The Harlowton news., 1911-12-15
AN ATTEMPTED
REVENGE
BY SARAH BOYD VAUGHAN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

was one of the most splendid and de
lightful in the world young patrl,
clan, Leonardo di Guida. while ridir
in his gondola on the Grand lnal pas
ed woman who at once attracted b
attention. She was one of those ste
uesque beauties with lustrous eyes.
wealth of black hair, full round cheek
and lips. Instead Of lowering her eye
as Di Guida passed she brought thel
to bear boldly upon him.
Di Guida instructed his gondolier t.
turn about and follow the lady. Sh'
disembarked on the steps of hous,
near the rialto. Di Guida shot by &c
she was stepping from her gondol
She turned and gave him another looA,
The young man learned that thi
charming creature was Senorita Lnci
Aboti. recently arrived from Florence
He. being one of the prominent young
men at the doge's court. had no trouble
in securing an introduction to her. and
his visits at once became frequent.
Leonardo was at the time betrothed
to Blanca Vincenza, the daughter OF
Venetian noble, girl just the reverse
from Lucia Aboti-a pure. religious wo-
man, beloved and respected by all who
knew her. For awhile Leonardo was
like shuttlecock between the two In
fuences. though neither woman knew
Of the others existence. One night
after a visit to Lucia he went home
-,xsk La hvns ty, vvyhi ri In CIV v<v.
gled with himself till morning. when
he swore before crucifix that he
would never visit her again.
Lucia, expecting him the next even
ing. had all arranged to make him her
slave When the usual hour for his
coming arrived and he did not appear
she was troubled.
Leonardo fastened his marriage with
Blanca, and after the wedding they
were both exquisitely happy. Leonar-
do did not happen to meet his other
love for some time after his marriage.
Then it was at dinner. After TAX
ing his scat he looked up and saw I1u.
cia Aboti sitting opposite him. looking
at him. He expected to see some indi-
cation of resentment. He was agree
ably disappointed. She gently chided
him for not having invited her to his
wedding and asked him to tell her all
about his wife. who sat at another
part of the table, manifesting through
out marked friendliness.
There was no danger in all this to
Leonardo. Once he had conquered
himself he remained conquered. He
loved his wife. and loved her alone.
But he was deceived in the woman's
proffers Of good will, and when Lu-
cia begged him to bring his wife and
dine with her the next evening ne
consented He did not relish the en-
nifty Of any woman, especially on his
wife's account. Those were times
when death lurked anywhere, every
where, and if this woman were really
friendly he desired to fix her friend
ship, not to excite her enmity.
; He made confidant Of his wife
telling her all that had passed between
him and Senorita Aboti. urging Bian
ca to accept the invitation and thu:
avert an enmity. Blanca yielded re
luctantly.
The bride and groom were received
with the same marks Of friendship
that Leonardo had received at her for
mer meeting with the woman he hat
Tilted. Her expressions Of cordialit!
for his wife were especially warm
She kissed Blanca. but Leonardo saw
or thought he saw faint shiver pass
over his wife. When the three wen
into dinner Senorita Aboti placed th'
bride on her right and the groom oi
her left and seemed anxious TO d.
everything in her power to convince
Leonardo that she regarded the pas
! affair between them obliterated.
! The last course Of the dinner wa:
nuts and sweets. The hostess sa
cracking and eating nuts. chatting
glibly till in an almond she found
double kernel. Tossing one to Leo
nardo, she asked him to eat 1t. while
she ate the other He was about to pu
1t in his mouth when he saw his wifi
looking at him in terror. He paused.
I "Why do you not eat it?' asked Lu
cia. "You don't mean to tell me tha
you fear to eat anything in my house
There was a change Of manner AM
tone in speaking the words which seem
ed to indicate an intention to dominat
Leonardo to obedience by force o
will. He held the kernel in his finger
undecided.
"Well, then. give it to me. I'll eat
myself"
LET me have it," said Blanca unde
her breath.
Leonardo reached across the tabl
Lucia playfully tried to seize it, br
Blanca got it. Lucia turned ghastl
white.
"Comc," said Blanca; at is time II
us TO GO"
The hostess made no attempt to r.
sume her former manner. On her fat
was look of defeat, almost doom
ed expression. With silent bows II