Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-03-28


ing the sharp scrutiny Of Beppis eyes.
That was all she wanted she chuckled to
herself and passed on
The stimulating effect of Beppi's dinner
was passing of. His spirits required excite
ment. He hurried back to tho old ccntre OF
the city to begin work in earnest. In Por
San Maria he saw on a gay-colored curtain
hung before a doorway a notice TO the effect
that the public for this day only might for
the small sum Of FIVE centimes behold a won.
derful aquatic mollusk.
Now, be had no idea Of the meaning Of
either mollusk or aquatic, but he resolved to
go in with the others and see for himself. He
was conducted the length Of a long room, in
which, at sharp turn, he found himself fac
ing full.length figure in purple and gold
stripes
''By the body of an auchovy it is Beppi
Stefano," he said to himself, with soma pride
But when he saw in large letters over the
mirror the words april Fish," his elevated
crest suddenly fell ! and as he walked in the
departing train out of another door way that
led into a back street. his shoulders took the
same droop and his countenance the same
detected expression as those of his compan.
ion dupes.
His patience was now about exhausted he
felt angry,-an uncommon state of mind for
him.
A little boy was passing with q flask Of
wine in his arms. Beppi bethought him Of
the boy at the Santa Croce fountain, and did
not find this child attractive.
"Hi! you rascal !" he cried out "don't
you see that your wine is running out of the
bottom Of your flask 2"
The child stopped, and in his fright almost
dropped his burden. He trombled all over
and began to cry.
Beppi stepped forward and told him to dry
his eyes, for it was only joke, and then pro
ceedsd to explain the poculiNrities Of the day,
relating frauds practised upon the innocent
bnt Withholding the intelligence that he had
gained his wisdom by experience He sue
ceeded in calling smile into the childs face
and sent him on his way the richer by half a
franc, for this poor foolish Beppi had the
best heart in the world.
The day was drawing to close, and he
did not feel that it had been great success.
He was tired of the streets and OF the peo.
pie. Dejectedly he made his way to Via Lam.
bertesca. His aunt was ELUSIVE Aquila,
more hateful in his eyes than pelican OF the
wilderness, was afIectiouete and Rins would
not look up from her work until they went to
dinner
The dinner was not an everyday affair
No pains had been spared in it's preparation.
They did not always dine sumptuously, for,
as Aquila's mother pointedly remarked, one
cannot save dowry Of three thousand francs
and seem as rich as a monastery, aud dine
like priest every day.
Indeed, Aquila's mother prided herself as
much on her economy in saving the dowry
as on the dowry itself. She had not only
saved, but she had materially aided her de-
parted husband in gaining that little fortune.
She had been able to teach him in his bust
ness OF vending wood aud charcoal many a
little trick, and had herself even packed the
wood in certain cross-wise positions for re-
failing, whereby one hundred baskets bought
yielded one hundred and twenty five sold.
Every dish that made its appearance upon
the table was urged upon Beppi. He thought
OF his midday meal, and was almost inclined
to be cautious what he ate. He really found
the potatoes quite waxy, but that was nothing
unusual, and only resulted from their having
been left in the water to keep warm a half.
hour after they we're cooked.
Aquila and her mother questioned our he
70 regarding his days exploits. He was not
prolific of answers. Somehow, nearly all he
seemed to remember was that he had fooled
a young fellow about a flask Of wine.
The two women laughed immoderately, but
Rins raised her soft dark eyes and looked at
MIN curlously without smile.
How could he gain a word with her to in
duce her to venture forth to meet him ? His
opportunity seemed at hand. His aunt sud.
denly left the table, exclaiming that she had
told that vagabond OF girl never to put the
fritters on a green plate and from the cries
and blows that followed in the kitchen il was
clear that the poor maid of.all. work was hav-
ing her ears boxed soundly. His aunt would
not Immediately rolinquish this congenial oc.
cupation. Now was his chance.
He made a movement that attracted Rinas
attention. Aquila's head was bent over her
plate, and she was rapidly making way with
her favorite dish, ,-fritters of calves brain
and of pumpkin-blossoms.
Il shall start home in about an hour" said
Beppi to Rina in a low voice, land shall stop
on the old bridge to have a smoke"
Aquila suddenly became aware that Beppi
was talking and not to her. Che planted an
elbow on the table, and with the steam from
fritter upon her upraised fork wreathing
among the pile of puffs on the top of her
been looking at him he was not sure but
that Rinas eyes twinkled with mischief he
was quite certain.
His aunt at that moment returned no
more could be said. His spirits sank, and
dil not revive during the meal, although his
aunt descsnted at length upon the advantages
of a wife with a good dowry.
After dinner he made bold to step up be-
side Rina as she was looking out Of the win
dow
"Meet me on the old bridge !" he whisper
ed entreatingly.
Rins had Just time to answer eyes" when
her aunt stepped forward to know if any body
spoke.
Bepp was elate. The trials> of the day
faded from his mind. He could not too soon
be on his way and rid himself of that hateful
Aqula.
The moon had risen when he gained the
Arno. The enchanting view from the centre
OF the bridge on either side, illumined with
a mild radiance, could not but soothe even
this impatient lover. He leaned against the
parapet aud gave himself up to delightful
snticipations. Tonight as never before he
would press his suit. He would urge Rina
to let their attachment become known. He
was now willing to brave everything for a
chance of gaining her He knew that she
loved him, although she now and then tor
mented him with spice of coquetfy. He
longed for the sweet interview. The minutes
were becoming tedious. He walked to and
fro to relieve his ardent impatience As he
was returning to the centre of the bridge he
saw figure standing near the wall 1t was
Rina he recognized her dark striped shawl.
He hastened to the spot.
Dearest! my soul my life !" he said,
clasping her hands.
Her face was covered with thick veil.
She hung her head in silence.
He was entranced with this new shyness.
He pressed her to his heart in close EN-.
brace. The veiled face rested against his
own. "Rina, soul of my soul!' he mur
INJURED.
In his ecstacy he pulled aside the veil
"DiO SdHtO :" He fell back against the par
'apet and groaned, 1t was Aquila's face ht
beheld in the moonlight 1t was Aquila'l
form he had been embracing!
A ringing laugh fell upon his ears. An
other figure stepped forth from the shadow
"Patience, good Beppi" cried out silyery
voice; lit is the first day of April"
For moment he was petrihed. He wa
speechless. He glanced from Rinas brigh
face to the rage distorted hideousness o
Aquila's ever hateful countenance. Th'
blood Rurged to his brain. He was goinl
mad. With one leap he was over the para
pet and down in the rushing waters Of tn
swollen Arno.
The two girls rent the air with screams
They went flying of the bridge down alonI
the river, crying for aid.
A gudrdid made his appearance, then a sol
der then boatmaD, then a crowd of peo
pie from every direction.
The conscience stricken Rina tried I
spring into the river, but woman held he
| back Was no one going to her rescue