The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-10
THE DAILY STAR
MY MAID FENELLA.

engdSeih0ue iihS hou 49,
week, down to the little bridge that runs
over the stream, to look at the reflection
of the moon in the water.
We said it was for that; and as an art
ist Carlos was always supposed to be on
the lookout for moonlight effects. and
sunset beauties, and all that sort OF
thing; but when one has been engaged
only for week, the midst of merry
circle of tourists is not always the pleas
ATTEST place to stay in. We longed to be
alone for a moment or two, that is the
truth of the matter. But when we
reached the bridge we found we were not
alone. There, leaning over the handrall,
A pretty picture in her pleasant dress,
with her long black braids hanging
down her back, was my maid, Fenela.
Beside her stood man, a gentleman, |
could see, even in that dim light. He
held Fenella's hand, and as passed by
heard soft whisper of endearment.
They were lovers, evidently; and the
day when we were alone l spoke to Fe
nella about it.
She only dropped me little courtesy,
and blushed shyly, and said nothing;
and IL was not old enough to preach to
her, and was quite romantic enough to
believe that any gentleman might fall IN
love with beautiful Fenella, and be glad
to make her his wife. ....
Would have loved Carlos less had he.
been born humble? or would he have
thought me less his mate had been a
peasant girl? We believed not. So l
took counsel of my lover, and we de-
cided that it was all very sweet and
beautiful, and that all lovers were as
true as we were; and we said nothing to
the older folks about Fenella's lover.
think that somehow Fenella and her
loyer guessed how we felt. They never
seemed to heed us when we met in lone
" spots. 1t was always evening, and |
never quite saw his face, but he had a
fine finure, bore himself exquisitely, and
beneath the cloak he wore we saw the
fash of Jewels He was some one of
wealth, If not of consequence-that was
svident. -
We tarried in that old villa only few
Afief weeks. Those who had the d rect
ion Of the. party whisked us away to
Ndo" other places before we two were
tired of it; but ere I parted with my
maid Fenella hired only for the time of
our sojourn, l had grown to like her very
much. and somehow l could not help
saving to her, as she braided my hair for
the last time:
"Fenella, before next summer comes |
shall be married. You guess who is TO be
INV husband, Of course. Would you like
to come and be my maid, when | am
married."
S.. toiiushed, aud gave me that little
courtesy Of hers.
.1am glad Miss Pansy is to be SO happy
I should like to be her maid if ! Were
aay ones; but Miss Pansy will tell no
boay9 am married."
she put her hand into her bosom anc
drew forth ring. "Nly wedding-ring,
she said. "He is very we'll born, and We
must keen secret awhile; but he loves
me very much, and |, ah! how well
love himW ID
So we exchanged condolences, | and
nv maid, and the next day we parted.
I returned home, but it was long be
fore ! for.sS.. foss. mel .e1 pretty face and pleasant
vays. Indeed, l can not truly sa.
that ever quite forgot them, but
heard no more of her. ...
Twas married before the next sprinl
came, and l lived happy life with m,
husband for FIVE pleasant years. Ever
spring we spoke Of Italy, and planned t
visit again the town where we had me
and learned to love each other; but
was hot until the sixth that we reall
carried out our plans, and after travt
Dfa week by land and by sea, foun
ourselves in the quaint old place wher
Fenella had been my maid, and where
had dreamed my loye-dream and kne
she had dreamed hers.
The old villa in which we had dive
stood empty that summer, and; to max
our visit still more full Of sweet menlol
les, we hired it for the season. With
We also hired the same old man al
woman who had ministered to the lar!
party of tourists who had crowded tt
Village during that vanished summer.
We two only had returned to it, a,
we lived in two or three Of the rooms
a sort of Bohemian fashion, which ,
found very pleasant. The very first d.
/ had questioned the old woman abo
FeuelIa, and she had shaken her head.
"Fenella is dead" she said. "She di
three months ago."
"And her husband?' / asked.
"Nobody knows where he is" the Q
woman said. while madame was he
with her party, long ago, Fenella had
sweetheart; but he vanished, no O
knew how or where. Then Fenella "
very unhappy, but she told no one al
thing. She lived here in this house wi
IN English lady, who took her as
maid, until the lady herself died. S
used to sit by the window Of that lit
loom and weep. had seen her; but
never told any one why. Never"
Then my old servant shook her be
spain, and departed kitchenward, lie
inc me to think over poor Finel
SLo,nahov 0rief had come To