HomeMy WebLinkAboutLucknow Sentinel, 1892-01-22, Page 6. ,
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$A.ftITO forward to Meet them with the Paettirellh of singlet picture * grand piano in the
, UsieWs13 a little geeeting imeginahla. Francesiea loved middle of the mom, a -table ateown with
her Omit, end returned her eatsleracee Masig-lea r Woks -and waa, ns, and a few
' 0440g% XV't light in the aewe which Carlo had brought aka' anc,horite. When VELA° en.
• •, , , all poeoi WarOith.r htlik Euifb etraiiht• -hod, chairs At* eet aroupul
ith
„ ' hOrA os) catrateirelit of her letter's teeed the Moen that worning he
"ea,tthOl#,t*a'V.'grh*aT4.4Te yewgentatin tbasMdIL•The-Jornuo- 140.0 4174;-°"74-th--°44)re--cf
''''''44*!;14.'etler4 Otetre. e'tkee. Tdth' et aelPe ri,i.)g about the old Neaaoliten song,_the Borne +verse hie shaggy .gray hair tOaced
Not tor fame and not tor glory ; niustakablearapture ot the siager .filled her back froth his broad forehead, and the
e
shabbinesa of- late ma.neecolored dressing,.
gown fully revealed by the sunidebee which
etreamed in through the half-openfaiousiee.
ge looked up, as Carlo (altered. giving him
a sheep, aearehing glance, as though to dis-
cover how the world went with him that
morning. Convinced by the radient, kappa
lilretafiliffiliiiirtererilateraliaeggilt the
sky was cloudless, he grunted out a rather
surly " Bume giorno,' and closed his book
with an Air of reluctance.
" want your congratulations, maestro,"
mad Carlo; coming quickly forward.
"Nothing but the most filial obetlience and
reepect to yourself brought me sway from
my paradise this morning. You nuist iniugle
with praise your good wishes for out health
and happiness."
" Hein !" exclaimed the old man, pre-
te,uding not to catch his meaning. You
are ,an avvoc,ato, understand young
Ritter told me as much gas that. Corpo di
Bo-ceo don't come to me for congratula-
tions. You've mistaken your profession.
You are wasting—yes, wasting, the noblest
gift of God."
"But, maestro, reflect; how is it possible
for me to use my voice as you would have
me 't Would you wish me to leave my
mother? And then, moreover, there are
other considerations—I am about to be
married."
"Married !" The maestro turned away
with a groan. "Ah, then I wash guy
hands of you You are lust to art—lost to
the noblest of the professions 1 Farewell to
my liopes All my efforts with you are
thrown avray 1 You might have been the
pride of my old age and the delight of
Europe. Instead, you choose the career of
a lawyer and the caresses of a won.an.'
• "You speak scornfully, maestro," replied
the culprit, laughing. "1 shall add two ad-
jectivee to your bald remark—' the useful
9,0'41'.441i0,11,13 Atilr
. • • ,•,,,-^1,.,,,T,r07* ••• 'and tonder asenranoce of thoulgneraV do- comP 004 the Inreituro of dile mu-
Oive tie ail Quit liteadear ,tory.
-,,,--a--.0iyo us lam awl -give -me peace -Mere heart with. haprenette.„ T,he sweet ni r
• „ - - e„' ,.., , -. -- ;fa; air elwaye brought back to her memory that
▪ rule, pruno was a saaaller hou.ee than, grat evening at the Villa Bruno.
