Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-11-10
Two Races
They Occurred ON the
! COrsO at Rome.
BY F. A. Mitchell

Oue VI Lue pIluClpuL bIiecIoi - NV
the principal street, in Rome ID the
Corso, so called from the fact that
formerly 1t was used for racing horses.
Gradually 1t was built upon and final
ly abandoned as a track and paved.
But the citizens of medieval Rome
were wont to assemble there, occupy
ing stands erected there for tho pur-
pose of seeing the thoroughbreds run.
One afternoon party of ladies' and
gentlemen occupied seats on one Of
these stands, among whom was
young lady noted for her kindness Of
disposition, as well as beauty. Blanca
Cellini had just come to a marriage
able age-much younger in Italy than
in colder climates, especially in those
days. Among her admirers were two
young men, Edgardo Brandini and Ro-
berto Carancola.
Brandini was scholarly person,
though manly and fond of athletic
sports. Carancola was descendant
of the Medici family, which at an
earlier date had been very powerful
and some of them stepped in crime.
Both these young men were to ride
their own horses in the race about to
take place on the COrso, and the prtnct-
pal betting was on one or the other Of
their animals
It being known that Blanca Celllni
was receiving tho attentions Of these
two principal participants in the race,
a great deal OF curiosity was aroused
among her friends as to which one she
would prefer to win. Yet so guileless
was her face, and withal so devoid Of
any expression Of appreciation of
either, that 1t did not seem probable
she could have preference. At races
every one bets, and two Of her friends
made a bet that before she left the
Corso she would show her feelings
either for Edgardo Brandini or Ro-
berto Carancola.
When the riders dashed by, Brandini
in the lead, It was hoped by these two
betting men that she would give some
sign by which their bet might be de-
cided. But II there was any pleasur
able excitement In seeing Brandini In
the lead or Carancola behind, there
was not sufficient evidence OF either to
warrant decision.
When the race was finished Brandini
was the winner, Carnncola coming Ia
third. Carancola was riding sullenly
back past the stand where Blanca
Celllni was seated. She called to him
to Join her party that she might in the
kindness Of her heart soothe his
wounded feelings ut his defeat. Dis
mounting he went to her and the
sympathy he saw in her face took
away something OF his disappointment
But I'm another moment Brandini rode
by, receiving the acclamations Of the
people as the victor. Blanca, turning
from Roberto, waved to Edgardo
showing every evidence that she
gloried In his triumph.
Now, this was quite enough irritating
to Carancola without whit followed.
The man who had bet that Blanca
would show n preference for Brandini
said In voice loud enough TO be heard,
L We WOls ht Olhtl buih hObhAhbt
but 1t was evident that he assented.
Carancola flashed n quick glance at
them and understood what the bet was
about without being told.
There was that In this sudden transit
ton from sympathy for him to delight
at the success Of his rival, TO say moth
ing OF the attendant Incident, that EN-
FILTERED Caranc0la against the girl as
well MS the man she favored. It was
the beginning Of smoldering fire
that grew more malignant as Roberto
saw that his rival was every day
getting nearer 10 the possession of the
prize he coveted. Then when the
betrothal between Edgardo and Blanca
was announced II burst forth with all
the bitterness Of an angry serpent.
Blanca. who from time to time met
with CarancOla. was perfectly aware
OF his feelings toward his rival, though
she did not realize that an equal hato
toward her was growing up within
him. She did all she could TO soOthe
him. always greeting him with smile
and passing his venom0us words with
out notice. But CarancOla had In him
some Of the blood Of the De Medlci
who In TT Of passion had killed two
Of his own children. lie was not to be
placated While she was endeavOring
by her sweetness Of disposition TO neu-
tralizc bis madness. he was plotting to
vent It upon her as well as her lover.
At one end Of the Forum stone steps
lead up TO the capital. EdgardO Bran
DIM was one night ascending these
steps when Roberto followed him and,
approaching him nOisclcssly, plunged n
stilleto In his back, killing him In
stnntly.
When Blanca saw the dead body Of
her lover for time her family de-
spnired Of her reason. When she came
out from the influence Of the crushing
blow II was believed that she would
take the veil However. weeks passed,
then months. while she remained with.
IN her home and was seen by no one
Then suddenly she appeared again in
the world But how changed! The diff
ference was not physical. II strlck.
en- bodily she did not show II. Her face
was not pale. her youthful beauty had
not been impaired. but the Madonna.
like expression IN her face was gone,
a aaa.IA