The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1885-04-08

a girl who might have belonged tc
almost any country. The eyebrows and
cast down lashes said that her eyes were
lark, but the pure pale complexion. the
delicate straight features, the thick
brown hair might, under circumstances.
have been claimed by any nation,
although had / met her alone should
have said she was English. She was
well but plainly dressed, and her manner
told me she was no stranger to the
church. She did not look from side To
side, and up and down, after the way OF
a slghtseer. She sat without M owing
until her companion had finished her
prayers. So far as one could Judge from
her appearance she was in church for no
particular object, neither devotional nor
critical Probably she may have come
to bear the old woman at her side COM
pany. This old woman, who had the
appearance of superior kind Of servant,
seemed, from the passionate appeals she
was addressing to heaven, to be in want
of many things. 1 could see her thin
lips working necessarily, and although
her words were inaudible, it was evident
her petitions were heart-spoken and sin
cere.
But the girl by her side neither Joined
her III her prayers nor looked at her.
Ever motlonless as a statue-her eyes
cast down apparently wrapped in deep
thought, and, l fancied, sad thought,
she sat showing us the while no more of
her face than that perfect profile. Ken
yon had certainly not over-praised her.
Hers was q face which had O peculiar
attractiveness for me, the utter repose of
it not being the least of that charm.
was growing very anxious t. see her full
face, but as l could not do so without
positive rudeness, was compelled {, wait
until she might chance to turn her head.
Presently the old italian woman
appeared to think she had done her re-
igious duty. Seeing she was preparing
to cross herself l rose and sauntered
down the church towards the door. In
a few minutes the girl and her compan-
ion pass, d me, and l was able to see her
20 better advantage, as she waited whilst
the old woman dipped her fingers in the
holy water. She was undoubtedly beau
tiful but there was something strange
In her beauty. [ made this discovery
when, for a moment, her eyes met mine.
Dark and glorious as those eyes were
there was a dreamy, far-away look in
them-a look that seemed to pass over
one and see what was behind the object
gazed at. This look gave me a curious
impression, but, as it was only for sec
ond that my eyes met hers, [ could
scarcely say whether the impression was
pleasant or an unpleasant one.
The girl and her attendant fingered
few moments at the door, so that Ken
yon and [ passed out before them. By
common consent we paused outside
The action may have been a rude one,
but we were both anxious to see the de-
parture of the girl whose appearance
had SO greatly interested MS. As we
came through the door of the Church, r
a man standing near the steps-a
man of gentlemanly appear
ance. He was rather round-shouldered,
and wore spectacles. Had 1 felt any
interest in determining his station In life,
should have adjudged him to one of
the learned professions. There could be
no mistake as to his nationality; he was
Italian to the backbone He was evil
IDENTIFY waiting for some one; and when
the girl, followed by the old woman,
came out of San Giovanni he stepped
forward and accosted them.
The old woman gave a little sharp cry
of surprise. She took his hand and
kissed it. The girl stood apparently
apathetic. 1t was evident that the gen
tleman's business lay with the old SER
want. He spoke few words to her then
drawing her aside, the two walked away
to some distance, under the shadow OF
the church, and to all appearance were
talking earnestly and volubly, but ever
and anon casting a look in the direction
of the girl
AS her companion left her she walked
nr1e Foxx oo6
as though waiting for the old woman.
Now it was that we were able to see her
perfect figure, and erect carriage, to full
advantage. Being some little way off,
we could look at her without committing
an act of rudenesss OF indiscretion.
"She is beautiful, said, more to
myself than to Kenyon.
Sc Yes she is-but not so beautiful as /
thought, There is something wanting,
yet it is impossible to say what it is. Is
it animation OF expression 2"
g L can see nothing wanting" J. said,
so enthusiastically that Kenyon laughed
aloud.
do English gentleman stare at
their own country-women and appraise
them in public places like this OF is it
custom adopted for the benefit of 1tal-
ians ~
This impudent question was asked by
some one close to my SIDE We turned
simultaneously, and saw tall man of
about thirty standing just behind us.
His features were regular, but their
effect was not pleasant one. You felt
at glance that sneering mouth was
curtained by the heavy mustache, and
that those dark eyes and eyebrows were
apt to frown with sullen anger.
At present, the mans expression was
that of naughty arrogance peculiar
gddas b s1prs o@ser So towards nd T Eg
lishman. That he was foreigner it was
easy to see, in spite of his perfectly ac-
cented English.
A hot reply was upon my lips, but
Kenyon, who was young man of infin-
lite resource and well able to say and do
the right thing in the right place, was