Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-10-18
Two Races
They Occurred on the
Corso at Rome.
By r. A. Mitchell

| One Of the principal streets. II not
the principal street. In Rome Is 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 track and paved
But the citizens OF medieval Rome
were wont to assemble there, occupy
! ing stands erected there for the pnr
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 a scholarly person.
though manly and fond Of athletic
sports. Carancola was a 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 princi-
pal betting was on one or the other OF
their animals.
1t being known that Blanca Cellini
he cF
two principal participants in the race,
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 n preference. At races
every one bets. and two Of her friends
made bet TINT before she left the
Corso she would show her feelings
either for Edgnrdo BraDdini or Ro-
berto Carancoh.
When the riders dashed by, Brandini
La the lead. It was hoped by these two
betting men that she would give some
sign by which their bet might be de-
ci,lcd. But II there was any pleasur-
able excitement in seeing Brandini In
the lead or Caranccia behind there
was not sufficient evidence OF either to
warrant decision
When the rnce was finished Brandini
was the winner. Carancola coming in
third Canncola 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
mounting he went to her and the
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 Cnrancola without what followed
The man who had bet that Blanca
would show preference for Brandini
said In a voice loud enough to be heard
i've won" The other said nothing.
but Ii was evident that he assented.
Carancola flashed 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
well as the man she favored. 1t 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
aud passing his venomous words with
out notice. But Carancola had in him
some of the blood of the De- Medici
who in 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-
1 tralize his madness. he was plotting to
vent it upon her as well as her lover.
| At one ent of the Forum stone steps
lend 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
| s;antly.
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
| blaxx, . u,aa ha1ioyo1 thof Che Unuld