,..Caua Bela. 't. it was 1041E41g? ON in the air "He has done nothing but sing. since he
‘ ,qaeozy Enaliell Contfert which Oa Ickittons game back from, you," said the signora, as
'1304‘rOartagad; he impart to their- rooms, and the siuger drew ne,arer, every word elie4
. ,
et -e- e',•..... ,' alin'Attatitutal Was ta,'autY, though hendsome tinctly heard in that clear atmoephere :
,IF.,t,veg.„,t4A-1,,A.der,F7.4,64,AM 9F4,.. L, -..44.Aalcp.4a34...anatr44-..147=apik$ =.3...--,„,..,43i.g44,1,. ' ---",4141,,,r-t.,
• at • veranda and eatered by the open win ow of 0 sued beat°
• satotto treading lightly as he etew that Dove sorridere
,
Trtotl*.,;sy Asleep on her- cough. He
ateei ,
• tolo up
to her, and 404 eliencal
` the beautiful, bilt'Wetn face Of the
; learaltde He thought how greet a happis
.neate was in store for her, and smiled. /le
• *Oiled Franceame bringing that English
of home late this, room and thought
how sweet it would be, vvlion'ho rode home
Calgir.,V531*g, to picture those two together
,;eataiting efor , Looking on into the
saanyefeitare, sfergataalie prateLF; his
nil*** had opened her eye, and had
aWeachadatina for male moments before he
• saw that that elneaatia awake.
• ..•At last he loolced down at her, and met
, 'her eyes shining iato his with perigee com-
ehensien.
Carlino, you bring me good news 1"
„es'abe. exclaimed, drawing his face down to
tiolt*aral 'misting the ,smooth, ruddy brown
,f,174i-po news, ,mothor=--the best !" he
.returning the embrace. Oh,
'Mother -1' tbebiOpiest. man. iu
"70,40,2*=,,,,,i,106041 the siglior L.
U,Ifeek.
ancescp, Mt.110-40 i breke
Site' iii•coniiiig7-you will see ht sooni
Volle 11 creato,
Tu sei Vinipero
Dell' armonia, '
• -see Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia 1-
Thalast note still echoed n the air as
Carlo stepped into 'the dimly lighted room
through the open window, bearing in hie
hand a bunch of read roses and myrtle-
bloosom. It was the picture he had so often
'imagined which met his gaze, for Francesca
tood beside his mother;- -trepliett-
shedding a soft glow over her sweet, heir
face. She was dressed, in some kind of soft
white dress which made him ebb* of a
baby's robe, her wavy beown hair was 8.
little ruffled by the white ebawl which she
had thrown aside; in her sweet, pure hap-
piness she was exquisite.
"1 did, not know you had come," he ex.
'claimed, hastening towards her; how, was
it I never heard you r
44 We came without ceremony ; there was
no ringing of bells," stead Francesca.
"And Carlo was singing at the top of his
voice," said the mother laughingly. "1
foresee, Francesca, that he will now be like
my canary, who is so happy that he singe
all day long, and I have sometimes to ex-
tinguish him."
"We have been wondering what Signor
Piale will say," replied Francesca, smilingly;
"you know. -he looks upon love as the
supreme obstacle in the way of art."
Then. he should not compose music to
such words as these," said Carlo, taking up
JI4,A9,0'ajtieff. will, bring her.
' You. No one Wild
iiaerienealy.. I t44'W
eis; 00; MO Might StiaaktO
her 'in the garden.
rnu
f,; ;*an for 1,oni, :a.00ng /re* the open piano;
Wil kateisaiiir thiadaniakter " Is thet his last a I have not heard it,"
e• , rancesca. • , e dediCated it
' -''d " Ala h h
alettirt.,Oci4O4ha'rnOt-f#teagqiiht, ' :teaMeattbeepeomised."
4,4GA;;i, *:iikL,iing it, Ogee ; eglit8:yOU
t:04ii,,t01:14,4Cir';41itfij,":1,1.00Pial Well," said -his mother.
