Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-03-06
GORDON.

sunshine WAS OH Her Uodullltll lldlI-
evening sunshine, which turned the
wreath of plaits she wore into crown
of FURNISHED gold. She came floating
N, through the flower and fruit-gemmed
orange trees. through the crimson and
pure white cameia blooms; violets
grew beneath her feet, and she seemed
to me part of the glory and the fra
GRANGE of the sunset and the blossoms.
Below the terrace where [ stood lay
the sea, where blue faded to green, and
green to opal, melting into one deep
far-stretching mystery of purple and
light and banks of golden cloud. Pal
aces and domes Of stately spires shone
white against the dark ckground of
distant mountains. Suddenly the mu-
sic Of many bells rung out on the still
air, their Ginning softened by distance
Into low, faint sweetness. They were
be bells of the stately marble city that
shone so fair across her cleaning bay.
The first bell notes were taken up and
echoed by the bells of chapels in villages
along the shore; of converts hidden
away in country dells and valleys, till
the air was full of lingering prayerful
sound Through it, through the magi-
cal Italian twilight came the woman [
loved She came and stood beside me,
looking across the water to where Ge-
noaTs palaces glimmered against the
sky; but do not think she saw or
thought of them. There was dreamy
.ook in her eyes, a cold, set WEAKNESS
,bout her mouth, which is only seen in
lose whose thoughts have drifted far
rom where they stand.
care you tired Of THIS placer" | at
ength ventured to ask her.
"Not particularly" she answered;
you know [ never care much where |
M" The words sounded petulant; but
lid as she said them, they were only
cary. | should have been glad if she
ad ever shown Impotence; anything
.ther than the cold quiet which ever
upon her beauty like pail At
st, in my triumphant happiness at
.sving won her promise to be my wife,
is GOODNESS had not chilled meas ii
.metimes d1d now-to the heart, so
nged, SO hungered for a word Of love,
"a tender look. Allher stately beau
would soon be mine, and it seemed
Il as far from me as ever.
We leaned on the low parapet Of the
race, while the music of the bells
ed away, till only the slow beating of
waves broke the stiffness. It was an
ur of wonderful peace and beauty,
a strange sense of unrest took pos
sion of me, and Jared the music Of
waves and the restful quiet of the
light Standing there close to her,
the certainty that soon she would
my own forever, a vague thrill Of
came over me, a fear lest all this
erish joy Of knowing she was mine
ght vanish away and leave me a lone
rial. This love for her had become
me an all-absorbing passion; and yet
never for one moment allowed me
hink that my love was returned.
haps it was the might Of her beauty
filled my senses; yet have seen
.utiful women since, and had seen
n before | first saw her on the walls
We the old Etruscan gateway at
ugia
ne morning the week before, had
lied out from the dull hotel; and
ing the street with its tall houses
quaint old fountain, glowing in the
first freshness, [ sauntered on to
walls, and there [ first saw her. Be-
bled In the sunshine; Wreaths of
d-leaved vines chung to the gray
rees, clothing them with borrowed
ty of youth and freshness. Hun
Of flowers blushed in the light,
varied odors from herb and bios
filled the air with a subtle languor.
re, on the lichen-covered wall, with
ckground of purple mountain, a
g frame for her stately loveliness,
at, looking out across the sunlit
with the dreary far away look in
reat deep eyes, and the naughty
ness upon her chiseled face. [
cred about, drinking draughts of
lty; fancying it was my artistic
e that got me there watching her
till she rose YEARLY, and slowly
King down the street, entered the
i where | was staying.
found on inquiry that Mrs. We're
and her piece, Miss Mayne, had ar
I'd there the previous evening. [
sometimes met Mrs. Vereker in
ldon; and later on in the day, while
as carelessly examining the carving
the fountain IN the square, L saw her
my vision of the morning standing
the cdIneQrdl steps. MIS-. VeToKef
ne forward with that frienGliness we
| for slight home acquaintance
ON we may chance to meet when
oad So | joined them, and we
olled on, chatting over .home news.
5 Mayne seldom spoke, and yet that
k seemed to me strangely happy
Mrs. Vereker told me they had
y been q day in Perugia, and had
:nded going on at once to Rome;
the mountain air and mountain
rs were SO delightful that they had
nged their minds, and intended re-
ming for some time at Perugia.
had come to the old town to study
to search the blazoned manuscripts
& hidden In sacristy and convent,