Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-05-28

ton that he feared for moment she
had recognized him. But it was only
fash that vanished from her eyes almost
immediately. After fifteen years how
was 1t possible for her to recognize n
man who had only been in her fathers
house for a few hours2
Andrea Ferrato's daughter was then
thirty-three years old. She had always
been beautiful, owing to the purity of
her features and the bright look of her
splendid eyes. The white streaks here
and there in her raven hair showed that
she had suffered less from the length
than from the severity of her life. Age
had nothing to do with this precocious
greyness, which was due entirely to the
fatigucs and troubles and griefs she had
been through since the death of the
fisherman of Rovigno
"Your future and that of Luigi now
belongs to us, said Doctor Antekirtt, as
he finished his story. Were not my
friends deeply indebted to Andrea Fer
ratio? You will not object Maria, to
Luigi remaining with us p
Sirs, said Maria, my brother has
only acted as he should have done in
going TO your help last night and |
thank Heaven that he was inspired with
the thought to do 50. He is the son of Il
man who never knew but one thing, and
that was his duty"
And we knew only one, replied the
Doctor, "and that is to pay Il debt Of
gratitude to the children of him -
He stopped. Maria looked at him
again, and the look seemed to pierce
through him. He was afraid he had
said too much.
" Maria, broke in Pierre, you will
not prevent Luigi from being my
brother -
And you will not refuse to be my
daughter - added the Doctor, holding
out his hand.
And then Maria told the story Of her
life since she left Royigno how the
espionage OF the Austrian police rem
dered her existence insupportable, and
how they had come to Malta for Luigi to
perfect himself in his trade of Il seaman
by continuing that of Il fisherman and
how for many years they had struggled
against misery, their feeble resources
being soon exhausted.
But Luigi soon cqualled the Maltese
in boldncss and ability. \ wonderful
swimmer like them he could almost be
compared to that famous Nicolo Pescei,
native OF Naletta, who carried des-
patches from Naples to Palermo by
swimming across the Holian Sea He
o. ha la,
and wild pigeons, whose nests have TO
be sought for among the almost mac
cessible caves that border on the sea.
He was the boldest of fishermen, and
never had the wind kept him ashore
when 1t had been necessary for him to
go ont to his nets and lines. And il was
owing to this that he had been in Mel
leah creak when he heard the signals of
the yacht in distress.
But at Malta the sea-birds, the fish
the mollushs are SO abundant that the
moderation Of their price makes fishing
anything but lucrative trade. Do all
he could, Luigi could hardly manage to
supply the wants of the humble home,
although Maria contributed something
towards it by what she earned from her
needlework. And so they had been
obliged to reduce their expenses and
take this lodging in the Manderaggio
While Maria was telling her story Luigi
went into the other room and came
back with letter in his hand. 1t was
the one Andrea Ferrato had written Just
before he died -
Maria, he said, take care of your
brother He will soon have only you
in the world For what have done
my children, have no regret, unless it
is for not having succeeded i'll saving
those who trusted in me, even at the
sacrifice of my liberty and my life
What / did l would do again. Never
forget your father, who is dying as he
sends YOU this-his last love
ANDREA FERRATo."
As he read this Pierre Bathory made
no attempt to conceal his emotion, and
Doctor Antekirtt turned away his head
to avoid Marias searching look.
Luigi, said he abruptly, your boat
was smashed, last night, against my
yacht"
"She was an old one, Doctor"
answered Luigi, land for any one pus
me, the loss would not be much.
Perhaps so, but yon will allow me 10
give you another for her. l will give
you the boat you saved.
what p
viii you be the mate of the Ferrato?
want man who is young, active, and
a good sailor.
Accept Luigi" said Pierre,
accept J!
But my sister,"
Your sister shall become one of the
family that lives on my island of Ante
kirtta !" replied the Doctor; "your
lives henceforth belong to me, and will
do all ! can to make them happy, and that
the only regret for your past life shall
be that of having lost your father.
Luigi seized the Doctors hands he
clasped them, he kissed them, while
Maria could find no other way of show
ing her gratitude than by bursting into
tears.
Tomorrow expect You on board !"