orgettult .‘t,` atri not well acquainted with your
:%04.7,flert," she continued, turning to Cap-
• a • itatinelatitton, " but it' seems to me that
Oigneati?Ouli• "thesii*Ords ire melodious and. well adapted of 8. seraph aael the diaanatic pewer c ,
laughing rril "but ihat beloved
CAPI4e,
,
1 t
treated'hienophow. in OA mot gener- the Italism feuthion with Wr*ths
ons and paternal 11911 and Carlo came ferth reeee • it heel eclat, grey walle Prowaaa v".."`
an welt forthio .tiiture Ii.te. Ilappy in ' lila/love, ' graphe and water -color oliotohee,; It )14 --
i.:Z:7tperp:peiti:;_ t,,,, 44'.0..filashetgrinewd:ritakuprinen.:: ' at0:04.00tioroisoied. 11,:norot:: 0:110gfi:trequ 4.(461P:::
hare yerbieh practically aineunted to tar.• and, after the rammer of room, it leetreeed
tainty otsuceeae in. 14 profeeeion,a44 with to owner's. chief failing—it W5,8 14 'OP 104-
-thUttiest,0-inethern-waalbeiruest.41-frinn-4. --braeri----7Vremcoma;---ww-brol-raeona- -hox.,..--..,_ ............_.......,..
.it seemodale if life could offer him nothin neeculate ; like other girls, she had 'her.
"Well riiet 1" he exclaimed, waylaying moving a guitar which reposed upon
r,:irrieeito4ewehdoheiii bayi.it of, alestraetion, would cushions, and trying to find a home for it
; upon the crowded table. "1 will'be beole
more. His fake was radiant tie he greeted faults, and uatidinesa was one of them.
EliricoRitter. a • " Try ray rocking-cheir," she said, -re-
I' exclaimed Enrice;, look- directly." •
ing him critically in the face. " Well, Carlo, rescuing tbe whieh we.s
in •
Azet,.=14zt 011
be 'request& to lance at my , easychair and waited, lettuig gnaw '-'''
wedding before long," said Carlo, gayly. ; wander idly about among th.e strings. It
"So r Enrico whistled.
"1 took your advice you see, t antic° raio,' home at Casa Bella—its very cenfusion was
i was aweet -to feel already eo entirely at
and stayed at home, 414 you tonight not be dear to hare Presently Fralleggett returned 4
,affficted with the trouble of congratulating bearing a big tumbler of St. Galmier, which ,
"Yes, yes," said Enrico, with a sarcastic ssehleecstaintgdthoewfinneusptoonf re nIteem'son"sPfarroamaish°er'" \
nee."
smile. "That is your kind way of putting branch. .
its -egoist that you are ! You stayed to -en- : "Lend me your knife, Carlino,' she
joy yourself, and now you want to make said: "I've lost 'Mee, as usual. There 1"
me believe that you were considering my as she -cut open the cool, ripe fruit; " isn't
dcoemubfokiitdaynedd neogteieyotuir”own. Anogoist ! A that re. beauty ? How much, I wonder, for
Theyewere passing a hoarding in the Strada. ' Then, running to the door," Sibyl! Sibyl!" ,
Irsvheoufoldrgtohtitt htahlef. eugexAh.4
But his laughter was suddenly checked. 1 bow gliklaseaMuel l!
S. Trinita ; Carlo had glanced at one of tlee 1 The little sister came flying down the pas -
placards, and now he clutched his friend's sage.
name—I thought I saw it. Look for inc ; I have I done with the store.rooire key?
can't."
" Enrico !" he gasped ; " my' „sister's Sib"yRaundaneard?fetfihh,raebosc'thnleer
edgatralinhlge,, rase°, ww,illwyhaoext,
arm.
but surely it was that hateful name of basket." Iort,hpinekrhaitpsm, ethebepocolenetraoyf
i,
Huge black letters on a pink ground i Lelgsosti
danced in wild confusion before his eyes; I my blue gown ; or, if not, in my work
Merlin° which had suddenly darkened his ' Sibyl ran awa,y to hunt for the missing
-
sky, which has struck a blow at his heart key, and Francesca, searched among -the
"Dear old fellow, you must come 'on,a had been left there.
' contents of the table to eee if by chance it
and left him stunned and bewildered.
