The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-09-22
against the house for support.

for myself! It is the disgracel have
come here to marry her. and if I wait all
night I will have her! Money is nothing
to me. I can pay the police, order the
detective force out, scour the city,
The girl shrugged her shoulders. ''Oh,
well, 'z-god-a just-a so good fish in the
riv' ga come oud."
'tBut am not to be mockedr' The
old man was hoarse with passion. There
was majesty in his wrath which might
even have won respect from Carlotta
could she have seen him.
''She shall not mock mer' he contin-
ued. 'tEvery laborer down at the Plea
yune tier, every man on the luggers, all
my business comrades, everybody knows
the name of Carlotta di Carlo, and that
I come to marry her tonight. I have her
mothers promise. She must be foundy"
'Carlotta di Carlo ees-a no gread-a
name" she replied, still in English, toy
ing with her fan, ''Z-a my name just-a
the same lgue-a my cousin. Neva ees-a
bring me sudge-a so gread-a good luck. :"
just here the door opened at Pats side
and man stepped out. Fearing discov-
cry, he Immediately entered the house,
him:
"Carlotta ees-a run awayr'
''Z-a jump oud-a Window"
''Run OFF,
"Cand fne-a no place."
In the back room the mother was moi
silly bemoaning her misfortune, some
times in Italian and then in English.
''Come in, fo' God sague, Meester Pad, -
she cried when she saw him. ssCome-a
see wad-a troub' we CODA theeze day.
Come, loogr' Drawing him into the back
room, she pointed to the bed, upon which
was spread an array of 6nery.
''Loog-loog here! ALA fine silg dress,
silg pock-a-hankcher-s stockin-silg
hat keed-a glove eed-a shoe-gol
watch-a chain-gol ring-loog! Every
theen-a SO fine Signor Socola ees-a bring
Clotta fo' marry weeth-a heem to-
nighd-an C'lotta ees-a run away. SEE
to me, 'Muz-a lock-a door fo' wash-a N.Y.
selve'-just-a igue thad-an ees-a climb
oud-a window an gonei Oh, my God,
me, Pm-a crezzy!"
can had she given her consint, ma'am?'
Pat managed to ask at last. He had only
listened yet.
Consent Geev-a consent No! Geev-a
northern! Clotta ees-a god only Ska
teen year. Wad-a chiP igue that knowce
aboud-a man? Don know northern
boud-a consen'p'
''That's whut I say, ma'amr' 1t was
all he could do to hold himself, but he
remembered her he loved, and in her in
terest was silent.
His only fear, and this was slight, was
that they should find her.
A half hour passed slowly. At any
unusual sound in the front room every
one looked anxiously toward the door,
as in church when the bridal party is
due.
Presently distinct and sudden move
ment and a renewed hum of voices indi-
Gated that something had happened.
It was true. Something was happen
ing.
The old man Socola, leading by the
hand the other Carlotta, the cousin, en-
tered the room and approached the bed.
With dignifed inclination of his head
to the company and pointing to the dis
play of gifts, he said Che spoke always in
Italian):
81 present to Carlotta di Carlo those
presents which are marked in the name
of Carlotta di Carlo, and when she is
dressed as my bride we will drive to the
church. The announcement in tomor-
rows. papers shall prove that Pietro So
cola has not been disappointed"
Hesitating here and gathering empha-
sis by a lowered voice as he glanced with
menacing brow about him, he continued:
''What happens here tonight is in the
bosom of Malta societyr They could
have heard pin drop now. Malta;
children can keep her secrets. He paused
again and looked from one to another.
ssBut if there is a Judas here, If one
word passes that door, the knives of a
hundred of Mafa's sons are ready to
avenge it! And I am Pietro Adolpho
Socola who speakF'-
Pat was the first to break the death
like silence which followed.
''An accept me warrmest congratula-
tons, Misther Socola, he said, stepping
forward and grasping the old mans
white gloved hand.
Others followed closely. Congratula-
lions were in order, the new bride elect
receiving her accidental honors with Iii
concealed pride.
A fresh wedding stir arose, but be
meath it all was suppressed moan, like
the irresistible undertow of a playful
sea. The missing girl, the lost wealth.
the mystery, the humiliation, Mafia's au
thoritatiYe command of secrecy, with its
death penalty, all these, as elements Of
possible tragedy, were felt even by the
satellites of the new bride and showed
themselves IN the subdued air and
blanched faces of the family of the sup
planted.
Pat was the happiest person present
excepting perhaps the fat little creatur'
who In the next room was holding he
breath and painting, while one squeezed
another famed her and third burst Of
hooks and eyes In the determined efEor
to prove that the bridal gown designed
for Carlotta di Carlo had not proved ;
misit.
1t was relief to all when finally tn
wedding party started of.