Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-16
MARIA MARIANA.

of Cologne, a poor lady named Maria
Mariani. With an old servant as her sole
companion, she occupied a small house
partly fallen into decay, still Boosting how
ever, two front windows, which illuminated
this sad abode. Nothing could be more
miserable than the furniture of the estab-
lishment. Two beds. already the prey of
insects, two tables and few ricEety chairs
constituted, with meager assortment of
kitchen utensils, the entire wealth of the
two women. Notwithstanding the burrows
in her face, which were evidently the result
OF seventy years experience of life in many
phases, Maria Mariani still preserved the
remains Of an enchanting beauty. The
dignity of her manner produced lasting
impression when, upon rare occasions, she
encountered strangers. Living in the
strictest isolation and avoiding all inter
course with her neighbors, she never left
her house except TO purchase the neces-
saries of life. Her means of subsistence
consisted of a pension, which she drew
regularly twice year. The street in which
she lived knew her only by the soubriquet
of Is the old num- and she was treated with
much respect by its inhabitants. Maria
Mariani lived ordinarily in room on the
first floor where she occupied herself with
an endless piece of embroidery; the serv-
ant, as old as herself, had her lodging in
the upper story, which served also as a
kitchen, and her spinning wheel stopped
only when the last rays of the sun sank
below the ledge of her little window Thus
these two women lived in q complete soli-
tude. But in winter, to avoid the expense
of Lighting two fires, the mistress called her
servant down, who placed herself on one
side of the hearth while Maria Mariani
occupied an armchair OH the other Night
after night came and went. without the in
terchange of a word. One evening, to
Brigitta's great establishment, her mistress
opened the conversation by saying Well,
Brigitta, hast thou received news of thy
son ?'
No, my lady" replied the other, al
though the courier from Frankfort has ar
rived
Thou seest well, Brigitta, it is all folly
to count upon the affection of children
thou art not the only mother who must
weep over their ingratitude.
=" But, my lady, Joseph is not ungrateful !;
he loves me- and if he does not write it is
surely because he has nothing to tell me-
We should not judge the young so harshly."
l. No, certainly not, too harshly; but
have we no right to their submission and
respect?"
For my party, my lady, am quite
satisfied with the affection of my SON."
g" envy thee, Brigitta," said her mis-
tress, with a sigh ALAS l am also
mother and l should be happy With
three children, possessing rank, fortune
and glory, here l am, forgotten in my
misery, and when l ask them for assist
ance they call me importunate thou art
fortunate, Brigitta. to have so obedient a
son; mine are hard and ungenerous.
My poor lady Bat Joseph loves me
so tenderly"
Thou breakfast my heart, Brigitta Thou
little knowest my suffering An unhappy
mother l have been likewise a miserable
wife. At the end of many wretched years
my husband died, the victim of an assas-
sination. And who, thinkest thou, was
accused of his murder? l In the pres
ence of my children, ar the instigation of
my eldest son, was accused of this abom-
Unable crime ~
" But, my lady, you We're acquitted"
Yes, but not cleared. All had / been
a simple peasant instead of woman of
rank, my innocence would have been
proved to all the world. But my enemies
thought it would be more to their advantage
to leave a stain upon my name-to exile
me, and TO abandon me TO the situation in
which | find myself
Poor mistress" ~ said the old servant,
softly. Maria Mariani hid her face in her
hands and spoke no more that night.
AS the servant continued to spin she
turned over in her mind various circuu-
stances connected with the old nun
letters sealed with red wax, which she
fastened to conceal in an iron box always
kept beside her bed whenever she i'm
agined Brigitta was watching her.
One night, while Maria Mariani was in
the delirium of fever, she cried out in q
tone of inconceivable terror: " mol moi l
cannot see him Take away that Grim
soned robe, thou man of blood and MUIR
der r'
These things returned to the simple Bri-
gitta's recollection, although she did not
dare to speak of them to her mistress, SO
proud and naughty.
The next night, while they were working
in silence, knock on the door startled
them disagreeably. who can it be at this
late hour?" said Maria Marian.
cannot imagine" replied the servant;
it is already past o'clock.
Another knock exclaimed her mis-
tress; 60 Brigitta, and see who it can be,
but be careful whom you admit"
The servant took the solitary lamp and
went to the door. She returned in a few
moments, followed by Father Francisco,
priest who lived in the city He seemed to
be about so years of age, but his lean jaws,
marked features and penetrating eyes gave
him any but a sanctimonious appearance
" To what can / attribute this late visit?''
asked :. rho old MN -
ITO matters of much Importance, which
come to communicate, replied the
priest.
Leave us, Brigitta, said her mistress.
The old servant obeyed respectfully, and
they were alone.
What news have you for me, father
asked Maria Mariani.
News from France
Good ?"
Some that will be so in the end
Is Then the stars have not deceived me-"
What, madame" said the priest in
severe tone, you still put faith in that
lying astrologyl Believe me. it is tempt
alton from Satan which you ought to resist
Have you not real sorrows enough without
subjecting yourself to imaginary ones ?n
q If it is a weakness, l share it with many
noble souls Who can doubt the influence
that celestial bodies exercise over things
terrestrial ~
All vanity and error. madame. How
can civilized soul like yours believe that
anything happens without the will of
God?'
shall not dispute the point. Now
tell me the news from France"
The disaffection of the mobiles is at its
height Henri d Effiat, the kings favorite,
has Joined their party, as well as the Duke
de Bouillon and the kings brother of Or
leans. A treaty which is being negotiated
with the King of Spain has peace for its
principal object, and the exile of the cardi
nal for its first condition.
Thanks to Godn'
Nevertheless, madame, we must not
feel too sure Continue to act with pru-
dence, and assume the appearance of per-
feet resignation. Go regularly 10 the
church in which l officiate, occupy the cor
ner at the end of the right-hand aisle, and