[.ouId find, • career' and a. perfect wonettn.' Why,
signor, you who knew Miss Britton should
be ready to make excuse for me.- What
else could you . expect? Is the Muse of
Harmony to take precedence of such an
one?"
"Hear him 1" cried Plate, in despair,
"great heaven 1 and it is this ungrateful
one that thou haat endowed with the voice
.s
egasaitaCailine: *leen' the. for • Salvini
mice launched into an account o ow•
'had once met the Laureate at Lord Blana- maestro,, is bathosLa fine example."
ton's, while Carlo and Francesca wandered Hialaughter Was so infectious that Piale
off to the piano, Francesca glancing through was obliged to join- in it; then, with a
the accompaniment to see if ithe could shrug. of his thoulders, he shuffled across to
manage it. ,! the piano.
Even in that land of beautiful voices " Yon ate incorrigible! I wash my hands
Carlo Demean; voice was most remarkable. of you Bat since you are in so jocular a
But Pisan was the only person who.quite mood at the prospect of settling down to so
kin* *valet it was worth, and he had. issued monotonous a life--"
strict ardent that his pupil was to sing " Maestro 1" broke in Carlo, with indig-
no-Where Sitio at home and at his lessons. nation.
He knew well enough that if Carlo once "Do I apea4 unadvietedly1" said Piale
sang at a Neapolitan party he would be with sarcasm • "not at all. Oh, I will
allowed nepeace, but would become the well enough what it will be. You will sit
spoiled and overworked amateur, and fail under your vine and sunder your fig tree,
altogethet to do justice to the stevere,but and you vvill count the olive -branches
excellent training which he had now &tweet round your table *"
com leted The voice was a baritere of "Signor Piale!"
"And you will any as you look, I must
work hard,' and you will become the speak-
ing machine of the Teapolitan criminals,
and you will use that divine gift for the
proclamation of lies, and you will debase
your fine dramatic genius and make it the
tool of the worthless andthe guilty. Since
all this makes you in so gay a humor, come,
sing rne your song from ` Barbiere.' " '
Parsing up his lips, the old professor
began to play the accompaniment of "Largo
al Factotum"; and Cede, entering into the
spirit of the thing, and with his sense of
humor touched by the analogy between the
barber's glorification of his profession and
the words that had just passed, sang mag-
nificently.
exp-earou coniieg W„ Me The captain was not poetical, but he he at "My apologies to Salvini " said Carlo
, 601 us a son shoat aad
(0415110-auS and,, grief: and
$e",1i.ot even ,sending one Of
br,,;agret,iill these years! ' .
s,‘'' 'CM= hack,littla Mother—she
lya;:4,a#V, he said, soothingly,
iXe,41, feel her need of you.
, ;,001th'otOtiogvis. aratar-
alqakeAt4te bad-onnen. ,
Lao was as fiseileatideipen with
o esee ,Wh-einT ke-btOlie-ena child';
-
.:44.440‘rfidiall, lie', tropes and. fears &w-
hit tang time of probation, and now she
redhie joy,,und,:was soon coaxed back to
rfullnisateas he. told' her more of what
passed -ate, Bella. She was
-*Melte again , she went into
- u en his, arm; her grief
ese.;.
said Enrico. "1 didn't know those cursed Ah, Carlo mio !" she tread, with a pretty
placards would be out yet; but it it true, . penitence, I fear I am not as the ladies any
alas 1 only too true." who advertise in the newspa,pers,
Carlo walked on mechanically, feeling as thoroughly domesticated.' I shall have to
though he had the nightmare. His thoughts mend my evil ways now."
flew wildly from Francesca to Anita, from- Carlo pretended not to understand what
his mother to Captain Britton, from his " domesticated " meant, and they had much
uncle to Merlino. -He had no definite ideas ! merriment over a dictionary, which declared
only a giddy consciousness that the world; that it was to be " tame and not "for -
so,
bright but a minute before, was now over- eign."
shadowed, and that a nameless fear filled Sibyl at last returned with the sugar
"Where " he altered, after a brief ce tin another to run away. Then Fran -
silence.
