Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-01-03
LAURELIA.
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 well-flled 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 as speed
lily as possible.
Here comes another passenger"
was the boatman's reply, Us a 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 !" exclaimed the
priest, with kindly smile.
GOOD day, la Rabbiata," cried
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,
Laurellag' asked the priest.
of the father does not object" was
the humble reply.
"You must ask Antonino; he owns
this boat
This is oil the money I have" said
the girl, holding out \ small coin.
keep it; yen need it more than !
do" returned Antonino, while he moved
couple of baskets Of oranges to make
Dom for her.
al do not choose TO travel for moth
ing" replied Laurells, bauehtily.
Come, thld," interposed the priest,
taking her hand and drawing her into
the boat, Tony is a good-hearted lad
and will not accept your money. See,
he has spread his jacket for you to sit
mon; 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?
asked Father Curato.
"Silk and yarn TO sell at Capri" was
the reply.
What did that boy mean when he
called you Ia Rabbiata% asked the
priest, after pause. at 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. 1 wish
they would leave me alone; I never do
them any harm"
but you ought to be kind and
friendly toward every one. 1t 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 q year
ago."
The girl looked down in silence, and
her eyes flashed. She glanced stealth
ily toward the boatman, who, with his
cap drawn down to conceal his eyes,
owed on, evidently occupied with his
own thoughts. The priest caught the
glance and was silenced. Presently
Antoniro dropped his anchor at the
Capri dock, and stepped forward to as
sist the passengers ashore. He took
the priest in his arms and, wading
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.
81 may stay over night, Tony" said
the priest, $50 you need not wait for
me to return. You, Laurella, will 20
back before dark, suppose?"
"If I cam" she replied, busying her.
self with her clothing.
az shall wait for You till after yes.
pers, but il 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 by
all means, Laurells," added the priest
SIT will not DO to leave her alone all
night"
She stopped and reverently Kissed
his hand then with . distant nod to
Antonino, proceeded on her way.
A few hours later Antcnino, who had
aold his oranges and RECALLED himself al
the inn, stood upon the dock making
arrangements for his return trip. Soon
Laurella approached, but hesitated
when she reached the waters edge, and
looked about in hopes Of having othel
passengers TO accompany her. But sh'
was disappointed, and Antonino put al
end to her hesitancy by silently picking
her up in his arms, and placing her II
the boat. A few strokes Of tho "sr