The National tribune., 1889-02-28
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON, D. O., THURSDAY FE

took my hands in his. His face was aglow with
excitement and triumph. He could hardly
speak. / saw my little bracelet glitter on his
wrist.
Marietta-Maricttal"
Mia Carlo!"
"You are free-free!"
/ sprang to my trembling feet.
Free, Carlo?"
"Yes-yes! He is deadi"
I looked long and steadily at his flushed face
I held firmly his trembling hands, His eyes
sought not mine. A great horror crept over
me. 1t grew. l could not arrest it. Suddenly
it seized me.
"And you-you have murdered him!"
I shook myself from him, and fled with all
my strength down the deserted path.
Then came long streets that were growing
dark and that / did not know. Then came
busting crowds of many men and women, who
pushed me on every side. And there was the
roar of a thousand wheels somewhere-the
flashing of million lights. At last came
growing darkness, and l felt a strong arm
about me and hoarse voice echo as in some
cavern of my ear:
AAre you Ill, woman?"
And l knew no more.
When first my eyes were open dimly saw a
woman dressed in black standing by me, but
leaning over. She held something in her hand.
The curtains were drawn. 1t was quite dark
and very still. l closed my eyes again. AID
so it seemed to me for many days for nv
years. Very slowly God brought ne bsCE &,
life. When, at last, could speak and talk
little, learned all. Many weeks before had
tainted in the streets. Neither my name nor
address could be discovered. The police carried
me to this home of Catholic Sisters. Here
l had had violent fever, and lain for many
weeks between life and DEATH | had been
nursed back. | gained but slowly, but in three
months was able to be up and do what little
could to help my kind friends. l soon grew
restless. Twas afraid of my past; the specters
of my life. The good Sisters found me at last
a place. It was as a governess to family going
abroad. There were three children. Gould l
speak French Yes; and Italian? Gould |
play? Yes; on the piano and harp Had /
any references2 None. | was engaged. We
went to London, to Paris, Vienna-aIl over the
ployer decided to start back to America. When
it was determined | asked for my discharge.
1t was granted me.
was seized with a strange yearning. Ny
heart was dead. The circle of my sad life had
not one light or color left to give warmth or
beauty longer. I longed to bury in some living
grave every memory cf my past Standing on
the brink Of that abyss where ends our mortal
lives, where beneath all is black gloom and un-
solved mystery, what else for such as me to do
but drag my so weary limbs along and clasp
with yearning arms the cross upon which He
died2
With the little money had bought this
coarse robe and heavy knotted cord; put my
naked feet in these rough sandals, and one
darkened day took a staff in my hand and
climbed the stony road TO where the monastery
bells were tolling from the hill. l have been
here these many years. My other brothers
have been kind to me and good. They know
not my sex, only that try to do good and serve
my God. Have ] been, then, unWomanly2
know not. / only know that on this rude
bench, where oft come and sit to read; where
the shadows of the leaves above me fall gently
on each page, found rest and godly peace.
l let the bracelet fall upon the Holy Book.
| read: Let him who has no sin cast the
first stone"
And know that He will not forget prom
ise writ upon this page now wet with womans
tears.
"This" said the Count, ais the end of my
story. The links of the bracelet are complete.
Marietta has been dead these many years; with
her died the tragedy of life a life eneircled
by this woman's trinket-this golden hoop that
now | bind about, for the last time manu-
script forever hid from human eyes"
The Count sat down.
1T is curious story" said the man with the
weak voice.
"It is" said the Count quietly, "a true
story"
Lift me up!" sharply shouted the man at
the end of the table. The Lascars did so.
Gentlemen" he said, the meeting Of this
club for this month of November is now dis
solved. We extend our thanks to the Count P.
d. for his entertainment; and, as is my preroga-
tive, | name the excellent Mr. - to be pre-
pared ON the occasion of our next meeting
Dec. 23-to be the literary host of the evening.
Put me DOWN."
The Lascars lowered him in his chair.
Ito be continHed.l