Smyrna times., 1867-05-29
ISCELLAN EO U S.
Valerian's Honey Moon.
A FRAGMENT.

NV darling stepped out from the little inn
window on to the wooden balcony, draped with
vine-leaves and heavy punches of halfripened
purple grapes, which overhung the door of the
Osteria 1t was lapislazuli night, such as is
only known Italy. Below us lay great water,
calm as that bay of contentment whereunto
our lives had now glided. Stars trembled
there, and the moon swung her fulfilled lamp
on the very edge of the ripple that washed the
shore. There came heavy odor of orange
blossms from the gardens about u.s. blent with
the less rare odor of tobacco, from the pipes of
ostlers and wayfarers seated around the door
below. The murmur Of their voices was all
that broke the silence.
Between the OSteria and the lake ran the
dusty highroad, where the diligence half an
hour ago had passed, and stopped here to
change horses. But there was not much
traffic, saving a cart or two, oxen drawn and
laden with maize, and a curious old vehicle,
hait-gig, half chaise, bearing q notary from the
neighboring town to the bedside of some vii
liage Dives, numbered in his last hours with
the disposition of his wealth (so the waiter in
formed me- Saving for these the dust had
slept undisturbed, in layers several inches
thick, upon the road, during all the hours we
had been here. And now the night had come,
and even such intrequent traffic would cease.
But, contrary to our expectation as we two
stood there hand in hand upon the balcony,
listening to a cicala in the dusty roadside
gross and frog in the water.weeds, and the
hum of smokers voices, below us, there fell
on our ears the distant craking Of post-boy'
whip, with the familiar accompaniment OF
iinging harness.. A minute more, and in the
white moonlight we saw an open travelling
carriage coming rapidly toward us. There
was a rush among the smokers to the front
the postillion worked up his whip into state
of frenzy as he neared his goal, and finally
swung himself lightly to the ground, as he
pulled up exactly under our window. The
carriage was occupied by two persons-a gen
tleman and lady. The head of the catech'
being thrown back could see the mans face
: very distinctly in the moonlight, which was al
clearas day: | thought | recognized it; SO
, perhaps, did my companion, for she drew ye
closer to me, and / felt her little hot hanc
tremble in mine. The doubt if it was one
lasted but minute; the lady threw back hel
veil; the small black lace bonnet framed-i
did not shroud-that carved ivory face OF
which the moonlight flooded. God forgive me
had reason TO know it too well; and so ha
she who stood beside me. My poor little dar
ling nestled close to me like frighteded dove
. and she pulled me quickly back under tn
shadow of the Vlne-leaves, as she muimured
: "Oh, Valerian! that woman again That wo
man here!"s
i'My darling what are you afraid of? Sh
can do US no harm. Depend on it. she is M
4 troubling her head about me.
G "Why does she come here? Oh, ValeriaI
we were so happy
"Hushl Let us hear what they say"
"Bring out the Rvers des etrngers. We vi
see who has been passing this way" 1t WI
y tba gantlaman who smoke,
"Just the romantic spot for q love-slt
ID couple" laughed the lady; and her fine music
n. laugh fell ON my ear like dlscordant peal
- bells. II should not wonder If there
of some one staying here. :, :,
mt We saw the greasy strangers Dook nand
ire to them by their courier, and the Lady, by {
IN light of the moon alone, turned over the pas
aud read the names written there A dc
!. little curly head was hidden on my breast, q
lch q small voice whispered, plaintively:
You won't 60 down TO her? You wo
see her? Promise me. She'll try and ia
= you from me, as she did before. I shall die
/ you 60, Valerianl'
:, ''Neyer fear, my darling She bewitcl
- me once; was mad then, believe. But hi
L. ] not something better now2 While l b
- my treasure here in my arms, what TO me
all the fairest women in the world?'' -
. "Ahl you didn't think so once" she sobb
"and know nothing can resist her. I
, Valerian, If she drags you away from me
lime