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"
"Father, I----" He faltered and broke off
again.
The priest waited silently.
"I envied him because the society--the Young
Italy--that I belong to------"
"Yes?"
"Intrusted him with a work that I had hoped
--would be given to me, that I had thought myself
--specially adapted for."
"What work?"
"The taking in of books--political books--from
the steamers that bring them--and finding a hiding
place for them--in the town------"
"And this work was given by the party to your
rival?"
"To Bolla--and I envied him."
"And he gave you no cause for this feeling?
You do not accuse him of having neglected the
mission intrusted to him?"
"No, father; he has worked bravely and devotedly;
he is a true patriot and has deserved nothing
but love and respect from me."
Father Cardi pondered.
"My son, if there is within you a new light, a
dream of some great work to be accomplished for
your fellow-men, a hope that shall lighten the burdens
of the weary and oppressed, take heed how
you deal with the most precious blessing of God.


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