The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1920-10-30
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THE MOMENT
OF FATE


lures that suggested certain Roman
nobility Of character about the great |
Italian tragedian was yet manifested
in the face, aged, fr1rrowed. but still
capable Of expressing the true fervor
of dramatic art.
had become first violinist In the
orchestra of the Thespian theater, and
a 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 Rizzio had originally made his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," 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 q modern drama
called 1.-THE Shadow" Of which
young man of genius and wealth, ALI
son Deane, was the author. The
opening night was distinct success,
and over our customary midnight
lunch Waidner and l discussed the
event and its principal Interpreter.
aYou have more than once told me
the story of Rizzio." said Waidner.
''Tell 1t to me again"
"He is the last of his race, noble
and intellectual family of Palermo,
IL narrated TO 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 Rizzlo
| from becoming victim to Unsuitable
assassins. He fed to American shores.
| There was a girl at home he loved.
Poverty came to her and she welded
| another. There was a little child,
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 ne
ever loved. You noticed in the lower
box tonight the bewilderingly beauti-
full young lady seated with the author
Of the playr'
.All eyes Toasted on the, radiant
creature" responded Waidner.
II understood that quite friend
ship has sprung up between those
two" / proceeded. 1T is the great
wish 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. It was quite natural
that they should do so, and the audi.
ences were pleased and interested, fol
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 IL
"Ophedra," when he first came on the
stage / noticed his glance fixed upor
the young girl he idolized and glin'
J Of pride and Joy came to their depths
! Following his gaze I observed tha
the dainty, graceful hand Of Celeste
bore upon one finger gllttering en-
. gagement ring. Never had I seer
| Rizzio act as he did that night. Thu
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 TAX
his place when he was gone.
remembered that In the earle
: years Of my knowledge of Rizzio,
; had many times heard other actor
say that he was ever possessed wit
the idea that some dark day the Paoli
would seek him out and complet
the vendetta sworn to nearly hal
century previously. I wondered
as the curtain raised on the last seen
of the tragedy, II Rizzio still broode
over this menace. 1t was later that
3 learned the cause of the presence !
Q his statuesque face of tensenes
= and agony he betrayed as he cam
+ upon the stage In the fifth and las
9 act.
{ 1t appeared that Rizzio had gone
9 the rear stage door. opening on littl
i court. to get a, breath Of the cool nigf
3 air to inspire him with freshness ft
. the great death scene In which tn
3 tragedy eliminated. He stood thei
alone for moment or two glancing
the stars and awaiting his call.
stealthy figure gained his side. b
fore he could draw back somethir
eiittered In the air In consonance vii
;, an upfffted arm.
d "The hour has comet" pronounce
stern. vengeful voice. 1.-THE Pao
- never fails! I"
q And then q poinard was driven
d its hilt directly between the shot
10 ders Of the doomed man. The ASA
8. sin fitted. RIzzio staggered bac
II then braced himself. AT that mome
- ~n no