The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-10-04


bed, and with noiseless footstep, she
crept downstairs to where Eligia,
the FORTRESS, was nodding at her post.
'Eligia, she said, wistfully, are
tbcro any English families living in
Florence now
"There was II Signoro Cleveland,
the English nilord at the Villa Cas-.
tellani, on the Aron,' she said, after
q moments deliberation. He was
Oh Englishman, and people said he
married. ia English WIFE,
10 it far out of this city 7
Not far, Eligia answered f; "a
milo or 60. The signora would know
il by the superb marble statues on
either side OF gate. The Signor
MILFORD rains money down as II it
were water.
Mrs. Glenn stood hesitating q mo
ment.
She had never deliberately asked
for charity before, but the time had
come in which she had no alternative
left.
Her husband was perishing before
her eyes, and Geoffrey's long illness
had consumed oil their slender 70.
sources.
For herself fshe would almost have
covered down in some alley and
starved, but she could not sec the
sick man suffer.
i cannot beg Of strangers and al
ions, she thought, with thrill Of
aversion at the idea but / think !
could ask for help from come one
who was born in my own country
And thus reasoning within herself
Mrs. Glenn toiled along the burnS
ing road in the direction OF the Vil-
lani, having first made interest with
kind Eligia to sit with her husband
during her absence, last he should
want anything.
But when at last she reached the
magnificent mension, whose marble
colonades rose from groves Of Or
ange and oleander, her heart, like
that Of the queen Of Sheba, failed
within her.
AS she stood hesitating, q respect
able, white haired old butler came
to the door.
Did you want to SEQ Mr.. Cleve-
land 7" he asked, in accents that be-
trayed this English nationality.
II wish to see Mrs. Cleveland
poor Clara answered.
Your card, if you please, ma'am 7
said the butler.
II have no card" said Cara, color.
ing. "Tell Mrs. Cleveland that it is
an English lady who wishes to SOC
her."
And with some dignity she follow
cd the man into the ante-room,
where a gorgeous Persian rug COWS
cred the marble floor.
Presently O light footstep sounded
on the echoing pavement Of tho hall
without, and q tall lady dressed in
white muslin, wi tn floating ribbons,
entered the room.
She started back with q cry OF
glad surprise as her eyes fell on Mrs.
Glenn's wan and faded face.
"Clara T.
"My God it is Fanny Vivian y
shrieked Mrs. Glenn, scarcely boz
lieving her eyes.
And Fanny, ringing the bell for
wine and refreshments, threw her
arms around tho sister-in.law she
had never again expected to see.
Before dark Geoffrey Glenn was
comfortably established in ono Of the
great airy rooms of the Villa Castel-
lani, waited ON and nursed by Linda
Vivian, now grown q tall girl Of four
teen.
Fanuy's story, when related in
detail, proved romantic.
She had accepted an engagement
as governess with a'family going to
Italy, taking Linda with her.
There she had met with wealthy
widower, who had lost his heart to
her blue, wistful eyes and peach'like
bloom. and for five years she had
been living at Villa Castellani, like
young queen in her palace.
"You must stay with me now, both
Of you" said Fanny eagerly. 'You
must never 60 away from me.
~ consider Fanny's relatives ai
my own" said Mr.. Cleveland cor
daily.
While Geoffrey, looking up with
sad smile, said
al shall get we'll now, Fanny, fol
honestly believe that my trouble
was as much Of tho mind ~ OF thu
body"
That night when Fanny came Il
see IL all was comfortable In the in'
valid's sick chamber, Clara followet
her ont into the corridor.
Fanny whispered she, "will yo'
forgive mo 7"
'Forgivs you. Clara ? what for :
"Eoy the wicked words apok'