Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-09

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they might escape with shower Of
stones and cinders. But one night the
scarlet ribbons that had been trickling
like rivers Of blood down the rough
slopes turned toward the village and
fight was the only resource.
In few hours Caesar had seen his
vineyard and olive grove damaged be-
yond hope of reparation in his own
lifetime. From a wealthy man he had
become poor. Although he did not
notice 1t, Maria's affection had cooled
perceptibly from the moment when she
realized that her lover was now no
richer than his fellows.
Zabetta was gloomily preparing to
fee from her home at the coming of
the lava. To her whether she escaped
or not mattered very little. The cata-
clysm without found responsive echo
in her heart, fiery, scorched and
blasted.
With a small bundle of her belong
ings she was hurrying along the street
amid the ashes and falling stones
when a pale faced, shrieking figure
rushed past her.
Zabetta's hand involuntarily sought
her bosom, whence lurked the stiletto.
She was alone with her hated rival.
In that fearful semimidnight who
would know if she slew Maria?
The other shrank back, seeing her
stern face and guessing the import of
her bosomed hand.
Where is Caesar?" grimly question
ed Zabetta. Maria covered away.
81 left him at his house a little while
ago. The lava was coming. AS he en-
tered to get bundle the walls fell
and buried him. l dared not go in.
He Is dead"
Coward Kissed Zabetta. Drop
ping her load, she gave the shrinking
girl a push that fastened her flight,
then flew back through the lurid gloom
along the we'll known way that led to
Caesars house. Why she went she
did not know. Caesar was dead to
her. so her heart whispered. Yet in
stinct told her to hasten back.
Soon she saw the ruined house.
Only few rods away a red stream
was rolling slowly down the street.
She entered the tottering walls and
beheld a prone figure partly buried
under the fallen stones.
1t was Caesar!
Zabetta forgetful Of her own danger
and of the fact that he was the be-
trothed of another woman. Madly she
tore with bleeding fingers at the debris
that covered him. His heart was beat
ing; he was alive. With strength in
creased tenfold she tugged at the
wreckage until she had cleared away
everything but a heavy block that
pressed down the little finger of his
right hand This block resisted Ia
betta's utmost efforts.
1t was growing hotter and hotter.
A few minutes more and the lava
would engulf the house. Death would
be the portion of any living thing
therein. Zabetta drew her tiny dag
ger.
AZ tAut SdCodi lCtuI nSu W
consciousness. Seeing her bending
over him. knife in hand, he gave a
cry of terror and appeal and swooned
again just as the blade descended. 1t
severed his crushed finger at the Sec
ond joint and he was free.
There was not a second to lose. AL
ready the air was scorching With a
mans strength Zabetta lifted the in
sensible Caesar in her arms and car
ried him out into the street Through
the showers of ashes she staggered
with her burden. She had not got
fifty feet from the door when the lava
boiled against the walls and the whole
house fell in ruins.
But Caesar was saved!
So Zabetta kept her VOW. sworn on
the crucifiX of the little dagger, that it
should drink the blood of either Gaze
sar or Maria. And it was probably
the first instance on record where the
fulflllment OF a Gemella's blood oath
resulted in marriage.