Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-06-12

way of Civita Necchia-I would take that
and put the Atlantic, as soon as might be,
between me and my hopeless love.
One last glimpse, [ said, is all L ask. l
cannot even trust myself to a farewell.
Mrs. Townsend told me they were going
to a concert at the Barberini palace this
evening | am not asked there, but [ will
20 to the Goldona about the time they will
return AMI catch unseen, a look at her as
she descends from the carriage
The Paazza 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 angles with the Corso.
Up and down this narrow street | paced
between II and II o'clock that night
Once or twice [ fancied another cloaked
figure was engaged on the same errand, as
once or twice before when watching for a
light in Miss Nonberg's window | had al
so tancied | was not alone At last the
rumble Of approaching wheels was heard,
and l had Just time to conceal myself
behind one Of the huge column thatfanked
the portal when the coach came rafting
up. In another moment Mrs. ToTnshend,
followed by Miss Fonberg, had descended ;
/ the great entrance swung wide open. and
the elderly lady disappeared under the
glowing arehway. But her companion
paused for moment aud looked up aud
down the street as if expecting some one
Had the Prince promised 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 D ay
her a visit
Ajealous pang SHOT through ne 1t
was only for moment, however, that she
waited. After IA hasty glance up and
down the street, and an instant of eager
listening, she turned and entered the pOr-
tai, the carriage meantime driving rapidly
away. As she went in | stepped noiseless-
ly forward, my eyes hungry to follow her
till she disappeared entirely. | was so
absorbed that [ did not observe another
c.oaked figure which had been concealed
on the opposite side of the portal, and
which sprang lightly forth after me. All
| noticed was that Miss Yonberg suddenly
turned, as If detecting footsteps behind her
/ To escape recognition, l darted 10 one side,
throwing the cloak over my face. That
sudden movement saved my life. A dag
ger, that would have penetrated my heart
1T il had gone where it was intended, struck
me on tue shoulder blade and glanced off
but 1t was driven with such force that
coming unexpectedly as it did, it prostrat-
cd me prone on my face.
\ piercing shrek cut the still night air,
there was . rush of woman's garments, and
Miss Eonberg was kneeling beside me, en-
de4voring TO lift me up.
i" lie is murdered" she cried and never
shall l forget the agony Of thatvoice. 50 The
Prince mas done it, Then in whisper,
as her arms clasped me frantically, Oh
my l0ye''-
Could [ believe M ears Was 1t me
She called by that endearing epitbets For
a moment | remained passive In the dear
arms that encircled me, till, hearing the
I footsteps of the porter and Mrs. Townsend,
l was compelled TO rise.
" am not hurt, darling said l
was only stunned for a moment ''-
Thank cod" she cried, with a long.
eager look. Then she started back. the
color deuginE her face, her hands went up
TO hide it, and she burst into tears.
Ny arms were around her immediately,
in spite OF the spectators :. You know me,
l cried, YOU return my loye-oh mercituL
father what happiness
She looked up at me timidly.
Yes, [ know YOU" she replied softly
3. have seen you watching my window
some nights wanted to warn you
against the prince, but | never had a
chance. | knew your life was in danger,
and she broke down again.
The next morning found me an early
visitor at the Palazza GoIdona, for. as the
reader may suppose, l did not leave Rome
by the midnight train. My mistress met
me, al. smiles and bushes.
In love with Prince Borsia !" she
cried, Indignantly. when | confessed my
Jealousy. l an too thoroughly an Ameri-
can ever to have married any foreigner,
least Of all Prince Borgia. For weeks l
have done everything 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 manner toward you, have
| dreaded some such attempt as this for
I
/" 1t was Just that anxiety that I misin-
| terpreted, l cried. " 1t made me sure
that you loved him. [ thought it was for
him you were anxious.
She laughed lightly. You ought to
| have better opinion OF yourself | de
clare :" she added suddenly, starting from
my side, q do believe it was that propOs-
ed after all. Fie on you Faint heart
never won fair lady, sir
But | drew her again to me, and kissed
her and she nestled on ny bosom, blushing
and happy, and forgiving me. At last she
glanced up shyly.
q But have a confession to make" she
said. $ You won't be angry ?"
Certainly not. How could II"
Promise"
:" promise"
1t is something you ought to know be-
fore become your wife Perhaps-per-
haps, it may make you change your mind. "
She hid her face on my bosom again.
" Nothing can make me change my
mind"
&" Not if tell you" and she spoke in a
voice so low could hardly hear her, that
| was in love before ?"
l started Her hesitation, her whole
manner sent sudden chill through me.
Was it but the ashes of heart, then, that
[ had won p
q You promised she said hurriedly,
g not to be angry. And it may make
difference if tell you it was a long time
ago"
All" L cried, forcing smile, but no
words can describe my torture.