Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-12
NO. lib.
Gales aud Sketfhes.
LA RABBIATA.
looNcLUDED FROM YEsTERDA,

| W.
that | have as much right to you. as to go
to Heaven. If have been "A brave man. Do
you suppose that | am going to stand and
look on when you 90 into the church with
another, and the girls go past ne shruo-
g!ag their shouldersP Shall allow an out
rage like that ?"
| You may do what please. You will
| not brighten me by threats. I, too, will
do as | please"
You shall not talk so." said he and
| trembled in every limb. IL am man
enough TO stop such mad-headed thing
| from running my life. Do you know that
YOU are in my power, and must do what
| will ?'
| She drew herself together and her eyes
| glared at him.
| You may kill me, il you dare" she
said slowly
| "One must not do things by halves"
said he. in low voice. There is room
for US both in the sea. | cannot save you,
child. and he spoke pityingly, as though
IN a dream-"hut we must 90 down to-
gelher, both and now p The last words
came in decided way, as his arms were
| suddenly thrown around her. But he
| drew his right hand back in an instant,
| and the blood started where her frantic
teeth had left their mark.
| "Must do what you will ?" cried she,
freeing herself from him by an impulsive
| turn. Let US see whether | am In your
power And she dashed over the rail of
| the boat and vanished instantly in the
depths.
She came up quickly, her dress wrapping
| itself closely around her, her hair unloOsed
in the water and hanging heavily down
over her neck. Her arms struck out ear
nestly and swan, without a word. away
from the boat toward the coast.
Suddenly fright seemed to have deprived
him OF his senses. He stood in the boat.
learning forward, with fixed look bent
| upon her; as though miracle was taking
| p ace before his eyes. Then, as he recov-
ed himself, he seized the oars and with all
| the power he had, struck out after her,
while the bottom of the boat grew red with
the streaming blood.
He was at her side in moment, fast,
as she swan. "For Gods sake p he
cried. Come into the boat. have been
a madman. AS if struck from Heaven,
my brain was on fire, and did not know
| what | said or did. You need not forgive
| me, Laurella, only save your life and come
In again"
She swan straight on, as though she had
heard nothing.
| You cannot reach land. 1t is two
miles yet. Think of thy mother. If any
thing happens to you it will kill her."
She measured with look the distance
to the coast. Then, without word In
answer, she swan toward the boat and
grasped the side with her hands. He stood
up to help her; his coat, which lay on the
seat, slipped into the water. as the sk.ff
reeled over on one side by the girls
weight. She quickly scrambled into her
former place. When he saw her there he
| turned and seized the oars once more.
She shook and wrung out the water
from her dripping dress and tresses. Then
she glanced at the bottom of the boat, and
noticed the blood. She threw a rapid
glance at the hand, which, as though un-
wounded worked at the oar. There :"
said she, and reached her handkerchief to
him. He shook his head and rowed on.
She stood up at last,and went to him and
bound the handkerchief fast around the
deep wound. And then, as much as he
resisted. she took from one hand one oar,
aud. without looking at him. seated him.
self opposite and helped to urge on the
boat. They were both pale and breath
| less.
As they came nearer land fishermen met
| them as they were carrying out their nets
| They cried to Antonio and rallied LAUREL
la, but neither noticed them or answered.
The sun had not set when they reached
Marine. Laurella smoothed down her
dress, which was dry now. and sprang to
| land. The old woman whom they left
spinning in the morning, was standing
| h..r .Nla ..AI =, al
with your kand, Tonic" cried she, down
to them. "Jesu Christus, the boat is
swimming in bood!"
Ills nothing, Commare, answered the
boy. Il tore my hand on a nail, which
stuck out too far Twill be all right in
| the morning. The Internal blood makes
it look worse than it is"
IL will come and fix it for you, Com
parelo. Wait a moment"
| mo, no-don't trouble yourself, Com
mare. 1t is already done, and will be
forgotten in the morning. | am not
troubled by these little things"
"Addio - said Laurella, and turned
toward the path which led up from the
shore.
Good night p cried the young man af-
ter her, without looking.
| Then he put his boat in order and, TAX.
| ing out his baskets and other things, he
mounted the stone steps leading up to his
little cottage.
There was no one beside him in.the two
rooms through which he paced back and
forth He stood a long time before the
little picture of the Mother of God, aud
gazed reverently at the glory OF the silver
paper stars glued on to it, Sill n did
not occur to him to pray. And what had
he for which TO pray, since he longer had
aught TO hope for?
He felt dull, throbbng pain in his hand.
and, seating himself, he took of the
bandage. The repressed blood shot out
again from the wound. around which the
flesh was swollen stiff He bathed it care
fully long time in cold water. ..She
Was right" he said, when he saw the
| trace OF Laurella's teeth. Il was crazy,
and deserved no better. Giuseppe shall
take back her handkerchief in the MORN
ing. For she shall not see me again.