The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-04-26
Duel to Death Over a Model.


the victor in the deadly duel, oue man was
killed instantly, and the other, whose bull
let had plowed through the heart of his
best friend and lifelong chum, turned his
own weapon against his breast and died
later in the hospital. The young woman
was one of many of the participants
| friends who witnessed the fatal combat,
and after she saw one Of her suitors carried
away in patrol wagon to the morgue and
the other hurried dying to the hospital,
she walked away as unconcerned as from
an afternoon tea.
This affair, which has no match in the
| police annals of Greater New York, oc-
CURED early this morning at Ozone Park,
a suburb of Brooklyn. The participants
Of the duel were Vincenzo Sica, % years
old, and Antonio Tiandino, 25 years old,
who roomed together at 2777 Ocean Ave,
East New York. Both men were artists
of considerable reputation in the best
Italian circles of New York. The young
woman, for whose affections two chums
slew each other, is Marie Allegreto,
dark haired girl of 20, whose beauty had
made her famous in the studios of Ma
pies before she came to America and
made herself the favorite of the Italian
artists of New York.
For months both artists have been pay
ing devoted attention to the model, and
although each knew that Marie accept
ance of the other would be the sealing of
his fate. their relations were as friendly as
ever and both vowed that the man Marie
chose for her husband would receive the
blessings of the other. Both had pleaded
with the beautiful model while she was
posing for the works that have made them
locally famous, to decide soon, telling her
frequently that her delay was only making
it harder for either of them to give her up.
The light hearted girl only laughed, and
said she loved them both so much it was
hard to choose.
To the friends Of the two young artists
it has seemed of late as thong h Maries
preference was for Sica. She seemed to
stay longer in his studio than was neces-
| sary. and as for Tiandino he could barely
induce her to remain long enough for
glass of chianti after she had finished her
posing. Tiandino tried to keep up the
outward appearance of comradeship with
Sica, but it was hard work.
Early this morning Sica and Marie were
returning from Brooklyn theatre when
Tiandino met them and chided the model
for accepting Seas attentions on a night
when she had promised to be with him.
Tiandino spoke so hotly that Marie hid
behind her escort and asked him to pro-
tect her. Sica then espoused her cause,
telling him that the girl had practically
assured him she would be his wife.
''She must not marry you until have
had chance to prove my love for her,
said Tiandino. 81 will fight you now for
the hand of Marie, and if you don't accept
my challenge you are a coward and un-
worthy the hand of the most beautiful
daughter of Italy,
Sica looked appealingly at the girl and
then at his friend. Marie S eyes sparkled
as though the exchange of shots for her
would be the browning triumph of her life.
Tiandino drew two revolvers from his over
coat pocket and held them before Sica.
81 love you both,'' said Sica, ''but [
can allow you to brand me as a coward
before my future wife. I'll take this
gum
With Marie walking between them the
two artists started for a patch of woods
where there would be no danger of inter-
ruption. They stopped on the way to
awaken several of their best friends and
took them along as seconds. The two ar
lists stepped 20 PAGES apart and began FIR
ing. Each had sent three shots echoing
through the stiffness of the wood before
either was touched, then Tiandino dropped
dead with bullet in his brain.
A shrek from Marie announced that
the duel was over. She ran to Tiandino'
side and placed her hand over his heart.
Then she arose, and as Sica hurried to the
side of the friend who had driven him into
the duel Marie arose and said:
Hes dead. Let 90 home
Sica dropped to his knees and kissed his
comrades head Then he jumped up
and, thrusting aside his sweetheart's hand,
he fled from the spot. In short time
the news of the duel had aroused the
neighborhood Many of Tiandino' S friends
vowed vengeance. The police reserves
were also turned out
An hour after the shooting when every
one supposed that Sica was miles away and
when Marie was jesting with new found
admirer over the death of one lover and
the loss of another, youth whose face was
disguised with false mustache and whose
features were enveloped in muffler, stole up
and joined the throng of curiosity seekers.
He elbowed his way to the spot where lay
the body of Tiandino. Then he drew
revolver, and pointing it to his breast, he
fired.
'sSica dies with Tiandino,'' the young
artist murmured, when a policeman bent
over him.
By strange coincidence the ambulance
that was summoned for Sica arrived with
the wagon that was to carry Tiandino's
body away. Sica died few hours after
he was taken to ST. Mary's Hospital.