The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-09-09

gathered together In conave IN the
grand square in the old toYr
81 knew as much" said erto.
81 could have sworn it !'tried Anto
nello.
40 be sure T. exclaimedA tLird-"I
always said it was secret
"The lucky dog |, to, will visit
Flanders |" cried Berto. 81 am only
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS bd !"
"And how my naughty distress, who
queens it so before the restof us-how
she has softened in his favr."'
"He is rare fellow, md rolls in
gold !"
"She will marry him il ie wishes
she is young and untamed- and her own
mistress withal."
"Jupiter-what lucky bgr'
81 swear" said old Berte 81 will go
to Flanders, too +
1t was night, and q very hight moon
ascending in the heaven rendered every
thing as visible, only in moe softened
outlines, as in the day. The young
lover had wondered forth in a secluded
path by the river, which wound for
nearly its whole course through thick
groves. He was not, however, long al
lowed to be alone Caetag,n, the fritnd
and guide of his infant jears, Joined
him, and they walked together a long
time, and conversed earnestly. At
length Castagna said
Dominica, you know have ever
cherished for you an affection all pator-
nal. l have watched ovtr your inter
ests with fidelity and vigilnce. l have
been your best friend.
"And so | esteem you, my dear Cas-
tagna.'
"But what is friendship, Dominica
1t is mutual confidence. 1t is inter-
change of each others thoughts and
sympathies. If you have pleasure you
divide them. All l have soul for
friendship. Too well l know what it is.
Too long have L sighed for true and
real return"
Am l not your friend, Castagna p
No!-oh, no y
No-how--VOu Jest
You hold secret from me- Domiui-
ca, Between friends there are no see
retS
But, Castagna. this is o part of my
profession. To ask it of me is to ask
my fame. You are yourself so good an
artist that you stand ut the head of the
art in Florence"
"Not now-not since you have re-
turned
" But l freely confess to al that; not
skill alone. but remarka able mechanical
discovery only, places me in the emf
hence which-how-you weep, Castag-
ma"
Did Il-why, believe there was a
drop-I felt it rise to my lius. did
not know that it had left my lashes. |
am old and tender-hearted-and some
times | think that | am almost falling
into my dotage. Yes, Dominica, l did
shed tear-not from disappointment at
losing the secret-oh, no but at the
fading away of vision-a rainbow of
the heart-a bright, deceitful, false,
and"
My dear, good Castagna, what is it
you would say2'
"Your friendship, by beloved and
once trusted Dominica-l thought it
mine. pleased myself with the IDEA
that you loved me. Except yourself
there was no one on earth to whom my
heart chung secretly. l have seen you a
boy at my feet | have watched your
course to manhood with fathers solici-
tude and delight. | have not always,
perhaps, sufficiently discovered ny feel
ings, but"
Eyes, my dear Crstagna, / know you
have always loved me. You once saved
my life at the risk OF your own"
al did. | was determined not to re-
member that incident first"
Moreover, when was in want you
furnished me with gold.
"That, too, feared you had forgot
ten"
"And, Csstagno-perhaps-indeed, |
feel convinced that l have lot been
right in concealing from you my Utmost
thought and knowledge. Yet, in relat-
ing to you the secret which you desire,
l am about to make a great sacrifice.
You are now the first Florentine artist
after myself Possessed Of the secret,
you will be the first. Yet, on condition
that you never reveal it, it shall be dis
closed to you