New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-12

at midnight by the way of Civita Veehia-
] would take that, and put the Atlantic, as
soon asmight be, between me and my hope
less love.
Zone last glimpse said, sis all ask
l can not even trust myself to a farewell
Mrs. Townsend told me they were going to
a concert at the Barberini palace this eve
ming. | am not asked there, but will 90
TO the Golden, about the time they will re-
turn, and catch, unseen, q look at her as
she deseends from the carriage.
The PalazZa GOldOna is one of the small
est of it's rank, and has not even court
yard. 1t is situated on a side street that
runs at right angles with the COrso. Up
and down this narrow street paced between
ten and one O'clock that night. Once or
twice faneied that another cloaked figure
was engaged on the same errand; as once or
twice before, when watching for a light in
Miss VOnberg's window, / had also fancied
l was not alone. At last the rumble of ap-
preaching wheels was heard, and had Just
time to conceal myself behind one of the
huge columns that hanked the portal, when
the coach came rafting up. In another mo-
ment Mrs. Townsend, followed by Miss Won
berg, had descended. the great entrance
swung wide open, and the elderly lady dis
appeared under the glowing archw8y. But
her companion paused for a moment and
looked up and down the street. as if ex-
pecting some one. Had the Prince prom
ised 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 doorway; never had
she looked more dazzlingly beautiful
A jealous pang shot through me. 1t was
only for a moment, however, that she
waited. After a hasty glance up and down
the street, and an instant Of eager listening,
she turned and entered the portal, the car
riage, meantime, driving rapidly away. AS
she went in, stepped nOiselessly forward,
my eyes hungry to follow her till she disap-
peared entirely. / was so absorbed that /
did not observe another cloaked figure which
had been concealed on the opposite side of
the portal, and which sprang lightly forth
after me. All noticed was that Miss
Vonberg suddenly turned, as if detecting
footsteps behind her. To escape recogni-
ton, | daFted TO one side throwing the
cloak over my face. A dagger, that would
have penetrated my heart if it had gone
where it was intended, struck me on the
shOulder-blade and glanced off; but it was
driven with such force, that coming unex-
pectedly as it did, it Frustrated me prone
on my face. fH
A piercing shrek cut the still night air,
there was rush of wOman's garments, and
Miss VOnberg was kneeling beside me, en-
deavOring to lift me up.
"He is murdered - she cried; and never
shall forget the agony of that voice. THE
Prince has done it." Then in a whisper, as
her arms clasped me frantieaily, ooh my
love-"
Could I believe my ears Was it me she
called By that endearing epithet For a
moment l remained passive in the dear
arms that encircled me, till, hearing the
footsteps of the porter and Mrs. Townsend,
/ was compelled to lise.
II am not hurt, darling ] said; 81 was
only stunned for moment
Thank God p 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 knew me,
/ cried; 'yOu return my love-Ohi merciful
father what happiness
She looked up at me timidly.
yes, knew you" she replied softly. II
have seen you watching my window some
nights. l 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 Wis
itOr at the PalaZza GOldOna, for, as the
reader may suppose, did not leave Rome
by the midnight train. Ny mistress met
me, all smiles and bushes.
I'm love with Prince Borgia," she cried
Indignantly, when confessed my jealousy.
Il am too thoroughly an American ever to
have married any foreigner, least of all
Prince BOrgia For weeks I 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 man
ner toward you, have dreaded some such
attempt as this, for know his jealous, vim
dictiye nature
at was just that anxiety Imisinterpret-
ed )" l cried. 'It made me sure that you
loved him. thought it was for him you
were anxious ......-....-.
She laughed lightly. 'You ought to have
a better opinion of yourself / declare ~
she added suddenly, starting from my side, /
IL do believe it was l that proposed, 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 my bosom, blushing
and happy, and fOrgiving me. At last she
glanced up, shyly. .........
"But l have a confession to make she |
said. "You won't be angry"
Certainly not How could y
Promise"
II promise
at is something you ought to know be- |
fore / become your wife. Perhaps-per- |
may make you change |
your mind"
She hid her face on my bosom again.
Nothing can make me change my mind" |
mot if / tell you" and she spoke in a |
voice SO low l could hardly hear her, ''thaU |
[ was-in lOve-before ~
/ started. Her hesitation, her whole /
manner sent a sudden chill through me. |
Was it but the ashes of a heart, then, that I
[ had WONT
''You promised" she said hurriedly, mot
to be angry. And it may make difference
f / tell you it was long time ago."
"Ah p ! cried, forcing a smile, but no
words can describe my torture.
''But-but--n she resumed, Il kept on |
loving him. Nay don't start-forgive me- /
1t was sort of youthful dream, you see.
He was my ideal of everything great and
noble--my Bayard, my Sidney, my Sir
LancelOt."
/ WINGED more and more. What was the
rack to this2
But, darling" tshe had never stopped,
but went on, -hurriedly), "it is you'll love |
that Only must tell you
all. / worshipped my youthful fancy till
ill the day on the Campagna. And now | |
nave something to return to him-not ex- /
lctly love token, but what 1 have kept as
mementO-."
"And YOU wish me to write to him and |
,end this-this mementOW I interrupted |
,urtly, and quite Withdrawing from her. ]
came very near saying. "never"
''If you please" she answered demurely, |
rising and courtesying As she spoke she |
Irew from her pocket small faded bit |
Of paper that had apparently been torn
from a memorandum book, and a thin, |