The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-10-30
YELAZZI0'S DAUGHTER,

my old college chum and the dearest
friend I had in the world, had gripped
my shoulder, and whispered that i'm
pressive warning only week before.
"There's man named Velazzio, and
you've got to cut yourself free from
him-or don't be astonished if you're
presently asked to resign your club
membership. It's being talked about,
understand me? The fellow knows
you are hot-headed and have money.
He may be fascinating, but if he isn't
one Of the gang of italian Anarchists
conducted to the frontier last year
we'll, goodnight, Jeff!'
Yes, there was sword hanging over
mel could almost see it, but it was
too late to think of that. Velazzio
himself, with his indescribable fascina-
ton, [ could have shaken off by one
determined effort-but there was Nina,
his daughter Nina! Masters could
look pale and stern; but lie had never
seen Nina. In my place I was certain
he would have acted precisely the
same.
How had the deadly thing begun? I
hardly knew. Three months before
the man had happened to sit near me
at debate of q, local Socialistic
society, and from the first I had been
greatly struck by his face-of a waxy
wilderness, with big, shining eyes, and
a curling black beard At one minute
his expression was eager and wistful
as child's; at the next it would be
sneering and almost tigerish. Possibly
the attraction had been mutual. At
any rate, as stopped to light a cigar,
halfway home, a man overlook me. It
was the italian, and he paused as if
he had known me for years. He
volunteered to accompany me home,
and by the time my door was reached,
I was positively fascinated; but the
strangest part of it was that for the
next few days I seemed to run across
him wherever I went. Soon I found
myself unconsciously stunning old
friends and associations to be in his
company.
One day-whether it was part of
plan or not I never knew-Velazzio
went step farther. He invited me to
his house. Quite casually; besides,
somehow Or other, mp to the moihent
when he turned the key in his door
a dingy house in street turning off
the Strand-I had been thinking of
Velazzio as single man, who lived
alone with his dreams-as woman
hater. The truth did nor strike me
even when heard girls voice sing
ing-not until he walked into the room
with the calm remark:
"Mr. Jefferson, my daughter Nina
all have in this world to love!'
I am certain I stood with my mouth
open for o moment. His daughter
Nina! She had been sitting at the
window, over some bead-work. When
she turned and smiled, with carmine
spot springing to both cheeks, I knew
only one thing-that I had never seen
such woman as Velazzio's daughter.
Why, with those wonderful dark eyes,
shining as changeable as his own; red
lips, wax-white skin, and mass of black
hair--well, she looked as if she had
stepped out of an italian picture. If
Velazzio had asked me, as I left his
house that night, to become member
of his secret society, forswearing my
honor and previous ties for his
daughters sake, I do not think I
should have paused to reflect.
He was too subtle for that. A
month went by-a never-forgotten
month; at the end of it I was hore-
[essly i'll love with Nina and ready to
go any length to win her. Velazzio
appeared unconscious. It was not not
until he asked me in whisper one
evening to take charge Of some incrim-
mating documents, as they would run
ess risk of detection in my hands than
IN his own, thatI began to realize how
ar / had allowed myself to drift into
MS power.
''Will II" I repeated, hardly know
ng what ! said. "You know I would
30 farther than that, if you wish to try
ne. Velazzio, you surely must under
,tand--'
'velazzio is certain enough" he
puts in, "but the others-they are
'frail, without a stronger proof than
you might care to give" A pause.
He looked me full in the eyes; think
ng OF my money, perhaps, although
t did not strike me then. eyes, mat
ers will soon come to head now.
Meanwhile" he whispered, Glove does
lot always go hand-in-hand with
oyalty."
I walked home that night in a sort
# fever. Give up Nina, I felt I could
Tot, and yet I had an indescrib-
bile dread of the price I might have
o pay-of the true character of |
7elazzio and his associates. There
vas a full light in my sitting-room. |
entering carefully Itiptoed upstairs. |