"Tho Mercadatite,' said Enrico, following
his train of thought, and .understanding the
laconic question as a friend should.
"Let us (tome there," said Carlo.
Rnrico silently complied. After a time
his friend looked up witleanother question.
"You knew of this before, then ?"
Enrico signed an assent.
"The day 18,st sa,w you," he added,
his heart. basin, claiming one lump as wages, and ac-
-cesca begun to stir the contents o t
tuMbler with an ivory paper -knife, since
spoons were not handy; and in muck
laughter and love -like teasing Carlo. forgot
all about the clowd-shadow that had arisen.
The ring fitted to perfection, and Fran-
cesca's delight was pretty to sec; she was
not above a womanly weakness fer jewelry,
and frankly owned that she always had
longed for just one diamond.
after a pause. "And what about the old, maestro?" she
"What 1 That -thing you tore out Me the exclaimed, at last. "You never told me
Piccolo? Why did you try toskeep it from how he bore the news." .
Well, dear old Piale was, or pretended
to be a good dos.! depressed. It seems that
he really had set his heart on my going on
the stage and had not at all realized how
impossible that would be." . ' •
Yet you do not feel as my father does
about theatre -going?" glad Francesca.
"And Clare ! Don't yen remember vvhat
arguments we used to have with dear Clare
about it ?"
"Yes, she was dead agaimsteit ; but then
she was brought up in a Puritantainily,and •
the old prejudices .lingeeed with her. . For
me, I have no feeling whatever of that sort,
but nevertheless the life of an operatic
singer is quite the last I should willingly
choose. Piale talks scoffingly of the hum,
drum life of an advocate; but for my part I.
shall be very well content to stay at home,
with the hope of some day following in my
father's steps and doing a little for the
country. Think of the wretchedness of .*
wandering life !' • It's all very *ell to talk
about delighting Europe—p,mctically one ,
would be little better than an exile—and.
**forgotten, 'she laughed merrily at his unusual power , apd sweetness. bole s
ateoUnt of -Enrico's philosophical counsels, nnisic suited the pathetic words admirably :
said101he 'to*, of pride and, happiness as Love is come with it song and a smile,
41010i/hod across the table at her son, who Welcome Love with a smile and a song;
hail.been all inall to her for so many years. ..ipge can etaillhtillaaiityttemlnaley gnu away:
• Carlo was-tho late,ppy to be hungry, but he Yid loti'irwrAg, lre do arra wrong
-pledged hia mother over a bottle of Orvieto, .Love will stay for a whole life long."
and they. drank Francesca's health, and , The song ended, Francesca sat dreamily
• clinked glasses, and made merry. playing over the refrain which her lover
•
The tete-a-tete dinner at the Casa Bella
. . had declaimed. so passionately; he stood
.. Was quieter, but happy, too, in its way• close to her, deftly arranging the flowers he
•' -The old captain beamed silently from behind had brought from the garden in her hair and
s the sirloin. Francesca looked. radiant drefee Then, after the thanks and praises
They talked fitfully of the weather, of the of the listeners had been spoken Captain
• orange crop, of theailk-worais; of the last Britton once more enlarged upon 'his meet -
letter from England—of everything, in fact, ing with the Laureate, and Carlo, foreseeing
• except the one subject that Was nearest that the topic would last some time, looked
their hearts; but then old Dino was waiting, longingly out into the dusky garden, then
• and -it behooved them to keep up appear- down at Francesca.
antes. Their tongues were unloosed by the "The paths are quite dry; it is star -
appearance of Sibyl and the dessert, and light," be said; " will you not come out ? "
She smiled and nodded, let him wrap the
• the ditappearance of the servant.
et ': "Sibyl," said the captain, taking the white shawl about her, and Crossed the
little girl on his knee, "what would you room to the window. Carlo lingered a
. .. ,' • ink if we were to have a wedding here?" moment to slip, a cluster of red rosea into
• th •
' "A wedding, father?" Sibyl clapped her his mother's hand.
hands with delight. "OI, may I be the "We go into the gardens for a few min -
bride? Father! may, I.be the bride 1" - utes, maclre mia," he explained.
