Nogales international., 1929-03-19

am thankful to say, yet, were it other
wise, | know that my strength would
linger with me till my oath is ac-
complished Till that day shall come
death itself has no power over me.
Even though its shadow lay across
my path l could still defy it. Think
not that l am blaspheming, Margha-
rita, or that | believe iii no God. l
believe in God of justice, and he will
award me my right. Oh, that the
time may be short, for l am growing
weary. Life is very burdensome, save
only for its end.
Sometimes, my beloved Afargharita,
you have sought to tighten the deep
gloom through which | struggle, by
picturing the happy days we may yet
spend together in some far-distant
country, where the shadows of this
great selfish world barely reach, and
its mighty roar and tumult sound but
as faint, low murmur. l have
listened, but / have answered not; for
in my heart / know that it will never
be. Those days will never come. /
have Shrunk from throwing a chill
upon your warm, generous heart; but,
Of late / have wondered whether / do
we'll in thus silently deceiving you.
For, Margharita, there is no such time
of peaceful happiness in store for me-.
| am dying! Nay, do not start Do
not pity mel Do not fear! know it
SO well; and / feel no pang, no sor-
row. The limit of my days is fixed
not in actual days or weeks, but by
events. / shall live to see my desire
accomplished, and then l shall die.
The light may flicker, but, till then,
it will not go out You will ask me:
Who am l that dare to fix limit
to an existence which God alone con-
trolls? / cannot tell you, Margharita,
why I know, or how, yet it is surely
so. The day which sees me free of
my VOW will also be the day of my
death.
Trouble not, my child, at this
thought, nor wonder why l can write
kof the end of my days SO calmly. Ask
yourself rather what further life could
mean for me. There is no Joy which
l desire; my worn-out frame could
find no pleasure in dragging out
tasteless and proftless existence. I
look for death as one looks for his
couch who has toiled and labored
through the heat of the day. I shall
find there rest and peace. / have no
other desire.
For yourself, Margharita, have no
fear. / have made your fortune my
care, and God grant that it may be
happy one. Honest men have made
good profit out of my lands during my
| Imprisonment. l have wealth to leave,
and it is yours. The Castle of the
Marionis will be yours, and we'll
know you will raise once more and
uphold the mighty, though fallen, ira
ditions of our race. / leave all fear
lessly in your hands, at your entire
disposal. Only one thing / beg of
you, and that without fear of refusal.
Marry not an Englishman. Marry
one of the nobility of our own island,
| if you can find one worthy of you; if
not, there are mobiles of Italy with
whom your alliance would be an
honor, and also profit. You will be
rich as you are beautiful; and the
first lady in Italy, Our distant kins-
woman, Angela di Carlotti, will be
your guardian and your friend. May
you be very, very happy, dearest; and
all that comes to you you will de-
serve, for you have lightened the heart
of weary old man, whose blessing is
yours, now and for ever.
'LEoNARDI pI MARIoNI." s