Page:010 Once a week Volume X Dec 1863 to Jun 64.pdf/230

 ONCE A WEEK.



be said that jg ki


 * irely

her

among

the pos-

commit

suicide.

Of the

be fields, it so

may

probably Such a case So true it is that id ich matters is ruled more

thi

>

.

!

!

,

icy

and the natural

idio-

than by any other order of syncrasies of race, espial raa the morning after the unfortunate at Santa Lucia, expedition to the old tower, clock in the forenoon ; the farmer I

and his son wave in the fields, and la padrona was engaged in household affairs, up-stairs. Giulia was busy in the kitchen, mechanically of little going through her accustomed round

when Corporal Tenda came into the It was the first time that Giulia and room. been alone together since he had been For it had been the object of at Bella Luce. of them to avoid such meetings. .

I

u will excuse me, I hope, for intruding on you, Signora," said the Corporal, saluting ry gravely, and with the same military h of the arm that he would have used to

" the Colonel of the regiment ; you will do me the justice to admit, that since I have been have not yielded to the temptation of og with you." >u have been very kind, Signor Capo-

I

said Giulia, sighing deeply, is

thing

me

against

" Pardon me ermit

me



"but

every-

"

and now



!

you the on learning that the .ess I had been presumptuous enough to is out of my reach. He made you that your happiness is the consideration I have in the world and villi,

of

my

I believe, explained to

feelings

.

first



that OSD be

promoted only fare of your cousin, then ur cousin becomes a matter of to me." 1

gratefol to

you



Caporale, "

I

ue

for again

inter-

i

id

will

iy,

1

my

pn

for the welfare


 * }'

.v

the

•••ii»

no way of avoiding absolute ruin and de-

is

Even if struction except timely submission. he could hope permanently to elude the pursuit of the troops and the police, what sort of a

life is

that of a bandit



—and

for such a

man

Be sure, therefore, that Signor Beppo the chance which has led to the certainty of r his capture, w hen he comes up to the tower yonder, is the best thing that could happen to Not the best thing, however for the him. best thing would be that he should surrender as

!

!

and I had hoped that you might " possibly have induced him to do so " But I intended to I try hard to do so voluntarily

!

!

did write to him, Signor Caporale, begging him I should have said all I could to come back. everything I could think of to make him come Oh Signor in, when I saw him at the tower. Caporale, why not let me try ? Why not let me meet him," said Giulia, clasping her hands, as a sudden ray of hope darted into her mind ; " why not let me meet him alone, and try to " persuade him ? " It would be against orders, against duty, I would not do it to save my neck Signora But I am not sure not from the halter. sure," he added, looking into her tearful eyes, " that I should not do it to merit your grati!

—

!

had been possible Happily for me, not possible. You forget, Signora, that it was not I who discovered the secret of your appointment with Signor Beppo, but two of my men. Even if I were to be willing to commit this breach of duty, I could not for the men know, as well as I, that it is our duty to take the defaulter at all hazards, and by every means. Signor Beppo must be taken on Sunday tude

if it

!

is



—

busithere is no help for it. ness was only to point out for your consolation that it is in truth the best thing that could

evening

My

happen to him and just to say that you may depend on me to make it clear to him, that his capture is not due to any betrayal of him

in

condescend to shall the sooner

yon of J

am

lot

but

There is a are posted all over the country. copy on the door of the Court-house up at It is perfectly clear, that there Santa Lucia.

it

for interrupting you, Signora to say a few words to you.

[Feb. 13, 1864.

that

any way." " Beppo will never, never, believe it he " but there was some thinks feeling at Giulia's heart, sore and bleeding as it was, that prevented her from going on to demonstrate what it was that Beppo thought which would make him proof against the Corporal's elo;

quence. r.

hs*| any donbtl

" said hope he will be more reasonable And now, Signora, 1 must little thought when I last did so that should see you again here, and under such circumstances. I shall not intrude Upon your privacy again and besides, you are 11

1

!

" the Corporal. bid you farewell. Dp<»n

the

subject II

any the

1

I