The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-06
BY ALFONSO CELIA, of Providence


land. exchanging scarcely word.
Alfredo now and then addressed Ca
briella with some expression OF endear-
ment and encouragement but no answer
was ordinarily returned by the girl. who
was stirred by the awful sight and the
revelations she had witnessed at the
dreadful meeting. while Margaret, pom
dering over the fate OF the young couple,
maintained an unbroken silence.
When at length they reached the car
rage they drove rapidly home and alight-
ed a block distant from Macheca's house.
At the door Orsini stopped. scarcely
knowing whether 10 escort the ladies
within or take his leave Only then did
Gabrielle. her eyes filled with tears. allow
herself to speak.
Come tomorrow night. Alfredo. and
we will talk the matter over"
Orsini. overpowered with conflicting
emotions Of love and distress. was un-
able 10 speak. Grssprng her hands in
his. ne was alarmed and dsmayed at
the touch OF the girls hand, which was
as cold &C ice.
You are i'll. my dear" he murmured.
gently pressing her hand.
Gabrielle gazed at MIN with a look
more eloquent than words.
you fools" Margaret interposed. lis
this the place to make lover" and she
pulled Gabriella's hand from Orsini's. to
whom she added
''Go home and take care Of yourself.
We will see you tomorrow night" And
without more ado she drew the latch key
from her pocket. opened the door and
pushed IN Gabrielle who still acted as II
In n trance.
After quietly closing the street door.
the girls mounted the stairs stealthiy.
and reached their room. Orsini. mean
time. stood as II rooted 10 the spot, until
he saw at the window. n slender figure
whose hand waved him adieu; and then
only he moved on with dragging steps,
Very unhappy and pitiable was the sit
uation OF the lovers, very fearful and
thickly sown with the most dangerous
schemes Of death. was their narrow path.
There they were linked together by love
and virtue free from jealousy. and con :
slant In the sweetness of their mutual
sympathy and affection, while hate. In
Justice and crime opposed. a strong bar
rier 10 their wishes.
Orsini could hardly hope TO avert the
inevitable sentence hanging over his
head. even by eloping with Gabrielle. He
knew how powerful and cunning the Ma
fla was.
How then. could an elopement with that
innocent girl benefit him7 II would only
OF present misery, besides jeopardizing
her future happiness and perhaps running
her whole life.
NO" he thought. as he pondered on
this oauestion on his way home. mot at
ALL II would be selfish and cowardly
on my part. as well "a useless.
II Orsini had not up to this time con-
sidered the matter in this light IL was
because he had never taken in earnest
the warnings Of Monasterio. These he
finally appreciated better when he real
lied fully the dire condition into which a
member ~ the Mafa could fall and from
which there was not the slightest hope
of escape: and II ne had urged upon Ca
briella the scheme Of eloping. II was for
the reaso that he had never been sure
OF the real condition OF affairs. Besides
he was spurred on by the vehemence OF
his love. and love does not always choose
the smoothest path to the gosl which
crowns all ardent desires.
But when knowledge Of how a perfect
lover should act came to his mind. then
the very same intense love for Gabrielle
urged him 10 save her purity. happiness
and life, and Orsinis thoughts drifted In
direction opposite 10 their former
course. and all his attention was concen-
trated on so arranging matters that Ca
briella might suffer as little as possible
from hs unavoidable death. and that ehe
might remain in the eyes of the world. a
woman whose faV name was without
stain whose purity all might reverence.
The only reward he craved was that Ga
briella should keep In fond memory the
man who had proved himself honorable
toward her at the cost OF his own life
Occupied with these thoughts. Orsini
staggered home. Once In his room. he
fat.y at 10
lighted a cigar. and having gathered the
material necessary for a considerable
amount of writing. he made his pen fairly
ny over the paper with n nervous swift
ness.
Only after two hours had passed. did
he stop and read over what ne had writ
ten. Then with a look OF satisfaction he
resumed his work.
ITO be continued