Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-01-03

ever to say friendly word. For some
moments she remained thus motionless,
with Ter lips tightly compressed, her
eyes looking out over the water, and her
manner that OF studious Indifference
Presently she tied her handkerchief
over her head to protect it from the
burning rays OF the sun, and began to
eat q roll which she drew from her
pocket.
"Here are couple OF oranges TO eat
with your bread, Laurelia," said her
companion, holding out the fruit. ~
did not save them for you, but they
dropped from tho baskets, and found
them at the bottom of the boat"
"Eat them yourself. I do not need
anything"
"They are refreshing on such warm
day, and You had long walk at Capri
81 had water, and do not want the
oranges"
GAS you please" he returned. drop
ping the fruit into the basket. After
several moments Of silence Antonino
spoke: "You might take those two
oranges to your mother"
1--WE have plenty at home. As soon
as they are gone can buy more" was
the ungracious reply.
"Well, take them to her, with my
compliments"
"She does not know you, and neither
do l."
Nov, this was not strictly true, for
they had frequently met at the village
festivals, and Laurella had been the
recipient Of many an attention at Anto-
nino's hands, sometimes accepting them
graciously, and then again mercilessly
ignoring them and him. 1t suited her
present mood to treat him as though he
were her enemy. This wounded him to
the quick. He bit his lip, and jerked at
the oars angrily, unconscious OF the
spray that wet him to the skin, while
she, with provoking Indifference OF his
presence, leaned over the side OF the
boat, bathed her face, took down her
massive black hair, recoiled it and re-
placed her kerchief.
They were alone. Capri lay far be-
hind, and Sorrento was scarcely discern
IDLE in the dim distance. There was
not boat in sight. A sudden idea
seized Antonino. He turned pale, and
dropped his oars with determined
air. Involuntarily Lausella raised her
ewes to his face, wondering but fear
less.
~ must put an end to this" he e1-
claimed. "Your coldness has almost
killed me. You do not know me, you
say. Have you not seen how 1 have
watched for you, longing for one word,
one look, never daring TO tell You that
your image filed my hearth Though
you turned away, and refused to speak
to me, loved you to distraction"
"IIl have nothing to say to yon,"
she replied, CURLY. ~ will never
marry at all, and do not desire to make
myself the town talk"
"Do you suppose believe that, be-
cause You discarded the artist' Bah!
that was a year ago. The time will
come when you will be glad to marry
any one. You will not always be
young"
"What difference can that make to
your
"What difference to meT he re-
peated, starting forward. "Can you
ask2 Do you suppose that will ever
stand calmly by and permit any other
man to lead you to the altar? Sooner
would kill you and myself"
81 do not fear your threats. I shall
do as please"
"You shall not speak so ]" he e1-
claimed, trembling in every limb.
You are in my power now, and must
do as please"
"Kill me if you darel" she returned,
starting back and glaring at him.
Zone must not do things by halves.
The sea is wide and deep enough for us
ooth," he cried, Selling the girl in his
ums. In an instant he relaxed his
oold, for she had bitten his right hand,
and blood streamed from the wound.
Must do as you please, indeed
she asked, mockingly, as with one
spring she disappeared beneath the
waves.
Antonino stood breathlessly watching
her as she rose and swan with all her
might in the direction of Sorrento. He
seemed to have lost his senses. Pres
emily he regsined the oars, and, in spite
of the wound, overlook the swimmer.
"For Gods sake, come into the boatP
he cried. 81 was q fool!-an idiot!
The demon got possession OF me.
did not know what said or did. For
give me, Laurells, and save yourself
Come into the boat"
She seemed not to hear his appeal.
"You will never be able to reach the
shore. Think of your mother, Laurella,
and save yourself for her sake"
The girl knew that he was right, for
her strength was giving out. Without
Offering reply she turned to the boat
and dragged herself in. While wiring.