Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1912-06-18

was terrorizing province In Sicily un-
der the name Of Catana was Brandini
For awhile these wild rumors went
from mouth to mouth; then the poor
man was forgotten by the social world
as completely as If an ocean had closed
over him.
Miss Tracy read the information Inn
parted, and her sympathies went out
all the more to her former acquaint.
ance, especially at learning that bis
fall was not attended with disgrace
1t was hard for her to understand that
helplessness under which gentlemen
Of Europe who were not born to work
experience when they are thrown out
upon the world. 1t does not exist
certainly not to SO great an extent-in
America.
What could she do for Brandini
Nothing. The pride which had caused
him to fee from such help as he might
have received from his friends would
prevent his accepting assistance from
a woman he had known In that ex-
elusive circle. One of the unseen abyss
es that beset the way of those who
tread roseate paths had been sudden
ly exposed TO her vision.
The only effort Miss Tracy felt her
self In position to make in Brandinis
behalf was to inform her father Of her
meeting with the Italian with view
to learning if anything could be done
for him. Mr.. Tracy was disposed to
help one who had contributed to his
and his daughters pleasure In for.
eign land He went to the restaurant
where Henrietta had seen Brandini
described him to the proprietor and
was told that man answering that
description had left his service on the
day Miss Tracy had met Brandini
The proprietor did not know where
he had gone. That ended the matter
for the time being and possibly for.
ever.
But Fate, who delights in arranging
all sorts of complications for us, was
working the matter In his own peculiar
been determined by some slight Incl
dent such as missing a train, falling
into river or running up against some
one turning q corner. In this case tn
agent through which fate worked was
a newspaper. Some eighteen months
after Miss Tracy's meeting with Bran
dini in restaurant she advertised fol
a chauffeur. Receiving several replies
she appointed day and an hour wheI
the applicants for the position nigh
present themselves for inspection
When she entered the room where the,
were assembled and cast her eye owe
them whom should she see among thu
number but Luigi Brandini. His NOR
tification was apparent In his scarle
face. He made movement to retire
but changed his mind 1t was too
late.
Miss Tracy questioned the men ont
after another, dismissing them as soor
as examined until she came to Bran
DIM. Tho two stood alone together
Brandini looking as IL he would like II
escape Miss Tracy looked as IL sh'
would like to prevent him from doint
so.
For q moment she hesitated whether
to speak TO him as a former friend Of
as an applicant for the position Of
chauffeur. She decided on the lattel
course
HUonr ,ay,a ~, che ael,ad
Giovanni Ricadonna."
"How much experience have you hat
In running automobiles
"None whatever. signora. / am sure
I would not suit you. / should not
have answered your advertisement"
Nevertheless | like your appearance
and think that, after little practice
you VIII be able to drive my auto very
well. You are engaged"
Pardon me. signora. / am quite
sure | should not be able to- H'
stopped, bowed his head and fixed hii
eyes on the floor.
"Signor BraDdini," said the lady
"you are among friends"
There was no reply to this. He did
not even raise his eyes.
"You Romans" she continued, "were
very kind to US when we were In It
ally. My father, my mother and
were indebted to you among Others
for a very pleasant sojourn In your
Italian capital. Perhaps my father
may be able to help you out OF this
quagmire into which you have fallen
He raised his eyes to hers.
II wish you would consult him In
reference to your affairs. He would
consider it favor IL you would per
NIT him through you to return soms
Of the favors received from your coun
trymen while we were in Rome"
There Is nothing he can do for me
signora."
"You mean that your ancestral pride
win not permit you to accept any
thing at his hands. In that you art
wrong. Indeed. you are absurd. Yor
need some one to throw switch Il
turn the rails of fate and place you OF
the main track"
"Signora, you are apt at condensin;
the expression Of ideas"
"Give me your address"
He acceded to her request, and sh,
secured a promise from him to answe
any communication that might be sen
to him. Then she permitted him t.
depart.
That was some years ago. Nov
Luigi Brandini Is a member Of tn
italian parliament, and his wife, for
merly Miss Tracy, is prominent Fl
Roman social life and. possessing
fortune, can afford certain importan
charities. The Romans have oftel
tried to learn where Brandini passes
those years that he was lost to Rome
but have never succeeded. OF all con
cerned the Tracy family are the onll
ones who know that the legislato
once swung napkin In an American
restaurant.