River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-09-10
AN ITALIAN
REPRISAL
BY HELEN NJ. GIVINS
Copyright, 1909, by Daily story Pub. Co.,

WHEN Willis ran into st. Peters
Wv to escape one of the sudden
downpours SO prevalent in Rome dur
ing the summer months, he was still
possessed by the sense Of injury that
had been his ever since he had hur-
ried down the slope of the Janicuium
an hour before, and had failed to see
little Rosetta leaning over the wall
near Tasso's oak.
At their last meeting, as she told
him, between the bursts of weeping,
of her fathers determination to have
her wedding take place within
month, Willis had understood the ne
cessity of putting an end to the ro-
nance an idle spring day and a peas
ants fete had been responsible for.
1t had all been idyllic and innocent
enough. Being a good fellow in the
main, and moreover, not wildly In
love, Willis was capable of sharp
twinge of conscience when he realized
the child's diStaste for a marriage
about which she had at first prattled
happily enough. But Rosetta was so
pretty, 80 full of distress! Who could
resist Ghe temptation of seeing her
once more? Besides, had he not prom
ised himself to speak wisely and firm
ly, as became mature % when advis-
ing inexperienced II?
Such, however is mans inconsist-
ency, that when the trysting-place ap-
peared, void of the trusting maiden,
he experienced none of the satisfac-
ton popularity supposed to reward the
virtuous. 1t is enc thing to confront
pair of beseeching black eyes, in the
role OF a stern representative of duty,
and quite another to be anticipated;
to find the play played out and the
curtain rung down, without any of the
plaudits so dear to self-sacrifice.
Now. avoiding a procession of damp
pilgrims, in whom the odor of hui
mainly predominated over that of
sanctity, the young man strolled down
the great nave with lowered head and
thoughts bitterly intent upon the in
constancy of woman. Thus he did not
notice bucket dangling from the end
Oh a rope until he struck sharply
against it. AS he recoiled it rose in
the air and he, saw it was a rude de-
vice for carrying water to some work
men who were repairing the mosaics
ornamenting the dome. Willis lip
curled with English intolerance of
such methods-his glance following
the unwieldy continuance until 1t
reached a haven under a board
stretched from side to side of the rail-
ing surrounding the dome.
1.-The signore might perhaps like to
see the work nearer. 1t is very inter
esting," said a low-toned voice at his
elbow in Italian,
The young man turned quickly, en-
countering a pair of brilliant, shifty
eyes, set in a handsome face of the
better type of peasant.
cit is forbidden to enter the dome
during repairs" he replied CURLY in
the same tongue
But l have a brother among the
workmen. See, l am taking him the
macaroni," holding up small basket,
as he spoke. Then, as Willis shook
his head impatiently, he added: 'The
old sacristan is also my uncle, SO, if
the signore pleases, l will gladly con-
duct him to the DOME"
Willis looked at the speaker with
more interest Rosetta had once point
ed out the sacristan speaking of his
great age and of his relationship to
her. Could this young man be the
cousin lover against whom the girl re-
belledp His good looks deserved a
stronger hold upon her fancy.
How did you know | understood
~
81 heard the signore speak to beg
gar at the door,"
Evidently the fellow had been fol-
lowing him. That he should wish to
conduct him to the dome was singu
lar coincidence; but he dismissed as
improbable the idea of any stronger
motive than the hope of a pos
sible fee, and, moved by an unexplain-
able impulse. ne determined TO &C
cept the offer he had been on the point
of declining.
Ten minutes later, stepping through
the doorway opening upon the mar
row platform surrounding the dome,
he heard a sharp click behind him,
and turned to see his companion coolly
pocket the key he had just removed
from the lock.
1.-The signore appears surprised" he
said, regarding Willis with smile of
triumphant malice. HE has perhaps
never seen a rat caught in trap. To
understand, he must first regard the
scaffolding closing the platform on the
left"
The other had mechanically turned
to the point indicated. Certainly the
left was completely blocked by the
scaffolding; but no matter-they could
pass to the right.
Still that smile of triumphant mall
ice. Willis made step forward, but
recognizing rather late the value of
discretion, paused before the steely
CLINT of a stiletto. Nevertheless he re-
turned the Italians gaze without
finching, leaning against the wall. and