The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-03
whole OF their interview, which lasted


quite hall an hear. Eventually he pushed
on, and left my heart heavy within re.
But | soon took heart OF grace, for so soon
as he was out Of sight the little maid
threw two flowers growing on the same
stem-an allcgory Of which could make
nothing until IL broke upon me that she
meant To convey 10 me that he and she
were brother and sister, and that ! had no
cause TO be sad. And thercupon nodded
10 her chccriy, and she nodded 10 INC and
laughed aloud. and ! laughed in return,
and all went on again as before.
Then came dark and dreary time, for
Il became necessary that shoHld undergo
treatment that confined me absolutely 10
my bed Tor many days, and | worried and
freited to think that the little maid and
could see eacE other no LONGER, and worse
still, that she would think That | had gone
away without even having limited 20 nor
that | was going. And / lay awakr &c
night wondering how could il her know
the truth and fifty plans fitted through
my brain, all appearing TO be feasible
enough at night, but absolutely Wild ana
impracticablc in the morning One day
and il was a bright day indeed far me
the old woman who attended me told me
that a gondolier had inquired whether the
English siguOr had gone away or had dled;
and so | learned that the little maid had
been anxious about me, and that she had
sent her brother to inquire, and the
brother had no doubt taken TO her the
reason Of my protracted absence from the
window
From that day, and ever after, during
nv three weeks Of bed keeping, flower
was found every morning on the ledge of
my window. which was within easy reach
of any one in "A boat. and when az last "a
day came when | could be moved took
my accustomed place on the sofa at the
window, and the little maid saw me and
stood on her head, 20 10 speak, and clapped
her hands upside down with delight that
was as eloquent as any right end up de-
light could possibly be. 50 the first time
the gondOier passed my window beck
oned 10 him, and he pushed mp along
side and told me, with many bright smiles
that he was glad indcec 10 see me well
again. Then / thanked him and his
sister for their kind thoughts about me
during my retreat, ana then learned from
him that her name was Angela, and that
she was the best and purest maiden OF all
Venice, and that any one might think
himself happy indeed who could call her
sister, but that he was happier even than
her brother. for he was 10 be married To
her, and indeed they were TO be married
the next day.
ThereupOn my heart seemed 10 swell 10
bursting. and the blood rushed through
nv veins so that ! could hear il and
nothing else for while. ! managed at
last 10 stammer forth some words Of
awkward congratulatiOn, and he left me,
singing merrly, after asking permission
to bring his bride TO see me on the morrow
~ they returned from church
Cor said he, ''my Angela has known
Won for very lOng--evcr since she was a
child, and she has often spoken to me OF
the poor Englshman who was good
Catholic, and who lay all day long for
years and years on a sofa at window,
and she had said over ana over again how
dearly she wished that she could speak 10
him and comfort him, ana one day, when
you threw a flower into the canal, she
asked me whether she might throw an
other, and / told her yes, for hc would
understand that it meant sympathy with
one who was sOrely afflicted
And 50 | learned that il was pity, and
not love. except indeed such love as is
akin to pity, that prompted her to interest
herself in my welfare, aud there was an
end Of il all
For the two flowers that thought were
on one stem were two flowers tied to-
gether Out could not tell that, and they
were meant 10 indicate that she and the
gondolier were ailianced lovers, and my
expressed pleasure at this symbol de- !
lighted her, for she took it to mean that |
reioiced in her happines-
And the next day the gondolier came
with train Of other gondoliers, all decked |
in their holiday garb, and in his eondola |
sat Angela, happy and blushing at her |
happiness. Then he and she entered the |
house i'm which dwclt, and came into my |
room and il was strange indeed, after 50 |
many years OF inversion, TO see her with |
her head above her feeu. and then she |
wished me happiness and speedy restOr- !
alton 10 good health (which could never |
be-, and !, in broken words and with tears |
in my eyes. gave her the little crucihS /
that had stood 10y my bed or my table for /
50 many years And Angela took it |
reverently, and crossed herself, and kissed |
il, and so departed with her delighted |
husband.
And as heard the song Of the Condo /
liers as they went their way-the song |
dying away in the distance as the shadows |
of the shutdown closed around me- felt |
they were singing The requiem Of the only /
love that had ever entered my heart w. |
:. Gilbert.
slaves of the Harcm.
A. fl. tnn ..-.laDll ,-nA L..r.. on. nrl n Ii |