"No," said the father, laughing, "that She smiled approvingly, perceiving that
e.haracter is bespoken. You will have to be he meant to claim all the liberty which an
s my little houeekeeper. Franceaca is to be English betrothal permits, and then turned
bride. There, you must drink her health: again to the captain with a question, in
Long life and happiness to the, future Sig- her pretty broken English, which she was
nora Donati." well aware would keep him happy for some
Sibyl obediently repeated the words, but time to come.
made it wry face over the claret. " And this Lord Blamton, at whose house
"What horrid stuff, daddy. Do give it occurred, is he your friend ? "
me a bit of your orange, quick." Than, The lovers, supremely indifferent to both
with her mouth very full," But Fran can't lords and laureates, strolled out into the
Ea Signora Boma.' starlit garden. All was still and peacefal ;
"Oh, yes, she can when she marries through the olives they tould catch glimp-
Carlo," sael the captain. ses ot the yellow lights in Pozzuoli, and
"Marries Carlo ?" echoed Sibyl, in eaten- every now and then a lurid orb:felon flame
ifehment Dear me, will Carlo be married? and a column of vapor lit up by the fierce
What a bother! I suppose he'll never play glare, revealed in the &lettuce the conical
× and be jolly any more?" form of Vesuvius and its peaceful peiglabor.
"W le not ?" said Francesca, laughing.- somma . there waa a delicious fragrance in
" Oh, he won't," said Sibyl, looking wise thS air; thyme and myrtle and mignonette
and elderly, "1 knew he won't. I asked , filled the dewy .garde e with their sweet -
the other day what it .meant to be 1 fleas everywhere the peace of a gietat eon-
.
.3
•
married, and. she timid it was when people
@Few steady and settled down."
Th t elders laughed heartily.
tent seemed. to brood. A stranger mig
have fancied something disturbing and in -
con mous in the burning mountain ; but to
At the end there was unbroken silence.
Theold professor sat lost in thought ; Carlo
watched him with a smile ori his lips. Then,
'sauntering across the room, sang sotto voce,
the recitative which followed, throwing
malicious meaning into the
" Ah Che bella vita! Oh 1 Che meatier° !"
" It could not have been better sung 1"
cried Piale, with a gesture of despair.
"Carlo, perhaps I have dealt unfairly by
you. I have never praised you, never told
you what thought of your powers; I
feared to ruin that modesty which has
endeared you to me. But now, it is time
that you seriously consider the'' matter.
There, there, don't interrupt me Marry
if you will, and let' your wife tend the
Signora Donati in your absence. But do
not allow a° glorious a gift to rust unused."
"Dat, dear maestro," said Carlo,gravely,
you do not realize that others do not
think of the profession as you do. Captain
Britton regards the theatre as the school
for hell • the stage is ` abomination to
him. fancies that all actors are like
that villain Merlin°. And, indeed, it is
wonderful that he inade IMO objection to
having as son-in-law one who is so deeply
compromised as I am. I suppose he hardly
realized the fact; he has almoat forgotten
poor Nita's existence."
At the recollection of that sorrowtul past
he sighed. Fiala was quick to note how
the remembrance interfered with his present
happiness.
"Well, only a brute would dream of
holding you responsible for the sins of
others," he said, warmly.
"Tell me," said Carlo, "have you seen
any mention of my sister lately in any of
the musical papere ?"
"I heard that Merlino's company had been
in America for the last two years, and that
Madame Merlin° had made a good impres-
sion there— Wei, I suppose I must say
no more, lad, but it is hard on a master to
have his best pupil lost to the world."
` changed the subject rather hastily.
m r-
"1wanted you to have a cloudless be-
trothal," said Enrico, rather reluctantly.
