The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-19

ever since. ..~.'
CORSICAN LOVE SKETCH.
''Siore, it is a beautiful prospect you
have from this tower, and as you are
an artist, OF course you fully appreci-
ate it,
Nolan Gordon closed his sketch book
hastily, and turned from the pictur-
esque landscape to meet thu gaze of
the speaker. He was a young, hand
some, wealthy American, who was
spending season in the lovely island
of Corsica, and indulging his artistic
tastes in sketching the many quaint
and interesting scenes of that romantic
island. AS we introduce him to the
reader, he is sitting in the tower of
Arcenl, one Of those numerous desert
ed structures which are to be found in
all parts Of the island, and which form
romantic episodes in the history of
Corsica.
The face which met his gaze was
that of Corsican girl of wondrous
loneliness, her dark, brilliant eyes
scintillating with an innocent boldness
which caused him to lose his self-pos-
session almost entirely for the mo.
ment. The picturesque costume, the
exquisite face, the graceful figure, and
musical tones of the girl sent an cleo
trio thrill through the whole being Of
the young man. His embarrassment
was but momentary, however, and he
replied:
You surprised me, fair lady! You
speak truly in regard TO the view from
this tower. Beautiful scenery abounds
in every part of your lovely island.
Who wonders that Napoleon thought
Corsica unsurpassed by Paradise? l
would II be content to live' love; and die
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 land
foreign to your own!' the girl re-
turned, half questioningly, half posi-.
lively.
''Yes, am an American, and though
am sufficiently patriotic, | must say
that there is as be ,utiful scenery and
thrice beautiful women in Corsica, if
you are a sample of the latter. Pray,
pardon me, may | ask your name {?
Mine is Nolan Gordon
Il am Vannina Pinelli, and I dwell
in y0nder mansion, half concealed by
those olive groves and rowan trees. I
did not know that this tower was oc.
cupied, or / should not have come
hither.
81 am glad you were ignorant of my
presence, if you would have been de-
TERED from coming otherwise. If I
was more of an artist, | should wish to
paint your likeness. But could not
do it justice if should try. Those
mandiles set off the beauty of you Cor
sicans to a wonderful degree. l wish
American women would adopt the
style in preference to their present
awkward head-dresses.
Vannina's countenance flushed at the
compliments of the handsome Amer
lean.
''You may paint my likeness if you
so desire, Store. 1t would be very
pleasant to look upon it, and think of
him who painted it, she said, her
eyes glowing.
II will do my best. Come to see me
tomorrow at his hour, and | will be-
gin the pleasant task - Nolan Gordon
returned. The girl gazed moment
upon the dome of distant tower in
silence, and then said, with her usual
viyaclous abruptness, 81 will come as
oil
alone now, except for the servants.
My father died only few short
months ago, and cannot bear to sta
alone. You will come and visit me
siore?''
Nolan gazed upon the beautiful Cor
sican in surprise. Naught but simplic-
ity and purity were visible upon her
fair features, and he answered:
81 will accept of your invitation.''
She turned to go, but he seized her
tiny white hand and raised it to his
lips. She turned quickly and in mo-
ment was gone.
AS she walked briskly toward her
dwelling she muttered softly to her.
self:
lie is very handsome and thinks /
am also. And he kissed my hand, and
is going to paint my likeness, and
and-1 love him.
AS she descended from the tower.
she did not observe the crouching fig
ure Of a young, dark-faced man who
had been listening to her conversation
with the young American, nor did she
see him arise and dog her footsteps as
she approached her dwelling: AS she
entered a grove of olive trees near the
latter he FASTENED ahead of her, and
stepped into her path with menacing
abruptness.
''Vittorio Paoli, whence did you
come so suddenly p she asked step.
ping involuntarily backward.