The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-09-26
The White Haired
Stranger
By ALAN HINSDALE

Italian army, was 50 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 BIZ
anN Celllni. younger daughter Of
nobleman. The Cellinis were Of better
| blood than the Carranos, but there
| were a number Of girls In the family
to be married of. and on that account
Luigi was accepted as snitor for
Biancas 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
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 a 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 a 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 republic. Their
written evidence was forged. and their
principal witness was paid 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 a fortress for term Of
years. Since Blanca could not marry
the man she loved, she was finally
persuaded to we'd the Spaniard, who
carried her away to Madrid.
A dozen years passed. One day
man with white beard and hair,
whose other featur indicated that he
was prematurely old, appeared In
Rome. A man named Rodrigo Sanci,
a man OF good family, but whose pov-
erty had prevented his taking his
place in society. was sitting at 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.
Tho 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
ters 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 ap-
proach he'd him and sald
Good afternoon, Signor Cellini."
"You have the advantage Of me.
signor." replied Ricardo. regarding the
other curiously.
but know you. and know you to
be a liar and coward"
Cellini flushed and half started up.
as II to attack his accuser.
do not exert yourself here among
your friends. If you have any mes
sage for me 1t 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 1t not
been for the gravity Of the charge on
this account Cellini would not have
pressed the matter. There being no
choice for him. he agreed to meeting
at a point on the Janiculum hill above
point Of his adversary.
The stranger was now recognized as
the man who had killed Rodrigo Sanci.
and people began to wonder who
would be the next victim Of this re-
markable fencer. Rut after the last
duel he disappeared and never was
seen again In Rome.
Jose Herrera at this time was
widower. Whether his wife had learn
ed Of the way by which he obtained
possession Of her or on account Of his
cruelty to her. she died within few
years after their marriage. One day
Herrera was walking on one of the
streets OF Madrid when man with
white hair and beard INSTRUCTED his
path. Herrera shifted aside; the white
haired man did the same.
"Gct out Of my way" said Herrera
to him.
II was once In your way. and you
forced me out Of It, and that. too. by
dishonorable means. This time you
can force me to let you pass in one
way only"
"What IS that?"
"Promise to meet me tomorrow
morning at sunrise at the spot usually
selected for the settlement Of difficult
ties between gentlemen and YOU can