The Shasta courier., 1867-01-26

name with a ring, that he might save her
and her kindred from further misery She
loved him for his goodness, she said, and
then sorrowfully added, was she not wrong
to permit this gay cavalier to visit her so
often, aud very wrong to have given him her
word to hide those visits from her husband? :?
Besides, how little she knew of the cavalier
himself? Nothing but that his name was
Jacopo," and that he looked the noblest
gentleman she ever saw. And how had he
come to notice her, ofshe him? Only from
seeing each other, dav after day, as she sat
at the easement. She had not meant to drop
the flower-indeed she had not-which fell
from her hands one day, and which he pick
ed up, and gained admission to return though,
after all he did not give it back, as he well
knew. How strange that, from that hour to
this, he had come so often, and yet she knew
nothing about him ?''
g Except that he loves youl" replied he
fervently.
Caterina put a rosy finger on his lips. and
with the other hand pointing to the chamber
where the old man slept answered reproach-
fully: Il am his, you know. and you
promised never TO utter words which | could
not hear without blush, or remember with
out remorse."
The sky had grown darker and darker,
and at that moment sudden peal of thun-
der shook the old mansion to its base; then
came the quick flash, and the crashing peal,
followed by another and another as violent.
In the silence that ensued, feeble voice
could be heard calling Caterina Caterina
and there was a sound as of one rising from
bed, and cropping about the chamber with
feeble steps.
Caterina started up, trembling helplessly,
but the cavalier. with presence of mind ex
tinguished the lamp.
"Caterina Caterina ~ and the advancing
steps were still heard.
vivid flash for a second flooded the whole
room as with daylight; and they saw the
old man standing, like spectre, in the
doorway, as plainly as he saw Caterina, pale
and covering, ana the handsome cavalier
bending over her.
Caterina Caterina - almost walled
the old man; &c did not think thou couldst
be false to me. Why hast thou done this ?"
The tone was one of agony, but not of re-
proaeh.
Another flash revealed the three again.
The old man staggered forward, with one
hand outstretched toward the cavalier, as
though trying tb speak. All was dark again,
but they heard a heavy fall. and the next
flash showed Giustino Canacci PROSTATE on
the floor
'Caternia darted towards him, and fell on
her knees.
Signor Signor y she sobbed out q
have erred, but | have not wronged thee as
thou tAinkest. | am not falsel Pity me
pity men'
The Duke bad lighted the lamp He rails
ed the old man in his strong arms and bore
him to the bed. Canacci was not insersible
he looked inquiringly not angriIy, into the
face. and murmured feebly, =" Who
art thou?"
Jacopo did not answer.
The dying ewes turned to the weeping
Caterina. . Poor lamb if | took thee to
my fold. it was because | knew it would not
be for long-it was only to shelter thee"
"And, oh bow i'll | have repaid thee
but only in hiding that Jacopo came to see
me, and that-that-"
That he loved thee" replied the man
and his lips tried impotently to form them
selves into smile. . So be it | only ask
that be will guard thee tenderly. | shall
not make him wait"
He laid the soft, little hand which was
claspng his in that of the cavalier, who took
it in silence. A sharp pang choked his ut
terance, but if he could have spoken, was it
possible to tell the old man that he could not
wear this upon his breast Was it possible
to slay Caterina with that knowledge in such
an hourl Some good angel tempted him to
do So even then, and save her and himself;
but the opportunity was soon lost Caterina
was soon bending over a corpse, wildly la
menting and accusing herself of having
caused the death of her benefactor.
The events Just narrated took place in No
vember. Upon New Years eve, heavy
fall of snow-very rare in Florence-kept
almost all Italians within doors, for they
ever shrink from cold The snow rendered
noiseess the steps of those who ventured
forth. and deadened even the sound of car
ria ge wheels
Two men shrouded in long cloaks were
hiding in the Via del Pelastri, near the
house where Giustino Canacci had dwelt.-
Once or twice they stole from their place Of
as though to reconnoitre, and
looked down the street. If a stray foot pas
senger chanced to get glimpse Of them. he
quickened his pace with shudder. The
trade of the assassin was well known in
Florence but 20 one dared to meddle with
another seeking for. vengeance.
A carriage approached noselessly. The
man who was playing the part of coachman
was evidently unused to such an office; be
drew up awkwardly few PAGES beyond Can
accis former residence. A lady wearing a
black mask looked out for a moment, when
the carriage stopped, then smoke, in a whis
per, to one within; there was no answer
but a man put forth his hand, opened the
door, leapt out. and walked boldly up to the
dark angle. where the two bravoes were hid
ing. This man was in no way disguised, ex
ceDt by the fumes of liquor, which usually
enveloped him and brought to the surface
the most british part of his nature
Almost any passer-by would have recogniz
ed him as Masso, a low, lawless fellow, the
only son of Giustino Canacoi by a first mar
riage.
He had never looked with favorable ewes
upon the pretty Caterina; but when he
learned that the bulk of his fathers large
fortune had been left to her, only an Italian
can conceive how be hated her, and how
open he was to overtures from those who
shared that hatred.
Masso exchanged few words with the
men. and then returned to the carriage.
Signors, he has not gone vet"
The lazy did not reply but signaled to
Linn to resume his seat in the coach.