Lincoln County advocate. (Canton, Dakota Territory, [S.D.]) 1876-1877, 1876-12-27


account of Antonio's love and courtship
or of Gigia's consent. She Is the
daughter Of his aoadrona or landlady;
he met her about three months before,
when he moved into his present
lodgings, and at first sight became fas-
cinated to him by her beauty; love soon
followed, and she consented to marry
him. But have no time for further
depression. A step is heard on the
stairs, the studio door is opened. An
tonic, looking up, perceives q young
man, tall, like himself, blonde, unlike
himself. and attired in q way that pro-
claimed him to be one of those wealthy
young fellows who have nothing what.
ever to do but the per'eoting Of their
own appearance and the ornamenting
of their persons.
''Ah! is it thou, aaaico"" says Anto-
MO, cheerfully. cit is a long while
since we have seen thy face. There is
nothing wrong with thee, I trust?"
"Nothing, Antonio MIC. have had
some little business matters to attend
to, that is all.
Cesare Ricasoli was standing directly
behind Antonio. The artist did not
like the look which he gave to Gigia,
nor-so occupied was he at that moment
in trying to impart the desired tint to
refractory lock of hair that fell over
the fair neck of Helen of Troy-did he
perceive how his model Redeemed under
that gaze, how an eager look came into
her eyes, and how for one moment she
leaned forward, her lipsslightly parted,
to form the word "caro." Cesare
lifted a warning finger; she quickly sank
into her former position.
How dost thou like my picture,
Cesare?" asked Antonio. "Canst
thou not suggest some alteration ?"
sit needs nothing to make it more
beautiful than it is, - answered Ricasoli.
Thou art genius, Antonio. There
is no painter equal to thee in all Italy,
and that, thou knowest, the world will
soon discover. But tell me why the
face of Paris is still left q blank. !" -.
Because as yet have been able to
find no model for it"
II will pose for thee" began Cesare;
but Antonio stopped him.
"Thou, AMIGO maios Never. Thy
face could never look like the face Of
Paris" ~
"What am I not handsome enough
to suit thee? +" laughed the young man,
casting complacent glance ct the place
where mirror should have been, but
was not.
"Thou art an Apollo" answered the
artist. "What I mean is, that the face
could never wear the expression of de.
ceit and treachery which Paris, a man
who persuaded Helen to forsake the one
to whom she owed allegiance, must
have. Thou cou1dst never commit such
an unworthy action, Cesare."
This time there was no reply. An
tonic did not notice the fact, for he was
again bending eagerly over his work;
but if his glance had CHANGED to rest
upon either his friend or his betrothed.
he would have seen that heavy frown
had darkened the brow of the one, and
that every trace Of color had left the
cheek of the other, while she dared not
lift her eyes from the ground. The un-
conscious Antonio continued:
It seems to me, Cesare, that there
are few men on this earth more favored
than I. Besides having dear old
mother, well and happy, living in Rome,
l have a fdanzata (betrothed) who is
the most beautiful woman in the world,
and whom it shall be the one endeavor
OF my life to render happy, and true
friend whom I can always trust. twas
kind OF thee, Cesare, wealthy, gay, gal
liant that thou art, to swear eternal
friendship to the poor struggling
artist. -
Again a silence. Gigia felt that it
must be broken. s.
"There is yet another possession that
will soon be thine, Antonio milo, that
must be dearer to thee than either
friend or 1adansata, and that is fame. +"
May" answered the artist, eagerly
dropping his palette and brushes, as he
approached his model; "believe me,
Gigia, fame is dear to me, but it is
nothing to the lo7o I feel Tor thee. I
would rather, aye, a thousand times
rather have Thee, and be forever
ignored by the world, than to
be worshipped by nations, aud
be without my Gigia. Cesare," turning
to the young exquisite. "thou know est
nothing OF love yet, and therefore thou
| canstt not understand me when talk
thus; but thy time will come, AMIGO,
thy time will come Chi ga p Per
haps it has come already" noticing a
peculiar expression on Ricasoli's coun.
tenance.
Cesare was spared the pain of an
swering, for loud rap at the door in.
terrupted them. A boy entered and
handed telegram to Antonio, who
tore it open and read:
Come to Rome at once. Your
mother is very ill.,
-: Mhat ii tx matter, 0t71tic0 ex-
claimed Cesare, for Antonio had sud-
denly grown pale and sunk into chair.
putting his hand to his forehead. as if
in pain. -
My beloved mother is ill-perhaps
dying, said the artist. family. Then.
starting up and looking at his watch |:
"There is just half an hour before the
train leaves. Help me, Cesare, to get
ready TO depart. s.s5ss @
Silently and hastily they packed q few
things into small portmanteau. Then
Antonio clasped Gigia to his breast, and
said, !" Farewell, beloved, cannot tell
why, but some presentiment of sorrow.
connected with thee, seems to oppre IS
my heart.
Gigia trembled like an aspen leaf. but
forced smile, and answered: 1t ;s
fancy, Antonio. Thou art anxious
about thy mother, and al seems gloom
to thee.'' -
!" Cesare, said the artist again, st
may be absent for weeks, and / leave
my treasure in thy charge. Be wary,
lest anything happen to her, for she is
dearer to me than life itself. Farewell. q
And with one more ex,a hrc M .. T.. I; ;a