"Ah, amieo mio !" exclaimed the other,
gratefully. ,
"You shield me thus, and then call
yourself an egoist 1"
"01 course," said Enrico, who hated to
be caught in eariendly action. "It was
pure egoism. Naturally I wish you to be
happy, for it disturbs me and makes me un-
comfortable to see you as you are now.
Purely for my own sake I deferred the evil
day.'
Carlo could not help smiling, even then,
at the energy with which his friend tried to
establish his own selfishness for the sake of
triumphing in his pet theory.
"1 roust find out whether they are yet in
Naples," he aaid, growing grave once more,
and trying ehard to collect his thoughts.
Enrico how, shall , break the news
to my mother? She is unfit to bear the
k "
"But heewill be your brother, you know., Car o, Vesuvius was an old friend, not a
Sibyl, and brothers always play," I saMIL terror. Iia his childhood he had fancied it
Francesca. . • it sort of symbol of the Deity, vaguely con-
' " Carlo my brother ?" necting it with that other pillar if cloud by
)tour brother-in-law." day and pillar of fire by night of which old
"Oh, yes, I know about that—that's Father Cristoforo had told him. Not a
what he bed put on his cards," said Sibyl, care, not the least shadow of anxiety, broke
triumphantly; "80 he must have known he the bliss—the unclouded happiness of that
was going to be my brother before he came evening.
• here ; Dino said that long word was ira i Remembering Enrico'e advice to keep his
- he piness to himself, Carlo took it holida ,
, ee
... Then, before Captain Britton heel done an stayed at home tall the end of the wee,
;laughing, Sibyl convelsed her companions when, partly prompted by it conacientious Ile could not bear to bring book that cloud
- by solemnly rattling the glass to her 1ipti wish to break the news to Piale, and to to Carlo's brow by telling him the last news
i again, and repeating in the gravest way keep his usual appointmCnt with the old of his sister.
imaginable, "Long life and many games to maestro on Saturday morning, partly be- His lesson over, Carlo began to ransack
1
my future brotherirale.w." cense he wattled to search for it betrothal the jeweller' shops,and having at bet found
Frarecesca was (ewer to go in quickly to ring to his mind, he ordered his horse and it broad gold gypsy ring with it single &a -
nee Signora Donati, but she had to wait till rode into Naples. mond which satiefled him, he bent his steps
Sibyl was tucked up' m bed and her father Nate lived over ft shop in the Strada , toward his .uncle's house, conscious that
had finished his after-dinner nap. Then she Mont' Oliveto. His apartments were fur- Guido Donati—a rather autocratic man—
threw a white woolly shawl about her head
. nished in a Spartan manner, without the would require early. notice of hie nephew's
• t.
eas •
"
:Y;;,;;ii keep it freer,. her, then—at any
• ter into the bargain, Piste owns that art re-
quires the sacrifice of domeetic bk."
"1 knew he would not approve of ma",
said Francesca, laughing. We must have
him to our wedding, Carlo, and he shall
make a speech. What fun he will be 1"
Jest for a minute, as they talked of
theatrical life, Carloa thoughts had re-
verted to Nita, but Francesca's reference to
the Wedding soon dispersed the cloud. He
rate, till you know what line your sis
intends to take," said Enrico. But see,
we are close to the Mereadante. Shall I
make inquiries for you?"
