The examiner., 1881-11-19
IAURELLA.
AN ITALIAN LOVE STORY.


 hung the snug little harbor of Sorrento, early one midsummer morning, a score of men were busily engaged preparing their boats for trips to the neighboring towns, while as many fishermen were drawing their we'll filled nets that had been spread overnight. Soon Father Curato, the worthy priest of Sorrento, stepped into one of the boats and re- quested to be rowed to Capri ss speed fly as possible.
 "Here comes another passenger" was the boatman's reply, as young girl, with large bundle under her arm, hurried along one of the rugged paths leading to the water, and waved red cotton handkerchief to attract attention.
 ooh, it is Laurella p exclaimed the priest, with kindly smile.
 "Good-day, Ia Rabbiata," cried 8 youth from boat near by, with mock ing laugh.
 The girls eyes flashed angrily, and she drew herself up with proud dignity.
 "Are you going with us to Capri, Laurella ?' asked the priest.
 elf the father does not object" was the humble reply.
 "You must ask Antonino; he owns his boat"
 "This is all the money I have," said the girl, holding out small coin.
 "Keep it; you need it more than l do," returned Antonino, while he moved a couple of baskets of oranges to make room for her.
 "I do not choose to travel for noth- ing" replied Laurella, haughtily.
 "Come, child" interposed the priest, taking her hand and drawing her into the boat, "Tony is good-hearted lad and will not accept your money. See, he hassspread his jacket for you to sit upon; he did not show me such con- sideration. But it is always so with young fellows; they take more pains to please one pretty girl than they would for dozen priests"
 Meanwhile Laurella had quietly pushed the jacket aside and seated her. self. Antonino muttered something under his breath as he sturdily piled his oars.
 What have you in your bundle 2 asked Father Curato.
 "Silk and yarn to sell at Capri" was the reply.
 "What did that boy mean when he called you la Rabbiata?" asked the priest, after. 8 pause. "IJ is not nice name for Christian"
 The girl colored and answered, snap pishly:
 "They make fun of me because re- fuse to dance with them and to talk nonsense, as other girls do. wish they would leave me alone; never do them any harm."
 "But you ought to be kind and friendly toward every one. It will not do for you to be so cross and naughty as you were toward the Neapolitan art ist who asked you to marry him a year ago."
 The girl looked down in silence, and her eyes flashed. She glanced stealth lily toward the boatman, who, with his cap drawn down to conceal his eyes, roWed on, evidently occupied with his owh thoughts. The priest caught the glance and was silenced. Presently Antonino dropped his anchor at the Capri dock, and stepped forward to as, sist the passengers ashore. He took the priest in his arms and, wadine through the shallow water, placed him on the dock; then turned toward the girl, but she had tucked up her skirts, and with her bundle in one hand and her wooden shoes in the other had made her way through the surf alone.
 'I may stay oyer night, Tony" said the priest, ''so you need not wait fol me to return. You. Laurella, will go back before dark, suppose ?"
 elf can," she replied, busying her. self with her clothing.
 "I shall wait for you till after yes, pers, but it is all the same to me whether you come or not," said Anto. nino, in tone that he sought to make indifferent.
 "You must return to your mother bJ all means, Laurella," added the priest ''it will not do to leave her alone all night"
 She stopped and reverently kissed his hand then with distant nod tc Antonino, proceeded on her way.
 A few hours later Antonino, who had aold his oranges and regaled himself al the inn, stood upon the dock making arrangements for his return trip. Soor Laurella approached, but hesitated when she reached the waters edge, and looked about in hopes of having other passengers to accompany her. But she was disappointed, and Antonino put ar end to her hesitancy by silently picking her up in his arms, and placing her in the boat. A few strokes of the oars brought them out upon the bay. Lau rella turned half way from her com. panion. and seemed less disposed than ever to say friendly word. For some moments she remained thus motionless, with her lips tightly compressed, her eyes looking out over the water, and her AhoN nf o&x Ssn1 1$