Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-06-08
CORSICAN LOVE SKETCH.

| from lulS lOWCI, duQ DIS JOu dIC al al lAots "
course you fully appreciate it"
Nolan Gordon closed his sketch book hast
lily, and turned from the picturesque land
scape to meet the gaze of the speaker. HI
was young, handsome, wealthy American
who was spending season in the lovely IS
land Of Corsica, and indulgng his artistic
taslesin sketching the many quaint and inter
esling scenes of that romantic island. AS W.
| introduce him to the reader, be is sitting IL
the tower of Arceni, one of those numer Gus
deserted structures which are to be found il
all parts of the island, and which form TO
mantle episodes in the history of Corsica.
The face which met his gaze was that of &
Corsican girl of wondrous loveliness, bel
dark brilliant eyes scintillating with an inno-
cent boldness which caused him to lose his
selfpossession almost entirely for the moment
The picturesque costume, the exquisite face,
the graceful figure and musical tones Of the
girl sent all electric thrill thrOugh.t the whole
being of the young man. His embarrassment
was but momentary, however, and he re.
piled:
"You surprise me, fair lady! You speak
| truly in regard to the view from this tower.
Beautiful scenery abounds in evey part OF
your lovely island. Who wonders that Ma
poleon thought Corsica unsurpassed by Par
| adise? would be content to live, love, and
die here!"
He spoke enthusiastically, and the dusky
eyes OF the maiden fell before his ardent
glance
"You are an American, yet you are appre-
ciative of the beauties of lands foreign to
your own" the girl returned, half question
ingly, half positively.
"Yes, am an American, and though
am sufficiently patriotic, must say that there
is as beautiful scenery, and thrice beautiful
women in Corsica, it you are d sample of
the latter. Pray, pardon me-may | ask
your ame?-mne is Nolan Gordon!
81 am Vinnina Pinelli, and dwell in yon-
der mansion, half concealed by those olive
groves and rowan trees. l did not know
that this tower was occupied, or l should not
have come hither.'
Il am glad you were ignorant Of my pre-
sence, if you would have been deferred from
coming otherwise Ii was only more of an
artist, l should wish to paint your likeness.
But could not do it justice if | should try.
| Those mandles set off the beauty of you Cor
sicans to wonderful degree. wish Ameri-
can women would adopt the style in pref
erence to their present awkward head-dress-
es!"
Vannina's countenance flushed at the CON-
III.
You may paint my likeness if you so de-
to look upon it, and think OF him who paint
ed it," she said, her eyes glowing.
81 will do my best. Come to me to-mor-
row at this hour, and will begin the pleasant
task" Nolan Gordon returned The girl
gaZed moment upon the dome of dis
tant tower in silence, and then said, with her
usual yivacious abruptness: 81 will come
as you wish. must go, for am all alone
now, except for the servants. My father
died only few short months ago, and [ can
not bear to stay alone. You will come and
visit me, siore?'
Nolan gazed upon the beautiful Corsican
in surprise. Naught but simplicity and
purity were visible upon her far features,
and he answered:
Il will accept of your invitation"
''She turned to 60, but he seized her tiny
white hand and raised it to bis lips She
turned quickly, and in moment was gone
AS she walked briskly towards her dwelling
she muttered softly to herself:
He is very handsome, and thinks I am
also. And he kissed my hand, and is going
to paint my likeness, and-and-l love him.
AS she decended from the tower she did
not observe the crouching figure of young,
dark-faced man who had been listening to
her conversation with the yonng American,
nor did she see him arise and dog her foot
steps as she approached her dwelling. AS
she entered grove of olive trees near the
latter he hastened ahead of her, and stepped
into her path with menacing abruptness.
"Vittorio Paoli! whence did you come SO
suddenly?' she asked, stepping involuntari-
ly backward.
The Corsican frowned darkly, and said;
81 should think you would ask that!
Where have you been?"
II have been to the tower OF Arceni. But
what matter is that to you?' Vannina re-
torted.
"Been in the tower of Arceni with hand
some American" he said frowning again.
"Well? did not know be was there"
"And he is going to paint your portrait,
and you will have to go and see him dozen
times before that is finished. You have ask
ed him to visit you, and when you went away
you allowed him to kiss your hand! You
will love that young American in less than
week."
"You have been acting the spy, Vittorio
Begone! love the young American al
ready, and-and- you"
Her eyes scintilated with passion, her dain-
ty hands came together emphatically.
"You promised to marry me long ago, and
you shall keep your word! AT least, you
shall never marry him"
I" l do not know that he wishes me to
marry him-perhaps, even, he is already
married. Yet l love him, and will marry
him if he should ask me-.
If you persist in visiting him, you had
both better beware"
With these words the young Corsican
strobe away towards the sea, while Vannina
entered the dwelling.
In the meantime Nolan Gordon reopened
bis skelch-book, and attempted to resume the
The work which had been interrupted by the