The Elbert County tribune., 1908-04-02

To this time. she having stood in the
shadows OF the rear aud the lampIght
OF the room being very din. in their
excitement the concourse had not mo-
ticed her; but as Marina steps for
ward. some men turn away, a woman
whispers: " 'Tis pity the blood of
Pas1usle Paoli flows in her" and a
young cavalier remarks: 1--WE honored
your wedding, Madame Anstruther. but
then we did not know that you had for
gotten your oath of the vendetta and
We're mating with the slayer OF your
brother.Y
"Gaspardo." cries Marina, with a
gasp Of horror. my chiidhood's friend,
how dare you say this lie?" and stag
gering onto the platform, and seeing
condemnation, horror and disgust in
the faces she had known from child
hocd, the girl simply but with great
nobility OF manner, tells them how
Musso Danella, inspired by devilish
jealousy, had turned the articles in
dead mans trunk into evidence that
the English officer whom she had
nursed to life in the Egyptian hospi-
tails and whom she loved with her
whole heart, was the principal in the
duel at Ajaccio, the man who had slain
her brother
The beauty of the suppliant, with
the blood Of the great Corsican patriot
flowing in her veins, touches their pas
sionate hearts. A lady from the little
balcony seis:ag some of the cyclamen
Ianaratfanu ha all
over her, and her compatriots. whose
faces had been cold to her, fly around,
embrace her and beg her to forgive
them.
But there is one l Will not forgi re-"
cries the girl sternly; this Salicst,
Bernardo, who had known me in my
youth, who spread these reports all
over the mountains that | have dis
graced my very womanhood in giving
myself to my brothers murderer"
"A bas Saliceti." yells sheep farm
er from the valley.
"Demonios. his lies have dishonorcd
our race,' growls goatherd from
the slopes of La Pintica.
Leave him to u.s." says Bonelli
calmly; his hawks eyes are fixed un-
pleasantly on the candidate, who with
muttered ahathema is edging from
the platform.
With this, Corsica's favorite bandit
commands sternly: Men of Bocog-
nano, no one of you will cast your
ballot at the polls for this politician
who has disgraced our village. Other
wise you will hear from me- You will
vote for Signore Ambrose Lucitano,
the cigarette smoking statesman from
Ajaccio, who begs your suffrages He
may be a greater fool, but he is not so
great rascal as our fellow towns
mani Don't you even dare vote for
yourself" he cries, as the abashed
Saliceti flies from the room pursued
by jeers and execrations and even the
taunts of his own sweetheart, who is
still clasped in old Tomasso's arms.
Now, reparation to you, Signore
Barnes, the only one we cap.snake.
We will bear you in honor to Marina
home. where your bride now awaits
you. Your wedding fete was postponed
in Nice, | understand" the grim man
smiles slightly. I'VE will give you in
Bocognano a nuptial procession TO
bride whose lips are as unsullied as
when she made VOWS to you"
So, attended by the whole of the
Bellacoscia and many girls, who have
pulled down the floral ornaments of
the communal room, waving the flow
ers about him, and young men shoot
ing off their guns in his honor Barnes,
with Marina on his arm, is escorted
beneath the lantern-lighted chestnut
trees to the old mapsion of the Paolis.
AS they pass along the main street
girl comes running from the telegraph
office and places an envelope in Ma
rina's hand. After glancing at 1t, a
wild elation is in the young wife's
face. She whispers some hurried di-
rections to old Tomasso. and tripping
to Barnes side her step is as buoyant
as his.
tTo BE CoNTINuED)