The pioneer-review. [volume] (Philip, Haakon County, S.D.) 1920-current, 1920-07-08
THE MOMENT
OF FATE
By VICTOR REDcLlFFE.

tCopyright, ls2u, western Newspaper Union J
It was twenty years since had
seen Luigi Rizzio, but the strong fea-
lures that suggested certain Roman
nobility of character about the great
Italian tragedian was yet manifested
In the face, aged, furrowed, but still
capable of expressing the true fervor
of dramatic art.
/ had become first violinist In the
orchestra of the Thespian theater, and
protege by my side had heard me
speak so often of Rizzio, but having
never seen him, that he was quite
eager and excited over the appear
ance of the greatest master in his
line. Rizzio had originally made his
success In "Ophedra," a classical mas
terpiece. He was billed for this the
last day of the week by the request
of old admirers, but In the meantime
was the star In a modern drama
called ''The Shadow" of which a
young man of genius and wealth, Alli-
son Deane, was the author. The
opening night was distinct success,
and over our customary midnight
lunch Waidner and | discussed the
event and its principal interpreter.
You have more than once told me
the story of Rizzio." said Waidner.
"Tell 1t to me again.
"He is the last of his race, a noble
and intellectual family of Palermo"
narrated for the fiftieth time.
"There was vendetta in the family.
One by one his relatives fell at the
hands of the vengeful Paoli family.
Exile was necessary to prevent Rizzio
from becoming victim to Unsuitable
assassins. He fled to American shores.
There was girl at home he loved
Poverty came to her and she welded
another. There was a little child, a
! girl. named after her mother, Celeste.
Ten years ago learned that
both her parents had died. Rizzio
had sent for the orphan and adopted
her. She has been the loving link to
his unhappy past. / hear that his
whole soul Is wrapped In care for
the daughter of the only woman he
ever loved. You noticed In the lower
box tonight the bewilderingly beauti-
full young lady seated with the author
Of the piay?"
I "All eyes feasted on the radiant
, creature" responded Waidner.
Il understood that quite friend
ship has sprung up between those
two" l proceeded 1T is the great
wi II of Rizzio's soul to see Celeste
well provided for before he leaves this
life"
Every evening of the week after
that the bright young pair occupied
the stage box. 1t was quite natural
that. they should do so, and the audi
ences were pleased and interested. for
the young author of the play was pop
ular and the fact that he was paying
attention to the adopted daughter OF
the impersonator suggested romanti-
cism. The last evening Of the engage
ment, when RizZio was TO appear In
"Ophedra," when he first came on the
stage / noticed his glance fixed upon
the young girl he idolized and CLINT
of pride and JOY came to their depths.
Following his gaze ! observed that
the dainty, graceful hand of Celeste.
bore upon one finger glittering en-
gagement ring. Never had seen
Rizzio act as he did that night. The
audience was entranced. and l knew
that his strength and power were sus-
tanned by the thought that his darling
one had gained protector to take
his place when he was gone.
remembered that in the earlier
years of my knowledge of Rizzio,
had many times heard other actors
say that he was ever possessed with
the idea that some dark day the Paolis
would seek him out and complete
the vendetta sworn to nearly half
century previously. ! wondered.
as the curtain raised en- the last scene
OF the tragedy, II Rizzio still brooded
over this menace. 1t was later that
learned the cause Of the presence In
his statuesque face Of tenseness
and agony he betrayed as he came
upon the stage in the fifth and last
act.
1t appeared that Rizzio had gone to
the rear stage door, opening on little
court, to get breath of the cool night
air to inspire him with freshness for
the great denth scene in which the
tragedy eliminated. He stood there
alone for moment or two glancing at
the stars and awaiting his call. A
stealthy figure gained his side. Be
fore he could draw back something
glittered In the air In consonance with
an uplifted arm.
"The hour has comet" pronounced
stern, vengeful voice. "The Paoli
never fails!''
And then poinard was driven to
its hilt directly between the shoul-
ders OF the doomed man. The assas-
sin fitted. Rizzio staggered back.
then braced himself AT that mo.nent
the call came for his appearance on
! the stage. With q powerful effort the
master Of the historical art straight
ened up. He drew costume cape