The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-07
BY ALFONSO CELIA, of Providence


I that II she should try 10 awaken the girl,
| II might drive her quite out OF her mind:
and 40 the maid was unable 10 do any
| thing except mingle her tears with those
OF her mistress.
Fortunately. by and by II seemed that
| the mental wandering was decreasing and
Gabrielle. who had been gasping like an
expiring fsh. became calm. Closing her
eyes again, she breathed with less diff
Guilty than at first and tho beating OF her
heart was more rhythmical. Now and
then she moved on thee uncomfortable
couch as II her body was bruised but she
did not speak
Margaret did not try TO remove the
girl 10 her bed. hut contented herself with
sitting near the couch. lest Gabrielle
should fall of. much needed repose. IL
not a sound sleep. continued for a few
hours. Then with a heartfelt SIGH OF
relief, Margaret saw her open her lus-
trous eyes and heard her ask with almost
a serene countenance:
WHY am I here on the couch? And
yous too, have not gone TO bed. my dear
Margaret. oh! I remember, now" she
continued frowning, 'I was 80 tired
awfully ured-and with my nerves all
shaken, had terrible dreams"
you are the silliest and most dsobe-
dent child / ever had TO contend with.
and II you are going on in this way.
shdll leaVe you. so tere!
You don't mean II, | am certain. my
good friend. I'll he quiet. promise you"
And indeed, she kept comparatively tran
Gull all day long. allowing her maid to
attend TO the details OF housekeeping
Gabrielle was anxious 10 see Alfredo. as
they had arranged. although she had not
yet made up hSr mind about the course
to take In her final resolution. for the
more she was daunted by the numerous
dangers IN ofH
The hours were dragging by with fear
ful monotony: Margaret went up and
down the stairs and all over the house.
spying on Macheca's movements, while
from time TO time she went to look into
the attic from which Alfredo had TO de-
scend. In this way Gabrielle was often
left alone. warning with her thoughts. In
a single night. her heart had changed
from hope 10 utter, black despair. and
she was by turns. trembling with fear for
Alfredos endangered life, or flushed with
passion at the idea of eloping with him.
Not being we'll acquainted with the Ma
fia's power. she felt certain that by fol-
lowing Alfredo to some place far away
from New Orleans. she could save him:
while she was equally as positive that II
he remained In the city he would meet
the death already planned for him by the
society.
The horns OF this dilemma In which Ga
briella found herself. were both sharply
pointed; II caught on either OF them she
would suffer severely. There was no other
choice; she must either elope with her
lover. or leave him to be killed II was OF
no use TO take counsel with Margaret on
these points since the maid had herself
had proposed the elopement. Poor Ga
briella, bereft OF her parents, forced 20
avoid her uncle. without any other pro-
tector or companion 10 whom she could
49,. -
her own judgment TO rely upon In this
awkward predicament and she knew that
II was almost too difficult for her TO
come to any conclusion.
"Ohl My God," she exclaimed what
will become OF me? Who will advise me
in this dire perplexity7"
An idea flashed into her mind; her eyes
sparkled as IL with JOY; even a sad smile
appeared on her hps. and at the next In
slant Gabrielle threw herself upon her
knees. with her delicate white hands
clasped before an image OF Our Lady OF
Seven sorrows. which seemed to the girl
to be looking piteousiy at her.
Sobbing and moaning spasmodically be-
fore the image. Gabrielle prayed fervent-
ly with all her heart and soul, begging
help and protection from the Grand
Mother Of Mercy. The sight OF the i'm
ploring girl with her disheveled brsids
was very touching one and Margaret.
who crept noiseleesly into the room at
that moment, did not dare 10 disturb that
outburst OF passion. religious faith and
confidence.
Religion, Faith Two single words. still
two words full OF meaning In pain and !
anguish, in sorrow and distress. IL there |
We're no religion and faith, no one could |
bear the misfortunen and afrlictions with |
which this life Is strewn.
Napoleon the great said that n there |
were no religion IN this world. one |
would need TO be made, since religion Is |
the innate. inmost and prime controller |
OF human conscience. and OF all earthly |
affairs.
CTo be continued)