Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-03

Inc master nuTfle0 10 the rock; Cue SnrnD-
berry was undisturbed; nothing had been Iuch-
ed. He drew a breath OF relief. 1.-The mlsera-
Die 1ell0W followed me from Rome" he muir
INJURED; NO doubt he has watched my every
movement. What perseverance for young
mani"
Cerquozzis CONSERVATION was great.
His exhausted strength would not allow it
and without the treasure? That would be
SIMPLY to s say goodbye forever to his money;
He could only Sit down on the rock and pass the
day, dig up the chest in the evening. return
ana as there was nothing Better TO be
So he sat down with the delightful prospect
Of spending twelve hours on q hard stone, next
to barren looking hill wtthout even diversion
that always gave him great fright, since he
could not get the idea of thieves and robbers
out OF his head. At the end Of q pathway he
saw what he supposed to be a robbers cave; 1t
seemed to him that two glowing eyes glared at
him out OF the darkness-he was convinced tnat
bandits.
For two hours the painter had been tormented
Dy these dreadful fears, when suddenly slight
SOUND was audible, and perceiving young girl
approaching he was about to arise, his hand on
his dagger, when Size turned and fed like q
gazelle, frightened by his threatening move
ment.
He was seated again, but after few moments
the girl reappeared; this time from another side
ana approached him in very observing man
ner: ~ seems tome am watched, The thought.
When he looked closely at the girl he could
not refrain from crying out: Great heavens,
Know 1t well-she is the original Of GtacintOs
madonna; the scoundrel represents her we'll
that fellow is true artist"
Now he understood everything. This place
was the haunt OF bandits and GIacinto belonged
10 the band AS far as the madonna" was con-
cefned II was her part 10 spy out passing trav.
elerS and inform the band as to whether there
was any chance for good booty.
LET come v hat will, !" murmured the painter
resolutely, ''she shall sooner murder me than
drive me from this placev'
But his brave determination did not prevent
him from continuing. Nevertheless it is hard
to lose your life In defending little money
Wien If you lived you could easily earn twenty
ness I've made OF it all the way through"
1t seemed as though sort OF mistrIst of him
must possess the robbers; they did not venture
cowardice in him to yield the place to them.
His hand on his dagger, his eyes on the alert In
every direction. he was ready for anything.
This time she did not not try to hide herself; she
came much nearer the painter, although her
steps seemed t1mid.
not think that this tender little creature intends
to seize me but what II she were siren, and
should endeavor TO entrap me with her en-
ticing sweetness and the power of her charms?"
dropped her lovely eyes, raised them again,
and evidently did not know how to open con-
VeTSat1On.
"Now I'll make hasty attack" thought he:
"Tll show the little creature that all her at
tempts at captivating me viii be fruitless"
And SO, with severe look, he asked, shortly
"What do you want with me?''
Pardon, Sir" replied the beauty, drawing
back. "If you knew what brings me here am
sure you would address me more kindly. You
seem to be courteous gentleman"
courteous or not, ask you again what you
want"
81 want" said the girl, with more courage,
'to look under that rock you sit on, If you viii
for"
Cerquozz arose and look around in every d.
rectiOn Tor he was sure he would be surrounded
by bandits who would emphasize the bold re-
quest with their weapons But he saw that he
vas alone. quite alone with the girl. "The
the rock, This is the perfection of daring i'm.
pudence. Enoughi'' he cried pushing her back
with his hand, II tell you my patience is at an
epd.''
The young girl gave him an indignant puz-
zied look: who do you think am, Signor?"
she asked
IA daughter OF the devil who is trying with
Angels mask. l must say" and seized her
arm roughly, shat the mistake might easily be
MADE ~ one who could not see the hypocrisy
the girls cheeks were scarlet, and two great
tears FELL from her lashes:
'that could trace feeling of shame In your
bushes, and that your tears proved your re-
pentenee. Perhaps your heart is not altogether
you from Giacinto's infiuence." '0 ''' ~ fe'0ue
yen know aIl?"
.les, know all, or at least I've guessed ALL
influence that have led you astray.'
"Giacinto!" she exclaimed, her eyes flashing
IS .orthy Of my love, and am proud Of his. It
Is cowardly In you to attack an absent person
'Here ami" cried voice, and Giacinto came
suddenly from behind the rocks
Cerqu0zZi saw that at last the moment OF
ac cm3n had 1 come he gipPed his dagger more
AS dearly as can!"
GtacintO looked confounded
"My dear MASTER" said he at length, sswhat
are you afraid OF? am alone and unarmed"
'Unarmed? can't see through the folds
Of Of, your H mi mantel: And alone? The rocks that
"What do you think am, master?"
what do think you are, why a-a-a-a-
Giacientos face was 80 naive his master could
not finish the sentence.
what brought you here to this place this
morning before day break?" he asked. "What's
the meaning OF the mysterious coming and go
pear 50 suddenly before my eyess ' Aud md of Of
what interest is this rock to you that you both
want to look under it,"
MASTER" replied GiacintO, 'sthere is no use
longer keeping 1t secret for am driven to the
very point OF deSpair-Ilove Teresa!"
"Great news that" cried Cerquozzi, !" as III
DID not Immediately recognise the original OF
the six or eight madonnas that you attempted
in my studio"
"Ah, master went every Sunday to study, to
admire her lovely face and would always 20
back to you with the hope that my enthusiasm
and the Intervention OF some good fairy would
suddenly make great painter of me. But, how
soon CID discover, as you yourself said to me
once, that great painters do not fall down from
heaven"
What gave you SO sudden and impatient
desire 10 become great master?"
when declared my love for Teresa to her
lather, he answered me: I will only give INV
daughter to renowned artist or q wealthy
man." - "o"'
"Ah! Now understand"
"The last time saw Teresa she told me that
her father had arranged wealthy marriage for
her. Then destroyed my brush and palette:
and, since felt that had not been given fair
chance TO become either renowned or wealthy,
l res0lved''-
"To get happiness by foul means; therefore
you followed me last night, after had given
you your dismissal, which you took so quietly"
"lndeed, my dismissal was matter Of indlf-
ference to me, for / was ready to die, sooner
than see another have my 1dOlized Teresa. Not
knowing that you were going out last night, l
could not have followed you; and IL you wonder
at seeing me here, in the neighborhood of where
10 hao