Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-07-16

so defined are her fears She but
vaguely conjectures cause for her
brothers absence: while he, rejecting
throughout the night, has OWNED it,
or at least fancies so, in either case
feeling sadly distressed. He knows his
son is not addicted to dissipation, and
it is therefore unlikely that anything of
that kind could be keeping him.
Though of cheerful disposition. even
to joviality, he would not so trifle with
the feelings OF his father and sister.
No. But one thing can explain his
non-appearance by the family fireside
inability to be there. And this can
only come from his being detained in
the city-forcibly-a prisoner. Not a
common criminal-Francesco Torreani
has no fear of that-nor malfactor OF
any kind. 1t would i'll become his
father to call it nalaction-the senti-
ment he has himself inspired. Let
that be left to its foes; for it is Lib
erty. The sindico of Val di Orno is
well aware of his sons political lean
ings of his being afflicted with the
'Societa di Liberatori," as he is himself
Fearless and free of speech, Luigi has
imprudently compromised himself, and
been caught, is no doubt chatting within
the walls of prison, it may be under
going some cruel punishment, for the
Cardinal Prime Minister of the Pope is
not only capable of this, but often puts
it into practice. The dungeons of the
Palazzo di Santo Uffizio could tell many
a tale of torture. severe in the olden
time, but equally SO in the year of our
Lord, 1916. Rejecting in this fashion,
the Signor Torreani and his daughter
pass the whole of Sunday and the fol-
lowing night in the most painful sus-
pense, for Luigi has not yet reached
home, nor have they had any news of
him.
The afflicted father can bear it no
longer, and on the morning of Monday,
at an early hour, he sets off for Rome.
The studio of the young artist as OF
most of those who follow his profess
sion, is in the Via Maruttag, where he
also resides. Soon as arriving in the
city the Sindico proceeds thither di-
rect; and without ringing bell, or 9TH
erwise announcing himself, enters the
house. The outer door he finds open,
as also that of the studio; and, step
ping inside, he sees easel, pallettes,
and other paraphernalia of painter,
but no artist-no son!
The room, however, is not untenant-
ed. Standing in the middle of the floor
is a young girl whose dress bespeaks
her of the class ''contadina." What is
she doing there? The Sindico desires
to know, but does not demand it in a
rude or blunt manner She has her
tovaglio on and looks as if she had
just entered from the street. And so
has she, as he is told in few words;
receiving the added information that
she has come to inquire whether there
be any news of the artist, and if he has
finally succeeded in making his es-
cape.
"Escape," exclaims the stalled faith
err From what?"
From the soldiers, Signore-in the
balloon"
"Soldiers-balloon! l do not under
stand you, my girl"
mo? l thought everybody in Rome
would understand that, Surely you
know what's happened to the pittore?"
Surely l do not. What has hap
pened to him?"
"Ah, very great misfortune;
though it may not end so; and hope
it won't. Poverino."
Speak. girl" gasps the apprehen-
sive parent. Il beseech you, tell me at
once"
You appear very greatly interested
in the Signor Torreani l suppose you
are his friend?"
Il am-his best friend"
"Then / need not fear telling you.
You see. sir. he is a prisoner 1t was
the carablnieri who had him in charge:
and for nothing. too; only because he
is one OF the Liberatori, and wants to
bring about the Italia Unita. or some
thing OF that kind. Well, they are TAX
ing him TO their guard prison at the
Porta di Popolo 1t was Good Friday
the fiesta, as you know-and the Pr
azza was full of people-a big crowd
that had gathered to see the balloon
go up. The soldiers stopped to see it,
too: and while their eyes were off him,
the brave fellow made jump and got
away from them. Oh! 1t was beauti
full to see how he shook them off and
sbrang over the ropes. But they might
have caught him again, for there were
more soldiers coming from the other
side; only by good luck, friend Of
his. a young gentleman, was going up
with the balloon, who just then called
to him to come to the car. The Sig
nor Luigi made rush and got into it.