Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-04-12

struggled prayed against my fate
every expression of love from Guerini
only drove my heart farther from him.
and filled it with yearnings for the
presence of Carlo. But parental au-
thority prevailed. Carlo came not,
and, an unwilling bride, I was led to
the altar by Guerini. I had been his
wife few months; in two days we
were to leave Rome for Naples. One
morning in leaving the Church of ST.
Agostino, note containing these few
words were placed in my hand. "Meet
me on the Bridge Of St. Angelo"
Carlo had come again; and ALIAS |!
alas | struggled with duty and feel
ing; | longed once more to clasp his
hand, and to tell him all my love and
all my Woe The struggle ended. and
went. My heart beat wildly as ap-
preached the bridge. There he stood
with the same patient smile; the same
calm lofty brow. All the love of my
girlhood rushed over me in fiery bill
lows, as it were, at the sight. "Oh, Ag-
nese," he said, at last, at last-have
we met at lastp' | could not answer;
JOY, love, despair bowed my head and
sealed my lips. q was I'LL could
not come sooner" he said, "but I am
here at last" "Too late-too late" /
sobbed out, and with agonized
grief told him all.
plead for pardon-for pity-and
oh my father, looked up to 1hee and
asked for peace. Carlo soothed me
with gentle comfort; but not one word
of reproach passed his lips. l exteld.
ed my hand to bid him farewell for.
ever. At that instant sword cleaned
in the air; one moment more and il
was plunged into his body. He fell
| shrieked loudly; and, as / looked
around, | caught the glaring eyes OF
my husband, and [ sank senseless or
the ground"
The signora paused. / looked at her
She was deadly pale, whilst large drops
of agony beaded her white brow. ]
shuddered.
what a fearful story. How spec
trally CLEANS the lamp overhead-hoN
dismally hangs the black curtain Oh
let us escape, signora, from the pres
ence of this awful skeleton How
could think you the happiest woman
in all Naples? What outward token
was given me by which to tell Of the
stormy waves that have beat so cruelty
upon your heart %
Hush !" she said; "let me finish
For weeks l lay ILL., When Invoke tc
to consciousness [ found myself il
Naples. One day my husband led me
hither and drew aside this curtain.
shuddered and shrank back. 'Ah
ah 7 he laughed moekingly; do these
dry bones alarm you? Methinks yor
once loved the clasp of the bony arms
sight will soon accustom you to this
hideous form, for before this grim skel
eton each day shall you say YOU
mathis and your vespers.' He CLOSED
the door, and was gone, whilst I was
left trembling with terror, standing
aghast before this awful skeleton"
[ grasped her arm. "And who?'
was all my trembling lips could utter
Carlo" she answered calmly; "this
is all | have left of Carlo; and, believ.
me" she added, "there lives not tha
person whose happiness is worth wish
! ing for; IN every house there hangs 6
black curtain, and behind it swings {
skeleton"
Faint, exhausted, terrified, l sought
my home to ponder on this horrible
story. Powerfully had been conveyed
to me deeply important lesson Con
tent flowed In upon me with a flood O
brightness. N longer [ wished fol
gems that flashed upon other brows
nor love that grasped with passionate
fondness other hands. And now, what
Signora Agnese said to me say to you
E'ary not the seeming happiness Of others
for, beEeue me, there IS an every house skeI
eton.