The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-09-17
AN ITALIAN
REPRISAL
Copyright. 1908, by Daily story Pub. Coz
BY HELEN NJ. GXVINS

duMnpOurS SO prevalent III Rome our
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 Janiculum
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 a
month, Willis had understood the ne
cessity of putting an end to the ro-
nance an idle spring day and peas
ants fete had been responsible for
It 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, so full Of distress! Who could
resist the 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-
tion popularly supposed to reward the
virtuous. 1t is cne thing to confront
a pair of beseeching black eyes, in the
role of 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-sacritice.
Now, avoiding procession of damp
pilgrims, in whom the odor of hu-
manity predominated over that Of
sanctity, the young man strolled down
the great nave with lowered head and
constancy of woman. Thus he did not
notice a bucket dangling from the end
Oh a rope until he struck sharply
against it. AS he recoiled 1t rose In
the air and he saw 1t was 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 contrivance until it
reached haven under board
stretched from side to side Of the rail-
In currpund;uU tho donna
"The signore might perhaps like to
see the work nearer. 1t is very inter-
esting," said fow-toned voice at his
elbow. in Italian.
The young man turned quickly, en-
countering a pair of brilliant, shifty
eyes, set in handsome face of the
better type Of peasant.
1T is forbidden to enter the dome
during REPAIRS" he replied curtly in
the same tongue.
But l have brother among the
workmen. See, 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. 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-
belled? His good looks deserved a
stronger hold upon her fancy.
How did you know l understood
Italian?" Willis demanded abruptly.
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 a 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, he determined to ac-
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 cooliy
pocket the key he had just removed
from the lock.
THE signore appears surprised" he
said, regarding Willis with a smile of
triumphant malice. "He has perhaps
never seen a rat caught in a 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 stiletto. Nevertheless he re-
turned the Italians gaze without
flinching, leaning against the wall, and
thr,etipg h}a hands nonchalaptIy {pto