Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-06-22
Two Races
They Occurred on the
Corso at Rome.
BY +. A. Mitchell

One of the principal streets. III not
the principal street, In Rome Is the
Corso. SO called from the fact that
formerly it was used for racing horses.
Gradually 1t was built upon and final
ly abandoned as Il track and paved.
But he citizens Of medieval Rome
were won't tn assemble there. occupy
ing stands erected there for the pllr-
pose of seeing the thoroughbreds run.
One afternoon u party OF ladies nnst
gentlemen occupied seats on one of
these stands, among whom was II
yuuuy lady noted for her kindness of
disposition, IA well rs beauty. Rlalra
Cellini had Just come to marriage
able age-much younger IN Italy than
in colder climates, especially In those
days Among her admirers We're two
Young men, Edgardn Rrandini and lto'
berto Carancola.
Rlandini was scholarly person,
though manly aud fond of athletic
sports. Curancula was descendant
o.. the Medici family. which at All
eurlier date had been very powerful
and some of them stepped in crime.
Both these young men were tn ride
their own horses In the race about tn
take place OH the Corso, and tue plinci-
pal betting was on one or the other OF
their animals.
1t being known that Blanca Cellini
was receiving the attentions of these
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 guile.cSs
was her face. and withal so devoid Of
any expression of appreciation of
either, that 1t did not seem probable
she could have a preference. At races
every one bets. and two Of her friends
made 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
III the lead it was hoped by these two
betting men fiat she would give some
sign by which their bet might he de-
cided But If there was any pleasur-
able excitement III seeing Brandini in
the lead on CarancOla behind there
was not sufficient evidence OF either to
warrant q decision.
When the lWce was finished Rrandini
was the winner, Caancola coming In
third Curancola 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 h $
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 nccalnations of the
people as the victor Blanca. turning
from Roberto. waved to Edgardo,
showing every evidence that she
glol'ied III his triumph.
Now, this was quite enough Irritating
| to CnrancolH without what followed.
The man who had bet that Blanca
would show a preference for Erandini
said in Il voice loud enough to be heard.
i've Won" The other said nothing,
but Ii was evident that he assented.
Calancola 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 az
Well as the man she favored. 1t was
f, the beginning OF smoldering fire
that grew more malignant as Roberto
: saw that his rival was every day
i getting nearer to the possession Of the
prize he coveted Then when the
+ betrothal between Edgurdo and Biancl
. was announced 1t burst forth with al
the bitterness of III angry serpent.
Blanca. who from time to time me-
with CaraMcola. was perfectly aware
g OF his feelings toward his rival, though
: she did not realize that an equal hat.
4 toward her was growing up witlil
him She did all she could to sootht
!. VIM always greeting him with Il sInil,
= and passing his vennmolls words with
out notice. Bot Cnrunrola had IN lin
some OF tile blood of the De Medic
who In nit Of passion had killed tW,
Of his own children He WAS not to b,
placaled While she WAS eIttaavoriil:
n by her sweetness OF disposition to nru
!. tl.liZc his madness. he WAS plotting Il
vent i, upon her us well rs her lover.
At one end of the Forum stone stel,
lead NJ to the capital. Ed=ardo Fran
DIM was one night ascending thes
y steps when Roberto followed him and
5 approaching him noiselessiy. plunged
stillctu in his back killing him In
T. stantly
When Blanca saw the dead body q
= her lover for II lime her family dc
SPARED OF her reason. When she cam
. ont from the Influence of the cr,lshin
blow it WAS believed that she woul
; take the veil. However. weeks PASSED
then months. while she remained Will
in her home and WAS seen by no ullt
Then suddenly she appeared again l
the world. But how changed! The Il ii
ference WAS not physical. III stricl
u ell bodily she did not show 1t. Her fac
:. was nos pale. her youthful beauty ha
a not been impaired. but the Madonna
s like expression in her face was gOn,
o and III Its place-so said those VIII