The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-10-11

to reassure the weeping girl, and, kiss
! ing. away her tears, tried to make
ner see the light, that now burned but
dimly even for him. But poor Car
lotta's tears fell the faster, and she
said:
''Angelo, my life, my love, my
heart will break without you. How
can I feel the warm light Of the sun,
and know that you are under cold
skies to see the orange bloom, ard
know there are no flowers for you!-
All, shall hate our laughing bay, be,
cause its cruel waters bore you from
me-"
NAY, nay, Carlotta, dear one. Be
brave Think of what is behind the
cloud, and the bright light will shine
through. What matters it, if land
and seas do lie between us? Love
laughs at distances as it does at
locks and my heart will beat with
yours in the new world as truly as it
does now. Hark!"
The vesper bell tolled slowly, and
over the water sweet and clear foated
the sailors evening hymn:
cave Sanctissima, we lift our souls
to thee, .....- ..
Ora pro nobis, It's nightfall on the
sea.
Watch us while shadows lie
Far DER the waters spread,
Hear tho hearts lonely sigh,
Thine, too, hath bled.
Thou, that hast looked on death,
Aid us when death is near
Whisper of heaven to faith,
Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, hear !!
Ora pro nobis, the wave must rock
our sleep, .- .-. ,
Ora, Mater, ora, Star of the deep !"
The lovers clasped each others
han,ls and listened till the last note
mingled with the splushing wave, and
then Carlotta said
"Ah, Angelo, tomorrow 1 shall
hear that hymn alone, and you-where
will you be ?"
"With ycu III spirit, Carlotta; let us
make a spirit tryst. Every eve at
vesper time, on land or on sea, in Joy,
or in sorrow, will sing that vesper
hymn you promise me to do the same,
and in spite of land and sea our hearts
will go forth in the music and hold
communion until we meet again. l
swear it; will you do SO -
Carlotta raised the little crucifix at
her girdle, and pressed it to her lips.
81 swear it
Angelo kissed it, too; the shadows
deepened. and with long last en-
brace they parted. Carlotta stole to
her little white bed TO weep herself to
sleep, and Angelo walked the deck of
the ship that was to bear him to the
land of gold. Bravely sped the good
stout ship, and soon he stood on the
shore of the strange land, eager to be-
gin the battle with fate.
He was young and brave, and his
arm never shrank before task. He
worked cheerfully and faithfully, and
fortune smiled upon him. He hoard
ed every cent with miser's care, fer
each one brought him nearer Carlotta;
and every evening, among his fellow
workmen, or by himself, he kept the
spirit tryst, and he sang cave Sane
tissima"
A year rolled by; Angeles hoard
grew rapidly, and he told himself:
Another year, and then home againl"
He wrote to Carlotta thus: ....
Courage, my life! But one short
year, and-then the cruel trial will be
over -
Carlotta read .he words by tire
sparkling water, kissing them many
times and when the vesper bell tolled
she sent her song over the waves to
meet her lovers.
The year was almost over, and An
gelo counted by weeks the time that
must elapse before he should sail for
home. How his warm southern blood
glowed and his heart bounded! His
happy song kept time all day long
with his hammers click; and when at
evening he poured out his JOY in the
tryst song, he could almost hear it
meet and mingle with the notes that
rose so many miles away.
''The darkest hour is just before the
day :" and often, too, the sun shines
brightest when low in the horizon the
blacklist clouds are pilingi then sud-
denly the muffled thunder rolls, and
in an instant inky blackness hides
heavens true blue from the strained
and aching sight So the storm burst
over Angelo. His employer failed,
and with his own fortune was swept
away Angeles little wealth; the day
on which he was to have sailed for
home found him penniless, hungry,
A ha
went from place to place to find work,
but in vain. 1t was in those terrible
war days, when bread was dear, and
t'hesh and blood so cheap" and even
ing found him still hungry and hope
less. He walked to the river, and
looked down into its murky waters, so
differ ent from the sparkling blue Of his
native bay, and the thought came,
why not end his cares beneath those
gloomy waves? They looked sulleh
and hopeless as his own heart, and
they might with the sympathy of woe
rock him tenderly, and wall q requiem
over him. It was better than dying
of hunger in the street, with life and
happiness passing in mockery before
him. Yes, it was the best, and true
to the last to his faith, he crossed his
brow and muttered a prayer, then
closed his eyes for the fatal leap, when
soft and silvery over the black tide
hoated.
Gave Sanctissima, we lift our souls to
thee"
With clasped hands aud hushed
breath he listened till the sound died
away then he fell on his knees, and
while the hot tears rained down his
cheeks, he sang his answer.
That night Angelo slept in coalbox,