The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-07-30

order. Giulia had modestlv taken her place at
the lower end.
The hours passed in festivity, unmarked by
any of the company save the anxious gir At
the close of the banquet, Montageno rose, with
full goblet in his hand to announce the be-
trothal of his daughter, and pledge the affianced
pair. At that moment the clock struck twelve.
la Giulia watched the countenance of Gordoro;
she saw bewidered expression pass over it;
he gazed wildly around him, and vacantly at
Montageno, evidently unconscious of what he
he said =Ovr.- H ..SE ~512t5-a -'.*
a,a But when the announcement was made, and
the guests came to offer him and the countess
their congratulations, Cordoro sprang to his
feet. With flashing eyes he rushed towards
Giulia, and sank on his, knee before her
1T is to thee" he exclaimed, 'to thee, di-
vine maiden-soughts So long, and butnow found
that VOW Interchangeable oye will lead
none but thyself to the altar! I will remain at
thy feet till thou dost promise to be mine!''
Amazement seized all the company; Blanca
swooned in her fathers arms; the cardinal strove
to raise his nephew, but finally succeeded only
by the promise that Giula should be his. He
was led from the hall. The mobiles all held his
behavior to be caused BY too much wine. BIZ
anca alone was not to be comfored. The
guests dispersed to their several apartments,
and the feast was broken up in confusion
The next day the count Cordoro solemnly re-
newed his suit for Giulia's hand He seemed
to have no remembrance of Blanca, and gave
no heed to the remonstrances Of her father and
the cardinal 1l -| f.. '.. 51 49,"
Then said count Montageno--''If, count Cor
doro, could even forgive the injury you have
done my eldest child, and give you back the
word plighted by yourself, would not consent
that my youngest should be your wife. You
have broken, by your fckleness, the heart OF
the gentle Blanca; how could Giula depend a
moment on your faith?'
The count called all the saints to witness that
he would be ever true, and vowed that he would
slay himself were Giulia's hand denied him.
Here a door opened, and the pale Blanca
came from an adjoining chamber, where she
had heard all. With true dignity, she moved
toward the count, drew from her finger the ring
of betrothal and returned it to him. Then an,
nouncing her resolution to enter convent,
prayed her father, as last boon, to consent tc
the marriage of her sister and Cardoro
Montageno was forced to be content with the
decision of his eldest daughter. Turning to the
count, he said, 'Werc | not old and infrm
you had not thus escaped, but my Biancas pc
titionis sacred. no longer oppose your wishes
perhaps their fufilment may bring the seyerest
punishment for your faithlessness.''
Blanca RETIRED her sister was summoned, and
her hand being placed in that Of the count, the
two were betrothed according to the usual GER
emony. The next day the elder sister entered
a cloister.
On the return of Montageno, Codoro depart
ed, in order to prepare his own castle, and a
most magnificent reception for his young bride
Here he was taken i'll, and was reduced SO low
that his physicians gave up all expectation Of
his recovery.
Weeks, months, passed Blanca remained
IN the convent, Cordoro prisoner in his sick
room, while Giua impatienty awaited his saar-
rival at her fathers castle. Many times had
she visited the sybil in the wood. implorIng hel
to save her lover from death, but the old wo
man always shook her head, saying that he,
power extended not SO far.
At length the count was restored to health
and hastened to claim his bride, who received
him with well counterfeited bashfulness. Al
day for the solemnisation of the nuptials.
Giulia besought her father to give splendid
ball the evening before the bridal. Montagenc
could not rejoice while robbed of his Blanca
but he granted the request of his youngest
daughter. Invitations were sent out far and
wide, and curiosity to see the ugly maiden who
had so strangely supplanted her beautiful sis
ter. brought crowds to the castle.
The great hall was richly ornamented for the
occasion, and the ladies among the guests were
allowed to admire the splendid gifts lavished
by the enamored count upon his attianced bride
The men, on their part, only wondered how ii
could possibly happen, that man of such taste
AS Cordoro, could forsake the fair and lovely
Blanca for her deformed sister
Giulia was now at the summit OF her wishes
In robe of dazzling spendor, richly adorned
with jewels, she moved like a queen through
the numerous guests, leaning ON the counts
arm In the folds of her dark hair the bodkiu
glittered consplcuously.
Several of the peasants had been permitted
to come into one end of the hall and witness
the dancing. A large screen hid them from
observation. Among the spectators stood the
old witch Of the hut
AS Giulia, by accident. caught a glympse Of
the sybil shudder passed through her frame
Il entreat you, my lord,' she said to the count
"have that woman sent away; her looks terrify
me, and l am sure, bode no good
Cordoro instantly gave orders that the old
woman should be dismissed. She came from
behind the screen, and approaching the bride,
said angrlly, You came to my hut, lady, and
were Hospitality received; but there is no room
in your spacious castle for poor woman o.
whose services the highborn countess Cordore
was once not too proud to avail herself. go
madame, but entreat you to remember that none
knows the day till its close, and also that you
owe not to your beauty or goodness your trl
unph over your sister,
GiuEa looked embarrassed at this speech. A
fearful apprehension filed her breast. Tocrush
this painful feeling, she moved more briskly in
the dance, while many of the guests in like
manner kept time to the gorgeous mus ic.
She did not perceive that in the stirring ex-
ercise her bodkn had dropped from her hair.
Cordoro, who had watched her light figure
as she swept through the waltzes--picked up
the ornament and went 10 restore it. Sudden
y be uttered piercing shrek, and pressed bis