The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-01-14


idle, more selfish. more careless than ever:
before that he had never talked of turning
poor Pipino adrift. 1t was night of sor-
row and tears for Lucia, but she adhered
firmly to her purpose. 1t was cruel, I'M
lust thing that Enrico wished her to do,
and great as was her love for him, she
dared not yield.
The autumn days drew on. Visitors were
focking to Italy. Without word of fare
we'll to Lucia. Enrico left Genzano and
went down TO Rome.
II was long dreary winter. People
never remembered SO much snow. There
was much distress about, and Lucia, in
spite of her hard work and her constant
knitting, began 10 despair. The English
lady had never come back, and il was diff
cult to find food for herself and Pipino.
But Nicolo Prato never forsook them. He
was always bringing small presents, osten-
sibly for Pipino, and Lucia could not be
ungracious TO the child's benefactor. She
recollected with shame and regret how
often she had laughed at the big, rough
peasant-how she had encouraged Enrico
to make fun of his awkward ways, aud how
she had mimicked his bashful speech. And
now he was the only friend who stood be-
tween her and starvation.
News sometimes came of Enrico. IL was
n cold winter, and Rome was crowded with
strangers; the models were coming moneys"
SO Enrico sent word. But never message
for her; she was nothing to him now. She
had only the tiny, clinging hands of the
cripple to caress her, and his baby talk TO
give comfort for the future. And while
she sat and grieved in silence, Nicolo, the
warm hearted, awkward peasant, stood
timidiy aloof, longing but not daring, to
cast his love and devotion at her feet.
One evening Pipino was later than usual.
Lucia grew alarmed. What could have
happened to the child? The twilight grew
deeper, still Pipino did not appear.
Suddenly firm, heavy tread was heard,
and Nicolo stood in the doorway.
"What is it?" cried Lucia. where is
the child?"
Don't be alarmed" said Nicolo, stand
ing awkwardly on the doorstep, uncertain
whether TO retreat or advance. "He is at
my house"
"Your house? Why? Has anything hap
pened?"
at is nothing serious. His crutch slipped
upon stone; | carried him home"
But why did you not bring him here?"
1t was too dark for her TO see the flush of
embarrassment which spread over the hon
est fellows face as he stammered his reply:
at was so much farther-my house is
bigger-he thought thought
Whatever You thought, it was foolish,
cried Lucia. stamping her foot impatiently.
IF the child is IN your house, how can /
60 and nurse him?'
"Ah, Signorina Lucia" sighed Nicolo,
and then he was silent. Lucia grew en-
barrassed In her turn-neither spoke for u
few seconds.
&c FOL "
are we wasting time while the child is
vs9's III T e f R6aa iG S hlm here He
stepped further into the room and seized
her two hands eagerly. Lucia was too
amazed TO utter n word.
"Yes, Lucia, he said, ''let Us 60; but if
you come TO my house, you must never
leave it again. j want you thereto stay
with me always-so does Pipino. / will
work for You both. | am strong. / can
earn enough for us all. You will not mind
my mother living with us. She loves YOU
already. and she is not old; she is no
trouble. You can mind the house together"
Lucia was SO bewildcred by this avalanche
of words that she could not speak 1He
shy, bashful Nicolo, emboldened by her
silence and the semi darkness, came closer
still, and put one arm around her, holding
fast her other hand.
"Come!" he said gently, drawing her to
him-"Pip,no wants you"
"Ah. mol" she said, suddenly rousing
herself with n cry, and pushing Nicolo vio-
lently away. How can you say such
things to me? 1t is only "A few months
sincc-since-"
You were betrothed to Enrico. know;
do not think forget it. know, too, am
a POOR, rough. ugly fellow by the side of
him, but l will take care of the child"
Lucia sank painting into a chair. Her
old love for Enrico, her affection for Pipino.
her gratitude TO Nicolo, all fought and
struggled in her heart. Then she started
up again.
"Why do you keep me talking here and
hechild is suffering? Is il bad accident"
at is not dangerous, and my mother is
with him. Give me an answer, Lucia. /
love You with my whole heart; will you
marry me?"
The girl burst into passion of tears.
She knew what Nicolo said was true. Even
when she had laughed and scoffed at him
the most she had always known he loved
her. And yet-and yet her foolish heart
chung to Enrico.
"Nicolo," she cried, and at the sound of
his name the honest fellow thrilled all
over-"Nicolo, forgive me. L can not for
get Enrico."
"Ah!" came like gasp from the breast
of Nicolo; then he was silent, and nothing
was audible but Lucia's sobs.
81 know" she said pleadingly-"I know
/ am foolish. He is perhaps careless and
idle: but if he were TO return and say to me,
Lucia mia, forgive Inc and marry me, why,
then, Nicolo-"
HE will never say So" interrupted
Nicolo harshly. Yesterday he married
Maddalena."
"Maddalena!" painted Lucia, hot flush
tingiing her whole body. 1t was the name
of the worst girl in Genzano, who had gone
to Rome that winter.
"Tell me that again. she said quietly
"Enrico has married Maddalena?"
"Yes," answered Nicolo, very quietly
also.
A wave of outraged love and Indignation
swept over Lucia, and overwhelmed for
over in its depths the memory of Enrico.
Il did not speak before" said Nicolo, in
a broken voice. IL was afraid / should
have no chance, but / have loved you as
long as Enrico. have toiled and shaved
TO get home for you, and l will work for
you all my life. Come-Pipino wants
you"
She rose with an hysterical laugh, wrap
ped shawl round her, and went out with
Nicolo into the twilight.
IL was grave and solemn walk; both
realized what was implied in it,