The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-08-28

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and finally, to put a barrier between
him and the world, took upon himself
the vows Of a religious order. He was
no longer Sir Edgar Malcolm but a
cowled and hooded monk, re-chris
tened Varoni.
Forty years have passed since the
day when u terrible misfortune drew
curtain between the heart of Edward
Malcolm and all worldly interests, and
Father Varoni is an old and venerable
man, beloved and respected in his order.
From Palermo, his field Of usefulness
has changed to Naples, where his life is
spent in binding up the wounds that evil
affections are ever making in the heart,
and endcavoring to pour. oil upon the
trou led waters Of passion
One day while at the confessional, a
servant belonging to family of rank,
divulgcd to Father Varoni a plot, of
which she had accidentally become cog
nlzant, against the honor Of q young
girl, the orphan child of a. deceased no.
Dleman, who had.s squandarcd his estate,
and left, at his death two children to the
care Of Il relative The individual en-
gagged in this unhallowed scheme was
Prince A lgardo, man of powerful con-
ncctions, great wealth. and unscrupulous
and determined character. The name
ot this beautiful girl was Marie Castel-
lcni. II had been arranged in the alb
scncc of Marie's uncle, that on certain
night an upper servant or steward of tho
family was, for large bribe, to admit
the prince, and leave the unhappy girl
in his power. If she yielded, well if
not, he was to carry her off by force
and escape to France Everything was
arranged, so that the moment Marie
was removed from the protecting roof
of her uncle, the flight was to begin
On the second night after the iuiqui-
tous scheme was divulgcd, the evil deed
was to be consummated.
Father Varoni understood the char
actcr of Prince Algardo. More than
once had he found himself called upon
to step in between him and his intended
victims, in which acts he had made the
prince his mortal enemy, and extortcd
bitter threats in consequence, notwith-
standing his religious character, if he
ever crossed his path again.
Father Varoni understood that this
was n, idle threat on the part of the un.
scrupulcus nobcman But he was not
by nature one who hcsi,aicd in fear of
personal consequences. He had seen
Marie Ca>tcloni few times, s,-though
she had never come to him as her spirit
nal father-and had been struck with
something in her face that reminded him
of other times aud places. Hers was
not al Italian beauty the white COM
.plexiou, blue eyes, and sunny hair, were
those of race born in a colder climate
That sacralcc must not be made,
said Father Varoni, as soon as the ser
want had retired
Marie resided at a beautiful villa half
mile from Naples. 1t was near thc
setting of the sun, and she was looking
down from a large window upon the
beautiful bay, when a venerable priest
approached and saluted her with pious
bencdiction. Marie knew bin as Faith
er Varoni, and invited him to come in
and rest himself
Once seen, no one could forget Father
Varoni His face was large, calm and
benevolent, while his eyes and lips gave
to his countenancc an expression of great
frmneSs and resolution. Throughout
Naples, he was loved by the good. and
feared by the evil.
p In the room where Marie was sitting,
played her little sister upon the floor
and soon after Father Varoni had come
il, inc two principal rctainers in the IA
mily entered, and not without feeling
Of uncasinoss, found Marie at the feet OF
the priest, listening earnestly to his low
spoken words.
Daughter, said Father Varoni as he
held the hand of the gentle moiden, and
gazing earnestly into her face, you do
not look like one of the children Of our
Italy. Your mother was not born III
this sunny regioni'