The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-05-16

Dul u tle prince happened TO come IN,
she troze toward me at once. Was she a
t1irtp Everything contradicted this idea
No, she was pledged to the prince, and
afraid OF awakening his jealousy. Yet |
loved her in spite of all
The reader will say it was insanity.
Perhaps it was. Perhaps all love at first
sight is. Again and again had laughed
at such a passion; had called it boyish ;
and said it was impossible for a man of
sense; yet here was, at eight and twenty,
as much slave to love at first sight as
the veriest lad of seventeen! Night and
day L thought only of Miss Vonberg. |
haunted every place | thought I might
meet her-the Pincian hills the Bergese
gardens, the Villa Pamphailia, the opera.
the Corso. Her sweet low voice, her en-
chanting smile, her divine face and figure
was always in vision before me.
At last came a crisis. The princes
originally and hauteur deepened into al
most surely insolence. Once or twice
Miss Nonberg, | thought, feared an ex-
ploslon. shall never forget the implor-
ing look she gave me at ball, when the
prince, finding me at her side, quite for
got that he was a gentleman. That look
was the last drop in my cup of bitterness
''She is grateful to me for that dav on
the F4'npagna," | said to myself, land
had not the heart to refuse me an occa-
ional dance but she threw herself on nv
mercy; she begs me, I.v her looks, not to
incense the prince Why do stay here
to complicate matters? | cannot trust
myself much longer if the prince con
tinues to be 50 rude; there will be an
atfray and a scandal, tor her name will
be dragged into public gossip. Had I not
better leave Rome, anu so relieve her
from anxiety.
lay awake all night revolving this
sacrifice, and fell asleep in the early morn
ing. having resolved upon it, There was
Il train at midnight by way of Civita
Necchia-l would take that, and put the
Atlantic, as soon rs might be, between
nae and my hopeless love.
Zone last glimpse" said ''is all ask.
! cannot even trust myself to Il farewell
Mrs. Townsend told me they were going
to a concert at the Barberini palace this
evening. | am not asked there, but will
go to the Golden, about the time they will
return, ana catch, unseen, 4 look at her as
She decendS from the carriage.
The Palazza Goldona is one of the
smallest OF its rank, and has not even a
courtyard. 1t is situated on a side street.
that runs at right angle with the COr5O
Up and down this narrow street | paced
between ten and eleven o'clock that night
Once or twice iancied that another cloak
Ell figure was engaged on the same errand ::
rs once or twice before, when watching
for a light in Miss Vonberg's window, I
also fanced was not alone At last the
rumble OF approaching wheels was heard,
and | had Just time to conceal myself be-
hind one OF the huge columns that flank
ed the portal, when the coach came rat
ting up. In another minute Mrs. Towns
end, followed by Miss Nonberg, had de-
scended; the great entrance swung wide
open, and the elderly lady disappeared
under the glowing archway. But her
companion paused for a moment, and
looked up and down the street, as if ex-
pecting some one. Had the prince promis-
ed to follow them home? Or had he been
prevented from attending the concert
and did she hope that, even at this late
hour he would pay her visit? As she
stood there, her rounded white shoulders
CLEANED like Parian marble, in the door
way. Never had she looked more daz-
zlingly beautiful.
A Jealous pang shot through me- 1t
was only tor a mome t. however, that she
waited After a hasty glance up and
down the street, and an instant of eager
listening She turned and entered the por-
tai, the carriage, meantime, driving rap
idly away AS she went in stepped
noiselessly forward, my eyes hungry to
follow her till she disappeared entirely.
was so absorbed that | did not observe
another cloaked figure, which had been
concealed on the opposite side of the por-
tai, and which sprang lightly forth after
me. All | noticed was that Miss Won
berg suddenly turned, as if detecting
footsteps behind her. To escape recogni-
ton, darted to one side, throwing the
cloak over my face. That sudden move
ment saved my life. A dagger, that would
have penetrated my heart, if it had gone
where it was intended, struck me on the
shoulderblade and glanced off; but it
was driven with such force, that, coming
unexpectedlv. as it did, it prostrated me
prone on my face
A piercing shrek cut the still night air,
there was rush OF woman's garments
and Miss Vonberg was kneelng beside
He, tnutdNorluS 10 lllt me up.
= He is murdered !" she cried; and
never shall | forget the agony of that
voice The prince has done it," Then
in whisper as her arms clasped me
trantiaallv, "Oh my love-"
Could l believe my ears? Was it me
that she called by that endearng epithet?
For a moment | remained passive in the
dear arms that encircled me, till, hearing
the footsteps of the porter and Mrs.
Townsend, | was compelled to rise.
Il am not hurt, darling" said, 81 was
only stunned for a moment"
"Thank God !" she cried, with a LONG
eager look. Then she started back. the
color deluging her face, her hands went
up to hide it, and she burst into tears,
My arms were around her Immediately,
in spite OF the spectators. You know
me" | cried; .you return my love-oh
mercitul father ! what happiness !"
She looked up at me timidly
"1es know you," she replied softly.
81 have seen you watching my window
some nights. | wanted to warn you
against the prince, but l never had
chance. | knew your life was in danger
~ and she broke down again.
The next morning found me an early
visitor at the Palazza Goldona, for, as the
reader may suppose, 1 did not leave Rome
by the midnight train. My mistress met
me- all smiles and bushes.
I'm love with Prince Borgia, she cried,
Indignantly when I had confessed my
jealousy. Marry the prince, l am too
thoroughly an American ever to have
married any foreigner, least Of all, Prince
Borgia. For weeks / have done every
thing short Of rudeness, to get rid of him.
His mother, before he came to Rome, was
very kind to me, and | could not, for her
sake, treat him as | otherwise should.
Ever since that day on the Campagna, or
rather the day after, when saw his man
ner toward you, have dreaded some
such an attempt as this, for knew his
jealous indicative nature"
SIT was just that anxiety l misinter-
preted," | cried. ''IL made me sure that
you loved him. l thought it was for him
that YOU were anxious'
She laughed lightly. ''You ought to
have a better opinion OF yourself. | de-
clare" she added suddenly, starting from
my side, 81 do believe it was | that pro-