The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-04-01
smile and guessed all; but she kept
her counsel and Umilta kept hers like

Signora Rosa's the, stout hearted, stern
mother, though her healtwas sore for her.
absent son, would not give any sign of
sorrow. She prepared a grander supper
than usual, and Dade all to come. In her
soul she said it never should be guessed
that her darling had been rejected by a
founding! XIII = :. III -. -
She ordered Umilta to, be present and
she obeyed, but when they were all at
supper she got away to her loft and went
to bed: ~!1''7" -. 49, =" q f-,..'
There was not a man amongst them
able to hold candle to Virginia, she
thought tall, so pale, so full of grace,
like any count or cavalier, and she had
cast him away like pine cone.
Meanwhile down below Meta Eari had
lost her pearl necklace, the gift of her
great-unclc.
The house was searched, but it was of.
no avail.
1--WE have looked everywhere, except
in the loft,' she cried, in despair.
"Comc, then, we will look there" said
Rosa, "though it's stuff and nonsense"
The shining of the light on Umilta's
eyes awokc her.
Nv nat Is ltE Snc murmurCQ.
"Netta has lost her necklace. OF course
it cannot here, bu: to satisfy her"
The phrase was never finished, tor as
Umilta rose, startled and confused,
pearl rolled to the floor.
Meta darted on it.
sit is minc," she shouted.
Donna Rosa's face grew thin and ash
en- gray in turn. She plunged her hand
into the hay, and drew out the necklace
Of Metals.
"Oh, you thief" screamed Meta.
"1t isn't possible, muttered Rosa,
"Umilta, do you understand? The pealls
were in your bed and Meta says you
stole them"
"I!' she cried aloud. II stole these
pearls? Donna Rosa, are you and that
girl both mad?'
''Oh, the thief the liar! Donna Rosa.
you must give her to the guards"
"As you will, Meta, it must never he
said that refused to deal justly by a
guest; but, 'Umilta, speak to me. Say
something. Are you innocent? I don't
believe you guilty"
"You may think what you like she
Salu WI III SupcTD ulSCalu.
So the guards were sent for and Until
ia proudly erect between them was tax
en- to the place of justice.
Tie interrogatlOns began.
All they could make her say was, sit
is a lie! I never took the pearls
| She would say nothing more and the
just soul of the good judge grew sad and
perplexed. With reluctance he aban-
doned all hope of saving one who would
not or could not save herself, SO in tones
full OF pity he consigned her to prison to
await her trial.
Umilta, who had stood four mortal
hours erect as one of the pines upon the
hills, fell straightway to the ground. The
guard lifted the inanlmate form and bore
it away. Meta turned pale, and the cru
ell light Of triumph began to fade out of
her eyes.
Donna Rosa broke down and sobbcd
| aloud, and when she reached home she
sat on her wooden settec and moaned,
ooh, I never knew loved the girl be-
fore.'
On the morrow Meta asked her tath-
| ther to take her to the city. The old
man stared, but Meta was the pet and in
the cad he took her down. She slipped
away to letter writer in the market.
Write this for me-" she whispered to
the scribbler: your fine Umilta has
stolen some pearls, and IS in prison. A
well-wisher thinks you were in luck to be
refused you: suit ~
Meta dropped the letter in the post
with her own hands. Now she did begin
to taste her vengeance.
The letter came to Virginia as he was
cleaning his sword in his barrack cham
| Der.
When he glanced over the brief letter
he sprang to his feet with a great oath.
Then he went straightway to his COM
handing officer and asked for leave of
absence.
"You have been back with your corps
only three months. Is your need ur-
gent?'
Virginio's face flashed darkly. $50 ur-
gent that if the most excellent chief does
not give it me 1 will take it at the risk OF
being shot.'
The commandant smiled.
"As we are alone will let that speech
pass. You can have three days' all
scnce."
At seven O'Clock in the early morning
at the door of the pretura of Florence was
seen standing soldier.
II am come for JUSTICE" he said to the
pretorc.
At the close of the interview the pre-
tore said ''You are sure the girl is limo
cent?'
~ will stake my life.''
"But you have no proof
II want none."
"Permit me one question; this accused
maiden is your betrothed?"
"No. I love her, but she spurned me
months ago"
$50! You are very generous then and
your word is worth so much the more
Would you like an interview with hcr?'
II would like to tell her I believe in
her, it you are good enough to grant me
this great kindness.
"Stay a moment, IS there any cause
why the accuser should bear any i'll will
toward the maiden accusedv'
ooh yes" said Virginia, with an Ital-
ian frank Indifference to considerations
of delicacy. "The girl, Meta, IS crazy
tor me. Her people, too, want me for
her."
The pretore smiled and signed to the
usher to take Virginia away with him.
"You can see her for only ten minutes"
said the usher.
That is better than naught,' and he
followed the conductor to door that
was heavily secured.
Umilta hsa been there three nights.
and they had done the work of years.
There was a haggard, hunted ferocity and
misery in her face that went to the heart
of the man that loved her.
"Umilta, don't you know me? I am
your friend always; your lover when you
will. Why don't you speak to ne9 be-
lieve it's all lie."
She looked at him incredulously. eco
away. go to Meta Sari, she wants you!
do not: am 4 thief rhev saw sO ,,