The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-01

.'Here's pretty state of things? Il
must have been as blind as bat not to
have seen it before"
1t was Thorburn who spoke, and the
words were addressed 10 himself in tone
of vexation and perplexity.
Three weeks had passed away, and
Desmond, thanks partly to an excellent
constitution, but chiefly to Bianca's ten
der nursing, had "healed him of. his grie-
vious wouad," and. was pronounced by
the worthy leech of. San Giovanni to be
quite we'll enough to travel. But he
showed a reluctance to leave his present
quarters, which Thofburn was at a loss
to understand, till, returning from a
sketching expedition one afternoon, he
was accidentally the witness OF q scene
which let food of light into his mind,
and caused him to utter the ejaculation
recorded above.
Desmond, white and gaunt, but as
handsome as ever, lay on the turf in the
shadow of the chestnut trees at the side
of the house. Blanca sat near him; she
had tress of straw in her fingers, but
she was not plating. Her hands lay
idle on her lap. her eyes were downcast.
Never had she looked SO lovely at this
moment, when her face was transfgured
by some new and sweet emotion. M
Leaning on his elbow and his side, and
looking at her with all his heart i'm his
eyes, Desmond was speaking earnestly,
passionately; evidently pleading his
cause with all lovers eioquence.
Thorburn saw her give him one quick
glance, in which joy and sadness were
strangely mingled; saw him take hel
hands, and drew her nearer, until hel
golden hair brushed his lips-then sud
denly becoming conscious that he was
playing the spy, he went indoors, ant
sat down at the table near the window.
"Hm-well, if he will make fool O
himself, he must. Certainly, she is 4
lovely creature, and she saved his life
and Anyway, l can't interfere. "
He had not hong arrived at this con
clusion, when, to his surprise, Biancs
entered. There was look on her fact
which made him exclaim: -. ...
"Wbat is the matter? Is Desmont
worse?" '.- "a. ... a@.l .
"No, Signor, he is BETTER" she said
quietly; $50 much better that he cal
spare me now. So / am going"
"GoingW he echoed; "going where"
"To the Convent of Corella Lucii
will take charge Of the house till | re-
turn--if ever return. Perhaps, by ane
by, I shall take the veil"
j He looked at her without speaking
lShe stood before him in an attitude O
composed and patient melancholy, he
Hands folded before her, her eyes veilet
| by theirwhite lids . @
'Does my friend Lnewg' he asked >
length.
Her lips quivered.
'No, I-couid not tell him. You vii
tell him tonight when i am gone."
"He will be deeply hurt at gour leav
ing him in this way. You mrust know
that he e t9tEs tF.
eyes" she interrupted, A4 know. j
is because | know it that ] leave him
Signor, he has just asked me to be hi
wife-me," she repeated, with a sInil'
of sslf-pity. 'Look at me and think .
it,"
Thorbuyn did look at her, standin,
before him in her matchless loveliness
and, regardless of prudence, said wha
came into his mind.
; ssYour beauty would grace any sts
tion." rrI'8 s.rs5 ID i i
sMy beauty-and when that fades
WHAT'S there left to charm himY | an
an ignorant peasant. |. could not Lea
his life, or think his thoughts. Soope
or lster he would weary of me, and tDel
i then my heart would break"
She was silent a moment.
mo, no." she continued. Mt is q hun
dred times inpossiblel He will griev
for awhile, but the world is all befor
him; he will soon--yes, soon forget" ~
eAnd you, Blanca" % 9l'9r y t2o5 ...''
n She looked out through the window, q
if she were looking into the dim vista o
|. years to come. ID gss .F6. 8fF
/ "And I-shall remember" she mpl
\ ,o,,rod os che turned away 2 7"