The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-07

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Gemellas always acted promptly, But
she found Il difficult TO decide whose
blood the sharp point should drink.
Sometimes she felt II would be
Caesars, sometimes Maria's, and on
one black day when the two passed
her arm In arm she determined that
Il should be both and she had hard
work to restrain herself from putting
the sentence into immediate execution,
Then came the great eruption.
For generations Vesuvius, mutterinG
and grumbllng, had looked down on
the presumptuous vineyards and olive
groves, boldly pressing nearer the re-
gion where Il had decreed no living
thing should grow. unheeded II had
given warning after warning, like a
cross old man who Is continually max
ing threats, but whom no one takes ut
his word.
At last the giant that dwelt In the
mountains fiery heart decided that Il
was time to teach the forgetful race
Of men one lesson more, So pouf! He
blew of the cone and descended In
streams OF lava and sheets ,f ashes.
Boscotrase was one of ne worst
sufferers, For a time its citizens hoped
they might escape with shower OF
stones and clnders. But one night the
scarlet ribbons that had been trickllng
like rivers Of blood down the rough
slopes turned toward the village and
flight 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 wealthy man he had
become poor Although he did not
notice it, Maria's affection had cooled
perceptibly from the moment when she
realized that her lover was now no
richer than his fellows.
Zabetta was gloomlly preparing to
flee 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 semlmidnight 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 little while
ago. The lava was coming. As he en-
tered to get bundle the walls fell
and buried him. ! dared not 60 In.
He is dead"
"Cowardr' hissed Zabetta. Drop
ping her load, she gave the shrinking
girl push that fastened her flight
then few back through the lurid gloom
along the well 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 a few rods away a red stream
was rolling slowly down the street
She entered the tottering walls and
beheld prone figure partly buried |
under the fallen stones.
1t was Caesar.
The peril Of her former lover made |
Zahetta 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 heavy block that
pressed down the little finger of his
right hand. This block resisted Ia
1etta'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.
At that instant Caesar returned to
Seeing her bending
1ver him, knife In hand, he gave a
'ry Of terror and appeal and swooned
'gain just as the blade descended. 1t
severed his crushed finger at the sec
md joint and he was free.
There was not a second to lose. Al
'eady the air was scorching. With a
mans strength Zabetta lifted the in
iensibe Caesar in her arms and car
led him out into the street. Through
he showers Of ashes she staggered
With her burden. She had not got
fifty feet from the door when the lava
oiled against the walls and the whole
ouse fell in ruins.
But Caesar was saved!
So Zabetta kept her VOW, sworn on
he crucifiX Of the little dagger that II