The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1916-07-13
! Two Races;
They Occurred on fhe
!. Corso at Rome.
BY F. A. Mitchell


Corso, so called from the fact that
formerly it was used for racing horses.
Gradually it, was built upon and final
~ abandoned as a track and paved.
But the citizens Of medieval Rome
were wont to assemble there, occupy
ing stands erected there for the pur-
pose of seeing the thoroughbreds run.
One afternoon a party of ladies and
gentlemen occupied seats on one of
these stands, among whom was
young lady noted for her kindliness of
disposition, as we'll 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 a scholarly person,
though manly and fond of athletic
sports. Carancola was a descendant
of the Nedici family, which at an
earlier date had been very powerful
and some of them STEPPED in crime
Both these young men We're to ride
their own horses in the race about to
take place on the Corso. and the princi-
pal betting was on one or the other Of
their animals.
It being known that Blanca Cellini
was receiving the 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 it did not seem probable
she could have preference. At races
every one bets. and two of her friends
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 if 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
third. Carancola was riding sullenly
back past the stand where Blanca
Cellini was seated. She called to him
to join her party that she might in the
kindness of her heart sOothe his
wounded feelings at his defeat. Dis
sympathy he saw in her face took
away something Of his disappointment.
But in 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 what followed.
The man who had bet that Blanca
would show a preference for Brandini
said in voice loud enough to be heard.
I've won.' The other said nothing,
but it was evident that he assented.
Carancola flashed a quick glance at
them and understood what the bet was
about without being told.
There was that in this sudden transi-
ton from sympathy for him to delight
at the success Of his rival, to say moth
ing Of the attendant incident that en-
Uttered Carancola against the girl as
we'll as the man she favored. It was
the beginning of a smoldering fire
that grew more malignant as Roberto
saw that his rival was every day
getting nearer to the possession of the
prize he coveted. Then when the
betrothal between Edgardo and Blanca
was announced it 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 hate
toward her was growing up within
him. She did all she could to soothe
him, always greeting him with smile
and passing his venomous words with
out notice. But Carancola had in him
some Of the blood Of the De- Medici
who in a fit of passion had killed two
Of his own children. He was not to be
placated. While she was endeavoring
by her sweetness of disposition to neu-
tralize his 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 noiselessly, plunged a
stilleto in his back. killing him in
stantly.
When Blanca saw the dead body of
her lover for a time her family de-
SPARED of her reason. When she came
out from the influence of the crushing
blow it 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. If strick-
on hOiilv Sho did NOT show il Her face