Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-04-15

they made a mock Of his love In all the
world he saw only her, thought only of
her A glimpse Of her beautiful face albeit
cold as marble TO him, was food and drink
life itself TO the poor scholar. All else was
less than nothing i'm his thoughts.
He discovered that she went on foot
every afternoon to attend vespcrs at the
Church OF St. Lucia, in the Via Traiano.
At first NE contented himself with watch
ing her from the shadow Of a pillar and
following her hOmeward at a distance. I'm
the church, no saint depicted upon its
walls, or shrined above its affairs received
such homage from those who worshiped
there as did the beautiful devotee from the
unhappy lover Whether she knew it or
not was impossible to discover from her
1mpassive face, a hundred times more i'm
passive than usual when she detected the
sorroWtul eyes fixed upon her as she knelt.
One evening, when she had fingered long
er than usual and the few worshipers had
departed, leaving her alone with him in
the church, he accosted her.
lie began by stammering appeal for
pardon for his b0ldness; bat surveying him
with look of naughty surprise she would
have passed out Of the church without a
word, had he not placed himself before her.
You shall listen TO me-" he said holly
Il love you; | am dying for you. God did
not give you such beauty that YOU might
destroy those who adore you with cruelty.
Have you no word of kindness for memo
pity?"
ALLOW me to pass" was her reply, "or
will call the sacristan"
Have you no hearth" he cried violently
Am l to listen to the rawlings of every
adventurer who crosses my path?" she
said, in the same cold tone
"Adventurerp' he gasped, his face flush
ing deep crimson with rage and shame,
" an adventurerr'
What else" she replied calmly. Glow
should you dare-a beggar in rags-speak
of love to me?"
II she had meant to insult and exasper-
ate him, she had succeeded but too well.
With his eyes starting from his head, and
the foam ON his lips, be glared at her a
moment; then, lifting his hand, he struck
her. 1t was an act of frenzy, the concen-
tration Of his long suffering and despair in
one supreme moment of utter abandon.
The next instant he was groycling upon
the ground, kissing the hem of her gar
ment, bathing it in tears and sObbing
prayers for pardon, self accusations, curses
Nb'h MS ONh bIANthlllg " MNllt SNt, tower
ing above him in her outraged pride.
gazed down at him with white face and
flashing eyes "Cowardw she said in z
slow, deep tone; Coward"
Eyes, yes" he cried, still kneeling;
worse than a coward villain, a dog!
Oh, that |, who would have died for YOU.
should have done this! Blasted be the
hand that was raised against you! But you
shall be revenged. Yes, myself will re-
venge you"
She made no reply but pushing him |
aside with her foot, went out Of the !
church, leaving him kneeling upon the /.
floor, weeping and calling maiedictions I
down upon his own head.
The next morning before she had arisen .
her maid brought her a parcel which had /
been left at the door by a messenger. Sup
posing IL to be some article from trades /
man she united the wrapping and found .
beneath a small wooden box Removing
the lid she gazcd within and dropped the .
box with a cry of horror
There, at the bottom Of the box. its fin I
gers contracted, as with the agony Of the .
blow was a mans hand severed at the .
wrist A bit Of paper lay beside it Oh
which were written these words:
THE Infamous hand that desecrated love /
You are revougedn
For long time she lay silent and
with the strange parcel beside
her Gradually the cold, proud expression
Of her features gave place TO a look never
seen there before. At last she arose, and
gazing at the severed hand for some mo.
ments lifted it from the box and kissed The
Iifeless fingers.
All that day she remained at home, in
the seclusion Of her chamber, and all day
q curious struggle seemed to be going on
in her mind. Now she paced to and fro in
an agitated way; again she sat in her chair
with her cheek resting upon her hand,
buried in profound meditation.
At nightfall she suddenly arose, dressed
herself in a plain walking costume, and
putting on a thick veil left the house
alone. There was no hesitation in her step
Is she went along the darkened streets to
ward the commoRer quarter of the city.
Arriving before large, gloomy build
ng, whose tenants were evidently Of the
poorer class she spoke to the concierge;
You have a sick gentleman among your
odgers?"
"Signor Carnese'" replied the man.
oh, yes, poor young gentleman. He is
badly wounded. He will not say how,
OUT
"Show me his room"
Whatever questions he might have felt
Inclined 90 ask were cffcctuaiiy silenced by
he piece Of gold thrust into his hand.
Leading the way to the very top of the
house, he pointed to a door, and saying
That is his room, signora," took himself
Town stairs again.
She entered the apartment cautiously.
The Door scholar was living uDou his he'd
With his face to the wall-she could see,
wen in the darkened chamber, how bag
yard and white it was. Outside of the
.overlet rested his right arm, bandaged at
he wrist. As she approached him he stirred
md moaned
"Water."
She found glass upon the stand near at
land and placed it to his lips She re-
moved her veil, and as she bent over him
lie saw her face.
"Youp' he said, striving to rise. But