Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-04-12
From the Family Journal.
THE HOUSEHOLD SKELETON,
BY MISS e. B. CHEESBOROUGH.

Could Guido's picture of Beatrice
Cenci be Invested of its deeply mourn
full expression, you would have an ex-
act likeness of Signora Agnese Guerini,
as | first saw her wandering in the
Villa Reale, at Naples. There was the
same delicate beauty in the face: the
same broad forehead, arched eyebrows.
and "eyes beautifully tender and Sc
rene" But, unlike that wierd picture
of the unhappy Beatrice, not one
shadow OF despair rested on the lovely
countenance of Signora Agnese; there
was look of inward peace, of calm
content, that shed light of peculiar
beauty over the features of her radi-
ant face. AS [ saw her moving Sc
renely amid the fountains and statues
that CLEAN out from among the
flowers and trees of the Villa Reale, I
said: There surely walks the happiest
woman in al Naples No sorrow has
ever shaded her brilliant path, no I'M
happy love saddened her pirlhood, no
Gorturing doubt, no cruel death.
Wealth has emptied its golden store at
her feet; and love, satisfied love, has
filled up the measure of her passionate
yearnings No marvel that content
decks her brow like a regal diadem
for, what has her heart ever known of
sorrow, that worldwide heritage? Over
q fowery path she passed from girl
heod to WomanhoOd, and now stands
before me the beautiful type of COM
piete happiness" Thus [ unused whilst
the lovely signora, with her calm, high
brow and serene eyes, swept past me,
..arrayed with regal splendor.
lime brought us nearer together,
and IN tne course of our acquaintance,
L disclosed to her my thoughts.
Seated one day In her princely apart
sment, in the street of St. Lucia, | was
silently watching the quiet happiness
that irradiated her lovely face, whilst
her eyes were fixed in contemplation
gon the beautiful scene without. The
far-famed bay of Naples stretched its
blue length of waters before us, girt
with picturesque islands and luxuriant
shores. In the distance, we caught the
faint outline of the conical Vesuvius
at whose fiery foot sleep the villages of
Vortici and Resina. Above all, foated
In feathery lightness countless clouds
Hinged with golden hue 1t was from
the contemplation of this charming
picture that the signora withdrew her
eyes to answer my question, and refute
my confident assertion.
Signora, you are the only complete
:ly happy person ever met with
Pray, tell me, did your soft dark ewes
ever swim In a troubled sea of tears p
She sighed-a sigh from her very
heart; how strangely it sounded-that
note of woe, like the wailings of a
minor key in marriage song.
Yes, signora," [ persisted, though
the echoes of the sigh yet fingered on
my ear; surrounded by wealth, by
love again she sighed" how Joy
winged are your moments; no regrets
for the past, no haunting memories fol
the future"
She raised her eyes, and looked al
me; it was the calm despair of the
= Gencrs eyes that met me now. | heed
ed 1T not, as [ continued:
Oh, why has sorrow ever pursued
my steps; hope after hope paled, ther
died forever; the horrible spectre OF
poverty menacing me in the distance
death bearing off those I best love, anc
lsve itself bringing me only tears, re
gets, despair While you happy
.agnora -
"Have known all this" she said
eneekly.