St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-06-10
Romantic Skettb.
THE AVENGER:
A ROMANCE OF THE APPENINES
BY JOHN II. V. ARNOLD.

The hundred windows of the Palaz-
"a Castin were beaming and sparkling
with myriads of luminous Jets over
hanging the startling scenes enacting
within. In the grand room of the Pa
lazza, the ever varying hues of the
costumes of the dancers now whirling
in the intricacics of the waltz, and
again seen in the picturesque meas
urcs of the contra, the sprightly sig
noria, with her luxurious ringlcts fall
ling in unhcedcd profusion over the
almost bursting veins of rich south
crn blood, leaning her classic head
losing herself in the excitements of
the moment, and little needing time,
as wasted away the grim morning
hours donnas waltzing around the
corridors, and the mobiles themselves
collected in other parts Of the spacious
mansion, talking over the varied incl
dents of the day, while they exercised
a true Italian surveillance over the
honor and interest of their young con-
ncctions.
On the piazza the neglected lover
muttcrcd his revcngeful thoughts, and
reposcd his eye, tired of its Jealous
watchings, with the brilliant scene
below, with the gardens of trees,
whose branches, fcstOoned with many
colored lamps, shed a silent luxurious
light over couple after couple of low
ers, as to and fro they moved, too full
ly occupicdwith their own happiness
to be discussing the marriage of Cata-
rina Castan with young Givolamo Es-
tcvcno, which they had come to cele-
bratc.
The union augurcd auspiciously.
The bridegroom, in the full flush of
dawning manhood, accomplished, am
bilious, handsome, with every distinc-
ton, had given his hand where since
boyhood he had placed his heart, and
the fair Catarina had freely joined in
the nuptials which gave to her one
whose talents had gained her admira-
tion, and to whom, with more than
sisters love she had looked up to
with all the heart worship her bright
sunny nature could corjure up. With
ont sigh to bequeath the past, with
rich and glorious future alone to oc-
cupy their vision, they had accepted
from the priest, with no tinge Of aught
but gladncss in their responses, the
bcncdiction which prayed for them a
happy life. The music still woke the
stiffness of the night air, and the
dance still continued with unwcaried
interest, but the happy Givolamo and
his bride had left the revellinG hun
drcds, and in the silence of their own
chamber sought in their own bliss to
contemplate tuturity as it awaited
them.
| \ =
We have left the abodcs of mirth.
Our mission is to the nuptial chamber.
The young bridegroom lies on his low
ottoman by the side of the couch on
which rcclincs the form of his own
Catarna. But why are they not en-
braced -? Why does not the brides
warm cheek rest ON his !? Why does
not his athletic arm encircle that Med
ccan form? Why are not her dark,
wavy ringlcts floating on his barred
breast? And why so still? The
wine cups are on the table, and emp,
ty Surely they have not so soon
tired of happiness. Both are asleep.
All, they both sleep in death His
lips do not meet hers but the white
! foam starts on them /; the blood is
streaming down from his expanded
nostrils, and the posture Of his limbs
bctokens the horror of his own fell
agony. And on the marble brow OF
her whom he had sworn to cherish five
short hours before, comes the thick
clammy moisture of unnatural death
, Oh mother Of that sweet bride, can
t those distended counterfeits be the
orbs which 50 lately sparkled bright
er, oh, how much brighter than the
/ diamond which still mocks the terror
of her position.
e There is some one more in that room
; "a large, swarthy man dressed il
the garb of higher class Of servants
e He stands with his head bowed down
: = before that stricken pair, Do no no
!: tears roll down his cheeks, nor sym
{ pathy show itself in his glance! Ha