Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-07-21
AN ITALIAN
REPRISAL
lss. y BANS ssory pph. CO.,
By HELEN N. eIvINs

downpours so prevalent in Rome dur
ing the summer months, he was still
possessed by the sense OF injury tina
had been his ever since he had hur
ried down the slope of the Janiculun
an hour before, and had failed to Sc
little Rosetta leaning over the wal
near Tasso's oak.
At their last meeting, as she tolG
| him, between the bursts of weeping
of her fathers determination to have
her wedding take place within {
| menth, Willis had understood the ne
cessity of putting an end to the 70
nance an idle spring day and 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 sharI
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 distressl Who could
resist the temptation of seeing her
once more? Besides, had he not prom
Used himself to speak wisely and firm
ly. as became mature 20 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. II is one thing TO confront
a pair Of beseeching black eyes. in the
role OF a stern representative of duty,
and quite another 10 be anticipated;
TO find the play played out and the
curtain rung down, without any of the
plaudits so dear to self-sacriice.
Now, avoiding a procession of damp
pilgrims, in whom the odor of hui
manity 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
OF a rope until he struck sharply
against IT, As he recoiled II rose in
the air and he saw IL 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 contrivance until il
reached a haven under board
stretched from side to side of the rail-
ing surrounding the dome.
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-
a pair of brilliant, shifty
eyes, set in a handsome face of the
better type of peasant.
at is forbidden to enter the dome
during repairs" he replied curtly in
the same tongue.
But l have q brother among the
workmen. See, am taking him the
holding up a small basket,
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-
oelled? His good looks deserved a
stronger bold upon her fancy.
How Gid you know / understood
ttalian?" Willis demanded abruptly.
81 heard the signore speak to a 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-
ar 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 &C
,ept the offer he had been on the point
If declining.
Ten minutes later, stepping through
he doorway opening upon the mar
.ow platform surrounding the dome,
le heard a sharp click behind him,
md turned to see his companion coolly
pocket the key he had Just removed
rom the lock.
The signore appears surprised" he
aid, regarding Willis with a smile of
malice. He has perhaps
lever seen a rat caught in a trap. To
he must first regard the
Icaffolding closing the platform on the
eft"
The other had mechanically turned
o the point indicated Certainly the
eft was completely blocked by the
caffolding; but no matter-they could
,ass To the right
Still that smile of triumphant mall
ce Willis made a step forward, bnt
rather late the value Of
discretion, paused before the steely
lint of a stiletto. Nevertheless he re-
urned the Italians gaze without
~ I