The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-12-01

, surprise dl 4c6OuFC ~ CesesA~Aae ~ ~->~
subject, that she found herself gesticu-
lating and declaiming as if acting 1t
upon the stage.
"Oh, Signora. Signora, what is the
nlatter?" exclaimed the cameriera, "am
l hurting you so much then?"
mo, no, child, do not mind me, go
on"
She discovered tnat Lagouve had
managed to make the murder appear
necessity Prosecuted by the Corin-
thians who desired to give Jason's
children to his new Greek wife, Creusa,
Medea places them upon the altar Of
the Internal god, and, to save them
from violence, sacrifices them and also
herself.
Ristori was fascinated by the treat
ment of the subject, and not only de-
cided to present it in Paris, but il
became one of her greatest successes,
perhaps her greatest, because. in a part
of such sustained passion all possibil-
ity of conventionality was, perforce, ex-
cluded
In 1857 Ristori was playing in Madrid
at the Zarguelo theatre. The play was
to be Maria Stuarta. She stood attired
in the Golf and black robe of the I'M
happy Queen, surrounded by members
of the first HidaIgos Of Spain, who had
assembled behind the scenes to do her
honor
s'Tell me, she commanded turning
to the Duque, a well known enthusiast
in all matters dramatic, what was the
meaning of that bell 1 heard ringing
through the streets of Madrid by a.
religious confraternity?"
"Tt was" replied the Duque, for the
purpose of collecting funds for masses
for the soul of the unfortunate Chapado
who will be executed morrow; he
was a soldier, who in a fit OF passion
struck at his sergeant with his sabre.
Military law is concise, and Michele
Chapado will be shot at daybreak to-
morrow
Ristori seemed turned to stone.
*But Signor Duvue, is there no means
Of saving this unhappy man." she
asked.
Yes. the Queens full pardon, other
wise the law must take its course. Life
and death are in the hands of the
Queen. She can save him. Were you,
so iIlustrious a stranger. to request it
of her, perhaps, she might grant it as
favor; but all others have failed"
Ristori stood speechless. and almost
paralyzed, utterly forgetful of her sur
roundings and of the triumpns that
even then awaited her. Dared she.
alone and unaided, an actress, take
such a liberty?
She was fully aware that Narvaez,
the Prime Minister. was implacable and
cold He was at that moment present
in the theatre. She could see mis- stern
and severe countenarce through the
parting of the curtains Would he
listen to her?
Every vestige of color left her face,
and she trembled in every limb from
the excitement of tae undertaking she
had determined to attempt, but her
courage was invincible. Turning to
servant she commanded
Go and request the Minister Duque
Narvaez to do me the honor to speak
for a moment with the Marchesa Cap
ranica del GrilIo behind the scenes.
A few minutes after tne departure Of
the messenger, Narvaez was an
nounced, obeying the summons at once
with the courtesy of Spaniard.
To him Ristori addressed herself in
behalf of the unhappy Chapado.
Narvaez listened with the politest at
tention until sne had finished and then
he replied
impossible, Madame. 1t is impos-
sible to grant pardon; an example
must be made I, myself, entreated the
Queen to refuse when her tender heart
dictated the desire to grant pardon
This was at the municipality of Madrid;
what reason, therefore, can l give her
Majesty for my change OF oDinion?"
His words were uttered with all the
severity that his face indicated, yet, in
spite of all, there was a something in
his manner that encouraged Ristori to
still perservere.
The entreaties of a beautiful woman
have always great influence, and the
llluStTlOuS dCtItSS udu d great COIuIlduu
of language. Her beauty, enforcing her
words, were not without effect upon the
Prime Minister.
"Well, Madame" he remarked at
length, you must have your desire /
cannot yield, but you yourself may re-
quest an audience Of the Queen. Plead
the cause of the unhappy man before
her. Her Majesty viii at once fall back
upon the pledge she has given me, to
refuse in justice to the laws. If she
does, then send for me; we shall see.
The Queen was seated in the royal
box. At the close of the second act of
the play Ristori requested an audience,
which was granted.
Upon entering the box. she cast her
self at her Majesty's feet. clasping her
knees, kissing her hands, and uttering
broken phrases Of supplication for the
pardon of Chapado. Queen Isabella lis
tened to her smilingiy then
81 desire nothing better . she said