"1 wish you would," paid Carlo, with a
look of relief. "Ask when the cotnpany
arrives in Naples, and where they are to be
found." •
Enrico walked forward, Carlo following
more slowly; past two open-air ,
with groups of idlers beneath shady had most markedly the Italian faculty of
treilis-work of vine and euonymus ; on past living wholly in the present, and enjoying
a stall gayly wreathed with lemons and it much as a child enjoys life. They lin-
greenery, where thirsty Neapolitans were gered long in the rose -room. Late
drinking mineral water; on till the arsenal When the heat of the afternoon was
was in sight, ,and the red tower of the they walked through the garden an
lighthouse, while in the foreground was the the vine -clad slopes t� the beach, where d
Teatro Mereadante. • Little had he thought Florestanoesat smoking his pipe with his
that the sight of its pink walls with their back against a boat. Ile sprang up, en
white facings would ever' have caused him seeing them, as quickly as his rheumatism
each strange emotion. Huge placards were would permit.
posted here in all directions. He read them " Going for a row, signor ?" he said, when
over and over in a sort of dream, taking in he had finished his lengthy congratulations,
little but that, one name in larger type, ' and had made Francesca blush deliciously.
" Mademoiselle) Merlino." At lengah "Yes,' said Carlo, flinging his coat into
Enrico came forth, having made his in- the stern; "but we sh'n't want you,
guides. • • Florestano • we shall never want you any
more" ; anti, vvith a laugh, he shoved the
" They do not seem to know itnheanerweeat boat down to the water's edge. .
date of their arrival," he said, "Alt, signorina," said the oldfisherman,
"Tho mu" wa8 chuckling, "he is one to be proud of, that
to Carlo's mute question.
he is. Why, I do declare), he might ,be it
just going to his siesta, and Was not best
pleased at being hindered. However, he
And with delighted pride the old men.
fisherman. Look at him now."
wrote down the address for me. dYayounwexilt1
find them there whenever they do arrive.
active figure in straw hat and shirt -sleeves
watched the skill. with which the strong,
It may be to -morrow or any
week. They are combeg from America,
set to work. Carlo looked round with a
ili„I
However, you see by the plaaarda there re
but by what route the fellow didn't In ovv.
let us lea off, Goodbye, Floreettno. h,
bright, glowing face. "Come, Francesca,
no performances for another ten days.".,,,:,
s t Hetehended his ease to the old fishet
tide, wait
it inmute, though! Have a cigar,
Carlo took the paper and read thes.
who helped, hienV with a. smiling face;
dress. .
said. " I will call and see if they have
' "1 shall be here again to -morrow," h
prang in, and, taking the oars, rowed oft
-pen he allayed- e boat into the water,
arrived, and till then I shall say nothing to
(To be continued.)
toward Ischia.
my mother."
" Theri she will 'be spared the worry and
"That would be wive," said Enrico. .
Prererred'An Axe.
uncertainty. You look tired, amieo mio.
tePrirte;8? she Caasnaedyonef sPthliet
Come home with me and have your siesta in w, opoetro withitledrexe
peace." wood
Raid Carlo ; "1 want to go home. trainp who was looking for a job.
a` No'rn, I allae uses an axe," was the mi -
1 want to tell Franceeca." •
get a sunstroke."
".You can't ride back in this heat; you'll exlpeeted answ.er. ,
stole.
'But he only shook hie head, and, with an
Judge : laysmith—I'm going to see the
unmistakable air of wishing
alone,' Howler for libel. 1
to be
It called me a thief. "
said good-bye to his friend, end went to
s are allowed to
e MeWatty—But paper
order his horse.
0 at um t news.
Enrico turned to look after him. Pro-
le.yarnith—B t that ' '
print the news, you know.
found dejection was expressed in his walk.
c atty—True enough. Everybody.
The serpent had all too soon invaded his al w
- knows it now.
peradise.
to the
I
, CHAPTER V.
• They went toether toward the house.
•
f or ictures uen g own itt
end shoulders, elipped her arm in least attempt at COM cot, p
oaptain's and ,crossed over to the Ville. A marble floor, unrelieved by carpet or l'he interview passed off well. Uncle The Rose -room 'was rancesca
'Bruno. The signora was alone; she came mat, walls painted in Pale green, but bars Guido thoroughly approved of the marriage, sitting -room. It had a ceiling painted after
•
-
te.
—All petitions to the Eritieli House of
Commons must be in handwriting, and may
not be printed.
‘,1
,