The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1878-05-23

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tains OF the room like the sails of som
rapid bark. It was now midday, and al
was calm in Venice as in other cities a
the hour Of midnight, for the heat of tn
room kept even the gendolierie within
doors, But it was cool in the room il
which Beatrice and GiuliO were sitting
for the long blinds had been drawn down
excluding the sunshine and admitting
the breeze. She had been singing, and i
was from the flush OF her cheek and thC
tenderness of her tone as she closed The
eadenza that Giulio now first surmiseC
what might be the nature of her feeling
towards him, This was the song
Oh, sue not though for fortunes dover
With IsTdly pomp to gid thy 1ate
! Nor asK of cold, gfnbitiods power,
! ToCrown thee with naughty statsi
| Seek not for CONQUEST to eGtWine
| EnsanguiDed laurels In the hair
| But listen to this lay of mine
his OrisOn. this ardent prayer
Of " love me, love me!a
| Oh, if the nOontlde of thy heart
| With SORROW were ercast,
II grief had done its deadliest part
iii joy were of the past,
How gently mid such gloom would fall
The bTiliaDcy Of hopes joy-shine.
When thought on thCU mt would still recall
When first fond lips were pressed to thine,
With " love me, love me-"
The song had ceased it was simple mel
odY, but there was startling expression
of earnestness in it which struck to
Giulios heart. For brief space he sat
in silence, and then thus spoke to the
beautiful cantatrice:
p" Lay aside the mandarin, dear Beat
rice, and let us talk. You have never
inquired who or what l ana. / consider
you as my sister, and it is not well that
you should be in ignorance of this"
"Nay," said Beatrice, with smile
and blush, ~ will not own you as a
brother, and l will have no unraveling
of mysteries, Let me sing this barca-
role"
Beatrice" ssid he, with a grave air
asd earnest tone that suddenly chilled
her mirth: " Beatrice, this is the time,
for your sake as for my own, to have the
mystery unravelled, if it be worth the
name Of mystery. l am not quite what
l appear; in word, [ am of the royal
house of Spain; my mother was the
daughter Of a noble of Almaine; my
father is the Emperor Charles To
avoid a marriage of his choice, heart and
hand being plighted to a lady-love of my
own, | fed from Spain and became a
pupil of your fathers, as much from love
OF the art as to give my leisure pleasant
occupation"
But he spoke TO ears which heard him
not, for ere he had concluded Beatrice
was in a swoon. She was speedily recov-
cred and thus earnestly spoke to him.
"I did not know--I could not--that
we hada prince beneath our humble roof;
but whatever you are you must quit
Venice. 1t was but yesternight / heard
at the ridetto at Signor Barberigo's that
the proUedjt0ri had an order to arrest q
Spanish prince who was disguised and
concealed in Venice. l heard it by the
merest chance, as | stood near two nebib
who were talking together, and that the
arrest was TO be made tomorrow. You
must fly ,signor; it neither suits your safety
nor your honor that you remain here.
Venice wars with the Emperor Charles
my father, the most honored citizen of
Venice, has been distinguished by the
emperor, and the suspicion of having
Willingly harbored you would only be
equaled by the misery of your capture
here"
Giulio, or, as he should rather be
called, Prince Anthony of Leon, seemed
at this intelligence.
And whittier can 1 fyT' demanded
he, seeking counsel in this hour of peril
from Beatrice.
You named-you spoke of-you have
one to whem your faith is plighted she
must i'll deserve it il she will not shelter
you"
You speak wisely, Beatrice" /" said the
prince; cit is the daughter of sforza,
Duke of Milan, and with him, albeit he
is but a cold friend of my house, ner has
he much cause to be otherwise, I shall
fDd safety. And you, Beatrice ?"
"Of me-nothing- not a word now,
not thought hereafter. Here" added
she, tearing off necklace, here, if you
want the means wherewith to reach |
Milan. take this, / have no more need Of |
costly ornament"
This offer was declined, for the prince
had Jewels with him more than sufficient
to pay all charges. He saw the urgent
necessity Of speedy fight, penned
aasty billet OF leave and gratitude TO /
Titan, and then returned to greet Beat.
ice with q farewell He did not mark that
her lips were SIS pale as death and her
syes glazed, and her cheek and brow IS
I astonied. Her hand scarcely trembled
Ehen he pressed it, and, gently IS one
would embrace sleeping child, he kissed T
ser fair, cold brow. He was gone
And with him went the terrible de-
ermiration, which in this wreck of her
,eart's hopes had neryed her t, act this
lreadfui part, tc simulate indifference
ghile amid despair she felt The immot-
atty of love. She never moved nor
poke, and when at eve her fsther re-
urned he found her statue like. For