The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-11

RnScCA bNSAQAC | NO01u uO AkUkO lAANA make up my mind to nod to her every morning, when the old woman moved me from my bed to the sofa at the window, and again in the evening, when the maid left the balcony for that day. One day, however, when I saw her reflection looking at mine I nodded to her and threw a flower into the canal, she nodded several times in return, and I saw her draw her mothers attention to the incident. Then every morning I threw flower into the water for 'good morning" and another in the evening for "good night" and 1 soon discovered that l had not thrown them altogether in vain, for one day she threw a flower to join mine, and she laughed and clapped her hands as the two flowers joined forces and floated away. And then every morning and evening she threw her flower when threw mine, and when the two flowers met she clapped her hands, and so did |; but when they were separated, as they sometimes were, owing to one of them
 iehN AuCb oh OUotA uStAOA 0h0 not catch the other, she threw up her hands in a pretty affectation of de- spair, which tried to initiate, but in an English and unsuccessful fashion. And when they were rudely run down by passing gondola (which happened not intrequently) she pre- pretended to cry, and l did the same. Then, in pretty pantomine, sbe would point downward to the sky, to tell me that it was destiny that caused the shipwreck of our flowers, and l, in pantomine not half so pretty, would try to convey to her that destiny would be kinder next time, and that perhaps tomorrow our flowers would be more fortunate-and so the inno- cent courtship went on. One day she showed me her crucitiX and kissed it, and thereupon I took little silver crucifix which stood by me and kissed that, and so she knew that we were one in religion. One day the little maid did not appear on her bal cony, and for several days l saw nothing of her, and although threw ny hOn0ic dH uoudl lIO hQWCiE to keep it company. However, after time she reappeared dressed in black and crying often, and then l knew that the poor child's mother was dead, as far as knew she was alone in the world. The flowers came no more for many days, nor did she show any sign of recognition, but hor when she placed her handkerchief to them. And oppdsite to her was the old ladv's chair, and l could see that from time to time she would lay down her work and gaze at it, and then flood of tears would come to her relief. But at last one day she reused herself to nod to me, and then her flowers came. Day after day my flower went forth to join it, and with varying fortunes the two flowers sailed away as of yore.
 But the darkest day of all to me was when a good-looking young gon- dolier, standing right end uppermost in his gondola (for l could sec him in the flesh) worked his craft alongside the house and stood talking to her as she sat on the balcony. They seemed to speak as old friends indeed, as well as 1 could make out, he held her by the hand during the whole of their interview, which lasted quite half an hour. Eventually he pushed of, and left my heart heavy within me. But soon took heart of grace, for as soon as he was out of sight the little maid threw two flowers growing on the same stem-an alle- gory of which could make nothing, until it broke upon me that she meant to convey to me that he and she were brother and sister, and that had no cause to be sad. And thereupon I nodded to her cheerily, and she nodded to me and laughed aloud, and I laughed in return, and all went on again as before.
 Then came dark and dreary time, for it became necessary that I should undergo treatment that confined me absolutely to my bed for many days, and I worried and fretted to think that the little maid and I could see each other no longer, and worse still, that she would think that had gone away without even having hintcd to her that I was going. And I lay awake at night wondering how I could let her know the truth, and fifty plans fitted through my brain, all appearing to be feasible enough at night. but absolutely wild and inn practicable in the morning. One day and it was bright day indeed for me-the old woman who tended me told me that gondolier had inquired whether the English signor had gone away or had died; and so I learned that the little maid had been anxious about me, and that she had sent her