Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-18

hopes and despairs, waverngs, coQuetteries,
and heartburnings, at last Pippa agreed to
marry Gianna il bellino, and he thought
himself the happiest Of men He was . vet
turino on the great Cornichs road, and he
prepared sunny little homo for his bride
near Sestri A house at the end Of .
long avenue Of acacia trees, with .
vineyard Of its own, q logsia looking
over the sea, and every comfort
that the heart Of little mountain contadina
could desire. When Pippa should be his
wife he meant to drive her there In state, in
his big voiturier carriage, and he would
ssta blish her there, and a. he drove bis
travellers backward and forward on the road,
would look out as he passed 10 see her stand
ing smiling at the door The vision was only
too sweet The big carriage with the four
horses-Biondo, Nero, Giallo, and the last
purchased Pippo-wsre all waiting at Monte
Caetano for the happy day-and the coupe
had been refined with bright. shiny yellow
obintz, to be worthy Of bis Pippa.
Tonino arrived with the polish Of city life
in his manners, and the chic Of q city tailor
In the cut of his clothes, and he began to
make love to Pippa az no one had ever made
love to her before. He paid her honsyed
compliments, he threw an air of tender,
rapt admiration into the adoring gaze o.
dark eye, he offered her the commonest
flower with an air of devotion which threw
in the shade Gianni's far larger offering.
ut Is too large" she cried pettishly, re-
jecting her betrotbed's great posy Of roses.
and he had the modification OF seeing her
fix Tonino's Insignificant carnation into her
bodice instead
Gianni flung away his roses flercely, and
Pippa was 50 busy talking to Tonino that
not till her foot trod on it did she perceive
that be had done 20.
"Now that the tunnel is done and the way
open, you will be leaving u.s." she said,
softly, leaning agar It the chestnut tree and
playing with the fad hg carnation
Tonino answered with the soft, caressins
sound in his voice that expressed more do
votion than the words he uttered:
"And if were TO be called away, would
there be one heart in Santa Chiara to mourn
me; one eye to shed tears over my de.
parture"
Can you doubt~ said Pippa. @Friends
are not so easily forgotten"
"a fig for friendship" cried Tonino with
a snap of his fing ers so loud that all started
That is a strange sentiment, Signor ZeiF
said Gianni bitterly.
Tonino only stared at him, then turning
toward Pippa he rose to his feet and ap
preached her.
"Ah, dear Pippa," be said, "will you keeT
the secret If tell you some news that re
ceived this morningf
DO not whisper" said Pippa unsasily
"Gianni does not like it"
"Ah, hahl he does not carol Look q
him"
Pippa turned her head and looked Sore
mortified, and angry, Gianni was feiSnini
an Indifference he did not feel He sat witt
a stolid look on his broad, comely face
playing with the ears Of the little Spit
dog which accompanied him In all his jour
neys.
Il see, il is true that he does not care,
said Pippa, trying to laugh.
"Then grant me that which ask, sait
Tonino coaxingly walk with me up tn,
mountain among the vineyards. You cal
not refuse one who may leave you so soon
and whose heart IL bleeding at the vsry
idea"
Pippa thought that Gianni should be NOR
demonstrative. 1t was tiresome to see hin
miserable; she wanted to see him angry
She stood upright and said lightly:
"Let us 60 to the vineyards. We shal
have time for q short walk before benedic
tion.r
Pippa spoke with her face toward Gianni
so that he must h,ar; and, half thinking tina
she spoke to him, he leaped to his feet, AM
the light sparkk>i in his blue eyes, but tn
light faded away 1t the sound Of her coquet
tish little laugh.
"No, no, Giannil would not disturb yo1
for the world. Sit still; 60 to sleep if yo'
cam" and, passing her hand lightly througl
Tonino's arm, she walked away with him
Gianm did not resume his seat, but stoo'
looking after them. He saw Tonino bending
his curly head with a look Of devotion, AM
Q dark scowl settled on his face
"Ah, ha! Gianni, my poor boy" said
croakin9 voics close beside him $50 tn
little traitress Plays thee also false. kne'
how it would be. Such are women. The,
are all bad. and the best Of them are thos
who wear the mask longest"
"Croaking as usual. Father Giacomo," sait
Gianni, trying to laugh. She has no
thrown me over. Our wedding day Is fixed.
"But 1t has not dawned yet War criet
the old man, throwing out both his hands
"Why don't you follow themi" he cried i'm
| patiently. "Ah, ha! Gianni, though womel
| are false, men are fools You should holt
them tight, beat them, keep them under
Break their spirits or they will break you
heart Go after them tell you, 60 afts
them! Bahl why should inccmmode my
| self thusi Women will always be false, anc
men will always be fools" and old Giacom
took prodigious pinch Of snuff.
Gianni walked of unwillingly enough
He was a proud man, and Pippa's conduc
| was hurting him bitterly. He did not wis
to lose his dignity and sacrifice his sell
esteem by becoming jealous; it degrade
him In his own eyes But love was stronge
than will, and he uttered . short, bitter e1
clamation Of almost savage disgust wit
himself because he could not resist tn
temptation to follow Pippa and his rival
The sun was beginning to go down; it wa
very hot Tonino and Pipps found tn
shade of the long rows Of vines very CRATE
full The leaves wers lu1uriant and tn
air was filled with their warm sweet smell
Tonino bent lower over Pppa and sal
softly: THE news l have to tell you, m
Pippa, is that, after all, perhaps I am no
going away from Santa Chiara.'
Pippa was rather taken aback. She woul
not have let Tonino go SO far if she had nc
| tnouGnt tndt No Was SoiiiB AWAY, uoW Q
once, through the big tunnel that he ha
helped to make, and never coming bac
again. 1t was quite another thing that b
was always TO be there
Not going away!' she said with q littl
quiver in her voice. Tonino thought th
little quiver was one Of happiness
Dearest" he said. 1T is true. Some one
required to be always on the spot Ever
night must go through tho tunnel to 81
that all is well. This will be necessary fc
long months, till we see that tho work is Pc
feet in every part, that no unexpected dal
gers may arise And it Is l that have n
ceived the appointment"
Tonino hit his breast with q sound (
triumph, then suddenly he threw his ar
round Pippa's waist
Say, beautiful Pippal dearest Of m
heart he cried. Say that you rejoice as
do. We shall not be separated"
Pippa was too much astonished to resis
Tonino had his arm round her, and now
bent forward and kissed her once, twice, b
fore she could speak, when there came a SUI
den shout that sounded more like the roar
wild beast than a human voice, al
Gianni threw himself between them, b
eyes flashing, his face convulsed with rag
i