The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-12-22
v.-rnE GOLDEN FRUIT.

The Church Of 0gnissanti is old, mouldy.
and infested by throng Of waiting mendi.
cants. Above the door is still a beautiful
Luca della Robbia, with its Madonna in re.
lief against a background Of porcelain blue,
and the slender tower still rises behind. but
the sacred edifice is shorn Of the adjacent
monastery, where once dwelt the brethren of
the Umiliate, who built the Carraja Bridge.
The young girl Elena, ignorant Of the chan
ges wrought at home, found herself at this
portal, led hither solely by interest in the two
frescoes, one Of which had served purpose
in her fathers picture. The interior of the
church was clouded with incense; lamps burn
ed before favorite shrines, where few wor.
shippers knelt. A monk in brown robe pass.
ed before the chanceli lay brother was
screening sacred crueiix. Midway between
door and ehancel, Bottieelli's San Ambroqio,
in prayertul attitude, pen in hand, is seated
before lectern holding the open book, his
bishops mitre at his elbow. Opposite CHR
landajo's San Girolamo rests his thoughtful
brow on his hand as he writes, surrounded by
books, rosary, hour'glass; aud on the shelf
behind, quaint vessels with reed pointed han
dies, such as were emblematic OF the medical
profession in the days when the Medici we're
doctors.
Elena knew every lue and curve of these
old frescoes by heart She could scarcely re.
member when she first saw them. Now her
developing perceptions caused her to study
living forms-the smile Of a baby, the action
Of u horse, tho wrinkles Of toothless beegar.
kneeiing object arrested her attention as
as atom Of humanity. This was a dwarf; alb
leet despair depicted on his upturned face, as
he cr6uched on the pavement in little heap.
Inc earnestness of his prayer was intense.
Grr.arzn a Il. \ .
The child-artist stood behind him, and nm.
consciously put her head on one side in med.
itatiou. What o study he would make the
distorted body and pathetic, meagre face /
Was he praying aloud? Listen.
20 holy mother of God, and all the saints,
forgive my SIM monned the little man.
The words fell unheeded on the girls car.
What if she sketched this manikin before a
street shrine
" Tie scenf 20 the ricer"
Who uttered these words2 Elena started
and glanced around. No person was near.
and her gaze reverted to the dwarf. At 4
glance she comprehended the crisis, because
1t was sadly familiar one. The dwarf was
praying here before committing suicide. Did
not such catastrophes occur livery year? Had
not Elena been told the circumstance repeat
edly BY sympathetic Marietta She went uu
% the dwarf and touched him on the shout
DER. foa must come with me, she said,
quietly Her heart beat violently with fear
and sudden trepidation. She was alone, and
somebody must act.
Aiessandro Lungini turned toward her, sud.
den awe freezing his features. Was she the
angel Of his dream who had oblitefated The
lucky numbers on the wall Was she, ia still
more tangible shape, the owner Of the purse,
with flying golden hair7 He did not Question
her right TO command him, and followed hel
out into the square. Here she paused 4 mo.
ment to choose her course.
The Lung Arno basked in glow Of after
noon sunshine, and was thronged with crowdI
| Of pedestrians in their holiday attire, and ths