The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-05-03

| II she was walking TO an execution
The doctor was watching for a favora.
bic moment when he could approach
the husband to hasten departure
deemed indispensable. Matieo ap-
preached him:
Doctor" said he, ego and take up
your hiding place of yesterday; you
know the beginning of the story, you
must know the end"
The astonished doctor obeyed, but
this time he made such arrangements
as enabled him to see as well as hear.
Scarcely had he taken up his position,
ere Matteo entered his chamber, fol-
lowed by his new mother and brother
btn-law. Giuseppe had common face
without expression, and did not appear
to be a very formidable adversary; but
the Signora Balbi, with her great height
and brilliant eyes, her eagle nose and
thin lips, presented striking contrast
to her son, and was, in fact, the only
enemy to be combatted The doctor
read in her face stratagem, dissim.
ulation, covert and patient hatred,
and IN the arched contour of her mouth,
the ferocious joy of vindictive woman
who has at last ensnared her prey
Matteo, as soon as he was alone with
these two persons, threw himself into
the arms of the Signora Balbi, kissed
her wrindled forehead and said:
"Oh, my mother, how great is my
happiness! To you owe the only joy
/ have ever wished-Louisa, your
daughter, who now is mine only! Oh,
a thousand blessings upon you, my
own mother You forgot your hatred
for time, that I might be thus happy!
| shall enjoy it but little while know,
but what matters it! am one of those
who would give an age for one day of
happiness and of lovew
"What is it you say w exclaimed the
Signora, endeavoring to escape the en-
brace of her son-in-law.
"You have your wrongs to revenge"
replied Matteo, "the blood of your hus-
band cries out against me you wish to
poison mew
"Who says it1 Matteo who has told
you so w exclaimed the Signora Balbi,
pushing the young man away.
"Yes," quietly replied Matteo, "your
lost fortune, your slain husband, all ex-
act my death at your hands. l know it,
and | give myself up; so much do !
love Louisa Another would have fled
i stay; | prefer death to exile! |
wish to die under the shade of my
beautiful olives, surrounded by the per-
fnme of my orange trees. Here, my
mother, is the disposition of my pro-
perty; it will belong to Louisa, you
will enjoy it with her. And here is
sure poison, not too painful, and which
leaves no external trace of lis existence
Take it, but allow me eight days, only
eight days of life and health At the
expiration of that time you may over
whelm your daughter with grief, such
as you yourself experienced. Young
and beautiful as she is, you may then
rob her of her husband"
At these words two springs of tears
filled the eyes of the mother-in-law
she threw herself towards Matteo, took
the vial of poison which he presented
to her and broke il; she seized the will
and tore it into pieces. 1t was then
that she threw her arms around Matteo
and covered him with kisses.
Let US forget the Dead" said she,
you are my son."
He is saved, thought the doctor.
The door of the chamber opened. 1t
was Louisa, pale and trembling, come
to seek out her husband. Her mother
fastened towards her, and pressing her
hand, said to her with an expression |
that Italian souls only know how 10 give
to their words:
ale has just taken thee, and I gire
thee to him ~
The nuptials finished gaily, the doc
tor made memorandum of the day in
his journal, and at this day they talk at
Oneille of the unalterable friendship of
the mother and son-in-law.