Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-07-22

nelghborlng villa, and it was during hi'
walks he had met Drodata. She used to g
sometimes to see the lady at whose villa ht
was staying, and. after few meetings, he
told her he loved her. Drodata brought him
to her mother. and Ida Benell gave hel
consent to their marriage. She told him
there was no disparity in birth between
them, and that the secret OF her life should
be made known on the day Of the marriage
till hen, she wished the engagement to be
secret. Not even Carlo Malaspina, though
be was so good friend, knew of it,
Now, as he took poor Drodata home, he
first became aware of it. It was fortunate
for Lindau that Carlo could not leave the
poor girl, or the Cascine of Florence would
have been disturbed by summary act Of
vengeance When they arrived at the villa
poor Drodata dragged herself up to hel
room
Tell mamma, she said, as the tears
streamed down her face.
Ida Benelli listened with set lips and kind
ling eyes, He shall not marry the English
girl she said her father shall know what
a traitor he is
She went up stairs, kissed the poor tear
stained cheek of her girl, and went down
stairs. Come with me, Carlo she said
Mr. Halifax was at dinner, when he was
told he was wanted
who is it 2
"A lady. She says she will wait
Who is in the drawing room :?
Maud is there said Miss Halifax. She
said she would have some tea there instead
of dining with u.s.
When Mr.. Halifax had finished he went
to the drawing room. The lights had not
been lit.
He heard his daughters voice, conversing
with some one and as his eyes became ac-
customed to the gloom, he saw tall, slight
form leaning over the couch where she lay.
I hear you wanted me- he said, politely.
How can serve madame2'
At the moment the waiter came in, and
the light fell on Ida's face.
Good Heavens T said Mr.. Halifax. ida!
Have the waves given up the dead 2
is it you-you-you and the poor wo-
man fell at his feet.
What is tho matter, papa 2 said Maud,
sobbing. There was good deal Of confu-
sion at first, but finally Ida was restored to
her senses, and then Mr.. Halifax explained
and Ida explained.
He had married Ida Contarini at Venice
twenty years before. A year after their
marriage, just before the birth Of her child,
Ida's confessor SO filled her with fears for
her own soul and that Of the child about to
be born that the poor woman almost lost her
senses She determined to fly and leave no
trace by which she could be recalled She
drew her veil and mantle out of her gondola,
and, disguised in an ecclesiastical costume,
left Venice. There was rumor that she
had committed suicide. This was indus
triously circulated by the priest and poor
Mr.. Halifax left Venice miserable, and con
WINGED that he was widower Two years
afterwards, to please his sister, he married
young English girl, who died in giving
birth to Maui. He thought there was a
curse upon him, that all be loved should
thus be taken. He consigned Maud to his
sister. and spent years in travelling in
Egypt, India, China, Greece, syria-every
where but Italy-until he had been sum-
moned on account Of Maud's health. On
growing up Maud had shown signs of great
delicacy For the last two years-she was
now seventeen (Drodata was nineteen, but,
from her health and bloom, looked as young,
if not younger, than her sister -she had
been in Italy She had regained little
strength at Florence, had gone out little
in society, and had met Count Lindau. 1t
was we'll known that she was rich heiress;
he had prop sed and been accepted.
Mr.. Halifax, from the moment he had
returned from Italy, had become more mel
ancholy and gloomy than ever he seemed
haunted by bitter and undying memories
He felt that his daughter also would be
taken from him, and shuddered as he looked
at Ter. It was sad home. and Maud had
been naturally pleased at the cheerful, gent
al manner of the young Hungarian, and
looked upon her marriage as an escape from
the ever-deepening gloom Of her home
But, once the marriage was settled, Lindau
became cold and somewhat inattentive. The
quick instincts of wonanhood told Maud
that she was not loved she had heard
whispers of Lindau's admiration for some
beautiful fower-girl When she saw Dro-
data, she had an intuitive knowledge that it
was sha.
She was thinking of these things that
night when the waiter ushered in a lady
Ida had come up to her, and had also been
struck apparently by Maud's likeness to
Drodata.
In her beautiful pathetic voice Ida had
told Maud the purpose of her visit.
I have come to you to save you from q
mercenary man, as I would wish any one to
have come to save my child, had she been
thus betrayed and deceived. He must lose
YOU, as he has lost her. It was at this point
of the conversation that Mr.. Halifax had
entered.
Need | describe the happiness, tardy as it
was, of these reunited hearts ? Need dwell
upon the warmth with which the two sisters
accepted their new relationship? Need say
that Lindau was dismissed
About month afterwards, carriage on
all present. In it was Miss Halifax, and by
her side was lady of faded but exquisite
beauty. Opposite were two girls, SO alike
that, but for the paler complexion and slight
er from, they could scarcely have been
known apart. They we're Mr.. Halifax's
two daughters,
WAS not Count Lindau to have married
the pale one once ? asked young italian Of
his friend.
Yes, and he was in love with them both
believe; but he has left Florence now
| At present, should say the only man who