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

Alverton first saw her Ill Italy. 1t
was under a -bcgrimmed old pal
ace wall, at the corner of one of the
streets in Florence. Ralph Alverton
was out early in search Of breath of
fresh morning air, before the glare of
the June day began. A few Floren-
tine women in lace wells, holding fans
between their faces and the suns rays,
had passed and repassed him on their
way to church or market; but it was
an English face which arrested his at
tention.
"VuoIe, SjguOriad ruoie" clamor-
ed all the flower vendors together,
while each thrust their handful of
dewy roses or Virgin lilies" toward
the fair face of IA girl with hair of the
same golden red color as Carlo Dolce
painted for his Angel of the Annun
citation" Ralph Alverton, the artist,
could not help thinking of that picture
us he watched her, lilies in hand, turn
away from the long stone ledge of the
Palazzo Strozzi, which serves as a
flower stall in the Via Tornabuoni.
The tall slight figure, iii her quaint
costume Of sage green, went over one
of the bridges to the other side of the
Arno. And Ralph went home to his
studio on this side of the river.
He had taken fancy to the angel
painted by Carlo Dolce, and few
days later found him seated with can
vas and easel before it III the gallery
of the Pitt. Some copyist had already
been at work there; another easel
with half finished sketch stood by
81. A l.. Il,
stool left vacant. II was not long be
fore it was taken possession of by its
owner the girl with the hair and face
like the angel Of the picture, the re
semblanCc showing stronger with the
removal of her hat Side by side
worked the two English artists all the
morning with no exchange of words.
The next day he came with the fix
ed p.rpOsc of winning q word from
her grave lips. An opportunity was
easily found III some appeal about
their common work; it was followed
by mutual contemplation of each
others painting Ralph considered
his own UNNECESSARILY the superior of
the two, but he did not say SO, and
talked because he liked his listener.
But the conversation was brief the
artists were discreet; and silence re-
suited.
"Ah, Iilais, SO we have found you
at last y cried II grand looking matron-
~ lady, who, with double eyeglasses
and Bachelors guide book, entered
the Sale shortly before the hour for
closing. She was followed by party
of her own people, who came up and
shook hands with the girl artist.
"Why, Mr.. AlVcrton, are you here"
exclaimed II chorus of surprised
voices, and then there was ~
repetition of greetings. Really, in
travelling, one comes across friends in
the most surprising way, said the
leader of the party, whom they called
Mrs. Calvon. II thought you were
still living IN London. Do you know
my friend, Miss Vanc! No, Lilias,
may introduce Mr. Alvcrton to you2
What strange coincidence, that |
should find my two friends ut work on
the same picture, yet unknown to one
anotheri"
Then the whole group of English
visitors suddenly grew interested i'll
the Angel of the Annunciation, and
IN one another Mrs Calvon put up
her glasses and gave her criticisms
nth all the freedom of an amoteur
who knows nothing about art. viii
You come and see us this evening ut
the Hotel de L Europe, Mr. Alverton,"
She asked, as they left the gallery.
Ralph accepted and came In Mrs.
Calvou'S salon he learned little
about liliaS Naue, HM family, who
We're very poor, had consented to her
wish 10 come to- Florence to paint.
She lived ut pension the CoSa
Chitra which happened exactly to
face the studio occupied by Ralph on
tn" opposite side of the Arno. While
they were talking of her, LiliaS her
self arrived with some other people.
who had been invited
Ralph Alvcrtou made up his mind
that evening that he liked her very
much. Iilias did not make up her
mind SO quickly She was quite and
silent, with II grave, sweet look which
somehow connected itself with the
Angel and the Lily. But when it was
time to 80 home Ralph offered to escort
the ladies back To the Case Chiara.
This was the first, but by no means the
last that time he walked with Lilias
along the river side where the lights
Shone, and across the bridge of the
Carraja to her home ON the other
side.
They often met IN the rooms of mu
tual friends, where the evening would
be spent, and when whatever else hap
pened, or did not happen, the end was
the same always; Raj phi Alvcrton took
Nf l = tl,,, lnft
her safely at the Casa Chiara.
One day, by special arrangement.
the Calvons and Lilias paid visit TO
Ralph's studio on the Lung Arno.
Some of the party lavlShed Il good deal
of ecStatlc admiration on his paintings,
which he received for what they were
worth; but the few words uttered in
Lilia'S low, steady tone, and the flush
Of animation and interest on her other
wise calm face, were things he treas
ured. His studio was tiilod with orig
NAL designs. AS a rule he looked down
on copyiStS, but he had continued the
copy of the Angel of the Annuncia,
ton" making his work last Just so
long as the time IiliaS took To finish
hers.
Meet us at the CertoSa to morrow, >"
said Mr.. Calvon to Raj phi; "LiliaS has
promised to accompany us on round
of farewell visits we wish to make to
all the principal sights before leaving
Florence. For leave we must this
week if EuStace does not appear. We
have waited long enough for him; the
heat is becoming really insupportable"
'Eustace" was son of Mrs. Calvon
and had been expected to join them
but whose business appointment in
London had hitherto delayed him.
Ralph Alvertou felt sorry that the
Calvons were leaving. partly for their
own sake--they were pleasant friends
but still more because it would
mean cessation of those constant
meetings with Lilias.
In the middle of the cloister garden
of the Convent of the Certosa there
stands an old we'll. AT what are
you lookings" asked Ralph, leaving
the rest to follow the monk who acted
as Snowman, and coming across to
where Lilias, STOPPING over the wells
side, was gazing down earnestly into
its dark depths.
II was trying to think of a wish, :
she said, looking up with smile.
These old wells always give me a