El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-09-21
By Reece Frother.

= THINK remember; it happened
in Corsica. The haII-a long. very
= long hall-gradually filled up with
people They asked for wine and cards,
coffee or dominoes Very seldom beer
and cards, never coffee and dominoes
together I noticed two or three fel-
lows with dark faces. golden spectacles
and white boards; they sat there with
out saying word. There were others
in tuxedOes and low cut vests who
ioked and laughed with the Mattresses,
who all wore a bow on the shoulder
At the door an officer stood smok-
I did not know the place and that
i was there that night was Just be
cause I had arranged TO meet my friend,
GiOjO RalTiti there While I was wait
ing for him a charming Young girl
brought me some Asti wine, and her
beautiful and expressive face imme-
diately made strong Impression upon
me.
I asked her to drink with me. but
she refused and darBd not ask her
again.
I had very serious matters to talk
about with him and forgot her. When
took Rivalti's arm and led him TO
wide glass door with yellow panes,
leading to a deep, narrow courtyard
We went outside. The night was
was floating on the gray sky, but still
one could not distinguish the most dis
tant part Of the courtyard. Oleander
flowers in beautiful vases filled the air
with fragrance and somewhere you
could hear the soft splashing Of a
fountain.
Il understand" Rivalti said "You
are in love" He seemed rather an 1
Perhaps" I said.
Rivalti went on and now It seemed /
to me as If there was a hidden threat I
behind his hooking words. IF It is /
MaHchina, then beware"
And then understood only: Her
name is Marchina."
Suddenly I turned my eyes toward |
the other end of the yard and was 4
sound as II somebody touched sand I
lightly. / could have sworn too that /
mysterious voice whispered my name D
AS I heard nothing more, I lit cigaq
The night grew darker. Heavy
clouds gathered like dark smoke on
the square piece Of sky outlined by
the walls Of the courtyard The clouds
came and went And, mad as i am
for I am mad tried to discover a
star, kept on looking for it, because
/ thought it was necessary TO find one.
But, alas! Only the moon was shining
pale and melancholy. And the water
mOUrnfully.
Il think we ought to go inside" said
Rtvalti II believe 1t is going to rain"
At that moment there came a sinister
moaning from the end Of the
yard farthest away. I shiVered-
GO inside I said to Rivaltt- I'VE
shall soon meet again"
Rivalti went away and was never
seen again, for that same night he met
with a violent death
I had reached the fountain, a semi
circular basin. not very deep. 1t was
Of white marble, here and there GOV
cred with green moss The water drip
ped down from a niche cut into the
wall, facing the entrance to the cafe.
On the left was an opening in the wall,
the entrance to the kitchen. On the
right was a flower bed covered with
heavy iron pipes can still see all
depths Of my grave, through centuries
IF centuries, I shall still see these l
poor crippled flowers peeDing forth
between the iron pipes.
who is that?" said a wOman's voice /
which I Immediately recognized
Without answering, I ran into the
lark bower in the deep shadow
'Ound Ma.rchina sitting on bench OF
moss in the midst Of flowers, high up I
angling. Her golden hair hung loose ,
around her beautiful head. I crept up
lose to her and sat down trembling
With fear and Joy.
A clock struck 10. Marchina took one
II my hands between he4 own and
What DO YOU want with I
I turned my head slightly. We sat
ace TO face, our breath met while I
We looked into one anOther's eyes, and I
n spite Of my confusion I felt that t
We were both happy, though our limbs +
hIvered as IL with cold
But I must have been mistaken
I answered slowly, drawing back 7
rom her: i do not know" and asked: {