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

a competent fortune, and wished to finish
at German University Afterwards |
became an attache. and subsequently
travelled extensively. At last | began to
long for my native land Ten years in
Europe had only made me love the insti-
tutions OF my country the more But be
fore | returned to America | went on
farewell visit. To me, as to many others,
that wonderful city was the one city OF
the world, to which to 60 back again aud
again, with every increasing affection.
The morning after arrived, walked
to ST. Peters to hear, in the canon's
chapel, the music of Plestrina. While
listening to the chanting, happened to
glance up at one of the private galleries
on the left. and saw there woman's face,
so wrapt, so exalted, that for the time she
looked like one of Fra Angelica's angels.
''lt won't do" said my friend, Charley
llargrave, putting his arm into mine,
when the congregation was dispensing.
81 saw whom you were looking at, but
| she's above even your reach. She's been
| the belle of the season, my dear fellow.
and has had lots of ears and counts dis
putting her smiles. Stop, here she comes,
and Prince Borgia is with her, to whom
hey say she is engaged"
We had by this time reached the aisle
outside. As the lady passed, she looked
up, as if some instinct had told her she
was the subject Of our conversation. For
one moment our eyes met. A thrill went
through me. Never before had known
what love was. but from that moment
was hopelesslv lost.
| "Who is she ?" | stammered, when she
! and Upr f1aSSai Of hoo
/ "Nliss Nonherg, a great heiress."
| German ?"
NO, American, though of German de-
| scent, as the same shows. The gossip of
the last week, that she has finally made
| her choice, must be true, tor that was
| Prince B1rgil. rs / said before; and only
| some influential person. one Of the peo-
| pies guard, as he is, for example, could
have got permit to that gallery. The
Stately Old dame with them, too. was his
| mother; the other was Miss Vonberg's
chaperon. for she is an orphan You'd
have known all this, if you had been here
| through the winter, as have been Why,
the young English swells used to crowd
to the table d'hote at Miss Nonberg's hotel
in the Corso, Just to catch Il sight of her
at dinner. At last she had to move to
private apartments in the Palazza Goldo-
ma, to avoid being stared out Of counte-
nance"
Why was it that, notwithstanding this
friendly warning | went back to my hotel
to think OF Miss Nonberg?
Was | mistaken in fancying that, in
passing, She had looked at me with evi-
dent interest? All that day her image
was before me. At night | dreamed of
her; dreamed she had made me happy :;
and woke to find out my delusion. and to
wish | could have slept on forever, with
dreams so blssful
But sleep would not come again. Be
sides, | had an engagement with an old
diplomatic friend to accompany him, his
wife, and his wiie's mother on a drive out
on the Campaigns. There had been some
remarkable excavations made lately at
the Scava, which he wished me to see
50 | dressed breakfasted and Joined nv
friends
We had finished our Investigations, and
were about to re-enter our barouche. when
/ heard shrieks and the rush of wheels,
and, glancing up the road, saw a carriage
approaching us at full gallop. In vain
the cOachnan tugged at the frightened
steeds. On, on they tore, the barouche
bounding from side to side behind them,
threatening the lives OF the two ladies
who seemed to be occupants Of the car
riage, and from one OF whom came the
shrieks.
1t was but the work of an instant for
me to rush forward seize the nigh horse
twist the bit until threw him against his
fellow, and stop the carriage with lurch
that snapped the pole and sent the coach
man reeling from his seat. In an instant
my friend had come to my aid, the traces
had been cut, and all danger was over
| stepped to the door hat in hand to as
sist the ladies to alight The one nearest
to me, an elderly woman, whose shrieks
had rent the air.. fairly tumbled out into
my arms. 1t took both my friend and
myself, she was so hel lpless, to carry her
to the bank by the roadside where we put
her down. Then, leaving my companion
and the ladies of the party to attend to
her, | hurried back to the barouche.
But, before | could reach it, the other
occupant, springing lightly out, had met
me half way. Apparently she was as
cool and composed as if in her drawing
room at home. AS | began to apologize
for my delay, she threw back her veil
and smiled, revealing the face of Miss
Vonberg.
felt as if walked on air.
''How can we thank you sufficiently ?'
she said in the softest, most musical Of
voices Il had given ourselves up for
lost, when you rushed forward 50 brave
ly."
Never shall | forget the emphasis ON
these last words, or her look as she spoke
them. at was nothing" | replied, vet
my heart beat high and proud. "Noth-
ing more than any other would have
done"
"Pardon me-" she answered, Il do not
think so. 1t was an even chance that the
horse would trample you to death, and
only heroes take such risks as that" Her
great Juno-like eyes blazed as she uttered
these words.
She had stopped in her enthusiasm.
But now, as if sensihly she had been too
frank, she colored violently, and moved
quickly forward, saying, Excuse me,
but aunt, perceive, is calling me-
''How shall we ever get back to Rome ?n
cried the poor old lady, who had recover
ed from her faint. II never can trust
myself behind those horses again"
''lf you will accept them, the seats of
my friend and myself are at your service" :"
| said.
"But you will have to walk back to
Rome"
''That is tritie," replied
''The distance must be four or five miles.
But tor my aunt | could not think of ac-
cepting." She hesitated. 81 suppose there
is no other alternative. How can we ever
repay YOU She gave me her hand in
parting, smiling bewitchingly.
The long miles back to the Lateran
gate seemed but few steps, | was so in
toxicated with happiness.
Intoxicated with happiness and with
dreams that | soon found to be, alas
hopeless ones. For calling the next day
at the Palazza Goldona, the first person
saw in the saloon was Prince Borgia, to
whom Miss Vonberg introduced me- He
had heard Of the event Of the day before,
and he scowled at me as if had interfer-
ed with him. Miss Vonberg herself was
i'll at ease. She watched the Prince anxi-
ously, so anxiously, that in little while
| rose to go.