The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-10-04
The White Haired
Stranger
By ALAN HlNSDALE

Luigi Carrano. young officer II the
Italian army, was so expert with the
/ foil that he was detailed for duty at
the Praetorian camp near Rome as
teacher Of fencing.
Luigi loved and was beloved by Bi-
anca Cellini, younger daughter of
nobleman. The Cellinis were of better
blood than the Carranos, but there
were number of girls in the family
to be married off, and on that account
Luigi was accepted as sutton for
Bianca's hand. Her father was dead,
and her brother, Ricardo, was the &C.
knowledged head of the family.
Not long after the betrothal between
Luigi and Blanca Jose Herrera came
to Rome from Madrid. On account of
his wealth he created quite sensation
In society at the capital. When he saw
Blanca he straightway fell in love
with her and made application for her
to her brother He was informed
that the girl was engaged, but he de-
termined to have her in any event.
Ricardo was always in want of money
and found ready lender In Herrera.
In this way the latter placed the for
mer so heavily in debt to him that he
found little difficulty in forcing him to
enter into plot with himself to get
rid OF Luigi. Between them they work
ed up case against Luigi of compiled
ty in conspiracy that was unearthed
about that time to dethrone the king
OF Italy and declare a republic. Their
written evidence was forged, and their
principal witness was paid a large
sum for his testimony. But Luigi was
not able to prove this. He was de-
graded from his rank in the army and
imprisoned in fortress for a term Of
years. Since Blanca could not marry
the man she loved, she was finally
persuaded to wed the Spaniard, who
carried her away to Madrid.
A dozen years passed. One day
man with a white beard and hair,
whose other features indicated that he
was prematurely, old, appeared In
Rome. man named Rodrigo Sanci.
a man of good family, but whose pow
erty had prevented his taking his
place In society, was sitting at a res
taurant table on the sidewalk in the
Piazza COlonna, when the white haired
stranger passed him and stared at him.
Sanci naturally returned the stare,
The stranger asked why he was thus
stared at. Sanci replied by asking a
like question. The stranger, taking
up wineglass from the table before
Sanci, threw the contents in the lat.
ter's face.
The next morning two parties came
together in a desolate place on the
Campagna. Sanci and the stranger
fought with swords used by officers
OF the army, and Sanci was killed.
The skill displayed by the stranger was
considered remarkable.
Within few days after this affair
Ricardo Cellini was sitting with some
friends in the Pincian gardens when
man with white hair and beard an
preached him and said:
Good afternoon, Signor Cellini."
You have the advantage of me.
slgnor, replied Ricardo, regarding the |
other curiously.
But know you. and know Won to |
be liar and a coward"
Cellini flushed and half started up,
as If to attack his accuser.
DO not exert yourself here among
your friends. If you have any mes
sage for me it will reach me at No.
= Via Rationale"
With that the stranger withdrew.
1t was impossible for Cellini to re-
tain his social position in face Of such
an insult without resenting 1t, and he
sent a friend to negotiate with the
white haired stranger. The latter re-
FUSED to give his name, and had It not /
been Tor the gravity of the charge on