Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-24

rina Modesto shrilly; "there was az
avvocato from Milano--all we couiu
wish. lie had abated his demands oy
1900 lire, when that 'msldetta banca
broke and Pia's dowry went with IL
The Young man could not wait while
another was saved up soldo by soido,
but married Luigi Merlini's daughter al
the clgar-manufactory. PA has SHOWN
her good heart in giving up her
future prospects to her sister J
looked curiously at Pia. was there
no shadow Of regret for that mercenary
avvocato who had loved and rode away!
could see none. She continued calmly
embroideiin ing her fathers initials on q
dinner napkin as fancy Free" to all
appearance, as any maiden ! had ever
seen. Yet there were endless possloiii-
ties in that thoughtful, sensitive face,
and it became daily more interesting
study 10 me.
suppose ought to try and describe
the sisters as they appeared to me. Pia
was above the middle height, slight and
supple. with a prettily dignitied car
rage, that might have degenerated into
primness in one less graceful her com
plexion was clear and pale, and her
eyes dark blue, soft, and dreamy; her
eyelashes and eyebrows were much
darker than her hair, which was brown,
with q golden CLINT in the sunlight
Her nose was rather long but finely
formed, and her rare smile very sweet.
Innocentina was small, and plump as
partridge; she was fair and rosy, with
yellow hair and jet-black laughing eyes,
and to crown her charms, had most
fascinating dimple in her left cheek, and
another to match in her chin. She was
merry as q cricket and loved to dance,
if only with a schoolgirl friend, adored
finery, which, be it said, was all but
out of her reach, and was always ready
to accent a sacrifice from PA as her
due, but with such sweet words as FULLY
repaid the loving victim. They usually
wore little skinny, brown woollen
frocks. which had evidently done duty
for many a season, and had been turned
and washed until they had reached one
uniform tint Of fadedness. On feasts
and Sundays they donned gray merinoes,
fresh and we'll fitting to their pretty
figures. The Norma " in Milan had
sent the stuff as present; and
learned that PA had let her sister have
a good deal more than her share OF 1t,
in order that, for once in way, she
might have really fashionable costume.
In March and April the weather was
so heavenly we sat out in the garden
nearly all day with our books, writing
or work: and on holidays often a large
party of neighbors would collect, and
the Young folk would dance outside on
the gravel. 'Centina was quite in her
glory on these occasions she would
threw open the doors Of the sala and
coax Signorina Modesto into playing
polka or waltz on the jingling old piano.
when she had lost her first eve of the
"Signore Inglese," she would look be-
seechingly at my mother, who generally
treated them to the Manola" or
- Premier Basier y waltz, to the great
admiration of the company. ! felt a
decided satisfaction when ! noticed that
PA rarely danced she would bring her
embroidery, or even her basket of linen
to darn, and sit by Inc while we chatted
or looked on together. The fact is, the
doctors family was far above most OF
their neighbors in station and manners.
Most of the women were we'll enough,
but the young men, as a rule, were
horrible. | have no doubt they were
very estimable in many ways; but their
omen collars, showing a mile OF throat,
their thatch of hair, on which they strove
TO balance their tiny hats. the enormous
check on their trousers, their airs and
antics. and the eRtrechdtS" they
performed when they wanted to be
funny were truly awful.
Yes:I was glad my dainty PA kept
these youths at distance. don't
think they admired her, but one and
all were, figuratively speaking, at limo
centina's feet. Not that they iiirted in
our English fashion, but all their best
antics we're put on for her benefit; and
when the little coquet would steal her
arm round her dear friend LUCAS
waist, all those laughing, backward,
mischievous glanceS, to say nothing OF
the fond caresses lavished on Lucia,
were meant to drive those unfortunate
Young men to distraction.
The next day | was sitting in my
favorite nook among the citrons when
SignOrina Modesto. espying me. came
up with her keys, a camp-stool, and an
air Of mystery and seated herself by
my side. She began by assuring me
how fully they appreciated the friendly
interest we took in them all that they
would feel they were sighting us if they
concealed any family matters from US.
In short, what did | think of DR.. Carlo
; Ruspini? | said he had struck me as
an intelligent and well-mannered young
man. She looked pleased, and, after
getting up to peer round the citron-
trees lest any one should be within
hearing, she drew her stool a degree
closer and whispered:
=" lie is very much taken with Zen
tina. There will be money difficulties,
but they can be smoothed over old
DR.. Ruspini is going to retire, and Carlo
will have the practice. My brother can
only pay half the dowry down; but he
will propose to keep the young couple
here until le can pay the rest"
And bow about Pas future? >
J asked. "Say she never marrieS, what
is to become of her and little Marietta
if their father dies?"
, Heaven spare him long" she said
! deyoutly, and then all will be well.
, You see, cara signora, my mother and
| lent all we had to Lsigi, to enable
r him to save this remnant Of our fathers
: property. If he is spared for some
: years longer-when the whole of Cen
, tina's dowry is paid Should this mar.
D rage come off)-then the young couple
l will probably 60 and live with Carlos
parents, and We must then think ofpro-
o yiding for Marietta and il she, too,
r marres well, my brother will then be al
= lherty 10 leave pia well off. with this