The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-13


talked of ''quaffipg the rich Falernian'' in
manner that showed us to be sadly in
need of donning the blue ribbon.
There was delightful little mystery
over this wine. An ancestor had brought
the secret of making it from some distant
land; it went from father to son: as the
doctor had no son, why, Centina's husband
should be given the precious receipt on the
wedding day.
"Why not Pia's husband ?'' l thought
impatiently, when the doctor gave me this
account. 1t was picture when the spring
came to see him pruning his beloved vines.
All those about the Villa Magnolia and the
ground surrounding it he did himself, TAX
ing great pride in his work.
"You see," he told me, "by doing it
myself am sure of its being well done;
and then the soldi save in the hire of
man 90 toward making up Centina's dowry.
| felt aggravated My mother, Signorina
Modesto, Pia, and were sitting with our
books and work under great Japanese
medlar. As the doctor clambered back up
his ladder I ventured remark:
"Why 'Centina s-why not Pias dowry?'
"Don't you know ?" said Pia gently.
"When papa lost his money we decided he
could never make up two dowries, or not
for MANY years, so l naturally gave up my
chance to 'Centina l shall not marry.
"Pia had her chance" cried Signorina
Modesto shrilly; "there was an advocate
from Milano-all we could wish He had
abated his demands by 1000 lire, when
that 'maldetta banca broke and Pia's dowry
went with it. The young man could not
wait while another was saved up soldo by
soldo. but married Luigi Merlini's daugh-
ter at the cigar-manufactory. Pia has
shown her good heart in giving up her
future prospects to her sister, l looked
curiously at Pia. Was there no shadow of
regret for that mercenary avvocato who
had loved and rode away? l could see
none. She continued calmly embroidering
her fathers initials on dinner napkin as
ssfancy free" to all appearance, as any
maiden | had ever seen. Yet there were
endless possibilities in that thoughtful, SEN
sitive face, and it became daily more in
teresting study to me.
l suppose 1 ought to try and describe
the sisters as they appeared to me. Pia
was above the middle height, slight and
supple, with a pretty dignified carriage,
that might have degenerated into primness
in one less graceful her complexion 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 a golden CLINT in the sun
light. Her nose was rather long but finely
! formed, and her rare smile very sweet. In
nocentina was small, and plump as par
fridge; she was fair and rosy, with yellow
hair and jet-black laughing eyes, and to
crown her charms, had most facinating
dimple in her left cheek, and another to
match in her chin. She was merry as a
cricket and loved to dance, if only with a
schoolgirl friend, adored fnery, which, be
it said. was all but out of her reach, and
was always ready to accept sacrifice from
Pia as her due, but with such sweet words
as fully repaid the loving victim. They
usually wore little skimpy, 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 well
fitting to their pretty figures. The "Non-
ma" in Milan had sent the stuff as pres
sent and l learned that Pia had let her
sister have a good deal more than her share
of it. 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
folks would dance outside on the gravel.
'Centina was quite in her glory on these
occasions; she would throw open the doors
of the sala and coax Signorina Modesto
into playing polka or waltz on the jing-
ling old piano. When she had lost her
first awe of the "Signore Inglese,' she
would look beseechingly at my mother, who
generally treated them to the "Manola" or
aPremier Basier' waltz, to the great ad-
miration of the company. l felta decided
satisfaction when / noticed that Pia rarely
danced; she would bring her embroidery, or
even her basket of linen to darn, and sit by
me while we chstted 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 well
enough, but the young men, as rule, were
horrible l have 40 doubt they were very
estimable in many ways; but their open
collars, showing mile of throat, their
thateh of hair, on which they strove to
balance their tiny hats, the enormous check
on their trousers, their airs and antics, and
the "entrechants" they performed when
they wanted to be funny were truly awful.
Yes; was glad my dainty Pia kept
these youths at distance. l don't think
they admired her, but one and all were,
fguratively speaking, at Innocentina's feet.
Not that they hirted in our English fash
ion, but all their best antics were put on
for her benefit; and when the little coquet
would steal her arm round her dear friend
Lucia's waist, all those laughing, backward
mischievous glances, to say nothing Of the
fond caresses layished on Lucia, were meant
to drive those unfortunate young men to
distraction.
The next day 1 was sitting in my favor
ite 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 be-
gan by assuring me how fully they appre-
ciated the friendly interest we took in them
all /; that they would feel they were slight
ing us if they concealed any family matters
from us. In short, what did / think of
DR.. Carlo Ruspini2 l 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 degree closer and
whispered:
"He is very much taken with 'Centina.
There will be more money difficulties, but
they can be smoothed over; old DIR. Rus
pini 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 he can