True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-11-05
THE HUSBANDS REVENGE

In the Magdalena Church a, Gurgenti
a town Of Sicily, in the vale di Mazarra,
on the ancient Argeganum, the magni6-
cent rims of which are still to be seen,
preparations had been made for a grand
festival, 1t was adorned as usual on such
occasions with red tapestry and flowers.
The hour Of noon had struck, the work
men had left the church., and there reign
ed around that deep solemn stiffness
which, In Catholic places Of worship is
so appropriate and so imposing.
Two gentlemen who conversed in low
solemn tone of vnice. we're pacing up and
down the long aisle that runs along the
northern side Of the building, and SEEM
ed to be enjoying the shade and GOODNESS
of the church. as if it had been a public
promenade. The elder was a man of
about thirty years of age, stout broad
shouldered and strongly built, with a
grave countenance, in which no trace of
passion was visible this was Don Anto-
MO Carracciolo, Marquis de- Arena
The other who seemed mere youth, had
slender, graceful figure, an anintate ted
handsome face, and dark eyes, soft almost
as that of woman-which wandered
from side TO side with approving glances,
as if he had some peculiar interest in the
interior of the sacred edifce. And such
he certainly had, for he was the architect
who had planned the church and superin-
tended its erection. He was called
Giulo Balzetti, and had only lately re-
turned from Rome. Suddenly they stop
ped.
"I shall en,rust you with a secret
which l think will amuse you. Signor,
Marquis" said the younger man, in an
easy intimate tone in which one speaks
to friend at whose house one is daily
visitor-"a secret with which | believe
no one is acquainted but myself. You
see the effects of acoustics, which some.
times play us builders strange tricks when
we least expect or wish them. Chance,
mere accident has revealed to me that
when one stands here-here upon this
white marble slab--one can distinctly
overhear every syllable even in the low.
est whisper uttered far from this, yonder
where you may observe the second con.
fessional; while, in straight line be-
tween this point and that, you would not
be sensible Of any sound were you even
much nearer the place. If you will re-
main standing here will go yonder to the
confessional in question. and you will be
astonished at the miracle of nature"
He went accordingly, but scarcely hat
he moved the distance of couple o
steps when the Marquis distinctly heart
a whisper, the subject of which seemed
TO make strong impression upon him
He stood as rigid and marble.white as i
suddenly turned to stone by some magi
clans wand; while the painfully anxious
attention with which he listened, and
which was expressed in his otherwise sto
ny features. gave evidence that he wa.
hearing something Of excessive impor
lance. He did not move a muscle-h,
scarcely breathed he was like one VIII,
is standing on the extreme edge of al
abyss, into which he is afraid Of falling
and his rolling eyes and beating hear
alone gave signs Of his violent agitation
In very few minutes the young archi
tect came back smiling, and called ou
from little distance, IL could not man
age to make the experiment for som,
one was in the confessional-from tn
glimpse I got. a lady closely Yelled
but heavens what is the matter will
you'd"
The only answer which the Marqui
gave was to place his finger on his mouth
and he continued to stand motionless. -
After minute or two, he drew deel
sigh. The statue passed out Of hi
speeChless magic trance, and returne,
again to life.
al It is nothing dear Giulo r. said he il
friendly tone. "Do not think am 30
perslilous but / assure YOU this misteri
Gus and wonderful natural phenomenon
had taken me so much by surprise that
had a strange sffec, upon me. Come 10