Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-08-24

whether 1t was the tone, whether 1t
was something she read in his eyes as
they stayed fixed ON her, or whether
it was some electric message in the
air, Lilias could not have told; but
there, by the convent wall, she guess
ed for the first time that Ralph loved
her.
Together they leaned over the old
stone sides, and looked down into the
deep, round abyss to where far, far
against background of blue sky,
across which at that moment a fieecy
cloud was sailing. Ralph's wish was
that the day might come when Flor
ence's river should divide them no
longer. Lilias wished that the NOR
row might bright bring Eustacc Cal
Won to Florence. So, silently, the
two contrary wishes were sent down
the old well-Ralph guessing nothing
of how the other wish clashed with
his own; Lilias just conscious that
it was possible both should not agree.
Then they recrossed the sunny gar
den to join the carriages waiting in the
shade at the entrance gates, and they
all drove back to Florence. And the
solemn, silence-bound monks, I'M
mindful of the worlds love stories,
came out at sunset to draw water at
the old well, which to them was moth
ing but source of common useful
ness.
A few days afterwards, in the early
morning, the artists were left stand
ing on the station platform, from
whence pile of luggage from the
Hotel de lEurope had just cleared,
waving adieuX to the express train
going north. Both were sorry for the
departure of their mutual friends !;
both also mad special cause in their
regret Lilias would have liked to
have met Eustace Calvon again; she
would have described him as IAN old
friend-nothing more" and SO when
he did not come she was not broken
hearted, but bore the disappointment
very philosophically. Had they met
that Summer the old friendship might
have ripened into something stronger,
but business detained young Calvon
in England for three days longer than
the patience of his relations could en-
dure, and when he was free it was in
the Engardine-not in Florence-that
he joined them.
Mr.. Alverton soon made the discov-
cry that the old ladies-the chief occu-
pants of the pension where Lilias was
living were most charming and de
lightful people. And So it happened
that at last his evening visits became
scarcely less regular custom, than
the appearance of the s o'clock tea
tray with its two large teapots of
watery tea. 1t was never u dingy,
never a poky place, that salon, to
Ralph, for the girl with the golden
glory hair of the angel was there, and
her presence made it seem to him an
earthly paradise. And somehow,
even though the surroundings were "a
crowd of old maids i'll smart evening
caps, bad tea, and cracked old piano,
Lilias learned better every evening
what the wish was that Ralph had at
heart; and her own wish faded out of
memory. Eustace was far away, and
had never been more than IAN old
FRIEND" Ralph Alverton was close,
and made her understand that he
NotlIu nOb Dt COlllCilb ltllLIl ut ItdClCN
a higher standing than mere friend
ship.
Lilias surrendered. They settled it
i'll SO many words one day at the far
end of the Caecine where Lilias had
been left to wait for friend The
friend was late i'll keeping her appoint
mcnt, and Mr.. Alverton happened to
arrive instead. There, on stone seat
just beyond the monument to the
India Prince, Lilias promised every
thing required of her, while some light
fluffy seeds from a tree overhead fell,
scattering at her feet, and eddied light
ly around-north, south, east, west,
like emblems of uncertainty; but
words were said which sealed two
fates, and close beside them flowed the
yellow Arno, which soon should sep
crate them no longer
Happy days were those which fol
lowed; happier day was that to which
they looked forward in the following
June. But before that day which was
to give them to one another, came
Eustace Calvon to Florence. And with
him came discord between the lovers.
How it began, how it continued, who
was most to be blamed, none but
themselves could ever guess; but Flu
STAGE Calvon was somehow (uninten
tionally) the center-chord which caus
ed the jar. Ralph grew jealous, sus-
picious; showed heat and hastiness.
Lilias was proud, resentful and
turned cold as ice. The whole Calvon
party had returned to Florence, and
Ralph chose to disapprove of them all.
He complained that Lilias let herself
be monopolized by them, that Eustace
talked too much to her; that he
would not endure it; he would not
stand it. Lilias, conscious that no
cause for wrath existed, and finding
Eustace simply friendly and civil, re
scented such injustice, and affirmed,
impatiently that mo one should make
her cast off old friends" Circum-
stances and misunderstanding helped
to widen the breach, until the climax
was reached one day in high words on
the Ponte di Carraja, where, without
farewell, they parted--she across the
bridge to one side, he across the bridge
to the other side. Divided, yes, they
had chosen division
A great crowd blocks the bridge
way and lines on either side the riv-
er's embellishments "a black, silent
crowd, which all day long hangs over
the parapcts, watching the water be
low
"A boat upset-two men drowned
the bodies are being searched for" So
passes the news through Florence.
Lilias learns it on her way homcward
at midday Thcre-passing along the
Lung Arno-she learns, too, the
added rumor. One is an English
artist"
Let me take You home" says