Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-21
BY A WOMAN'S HAND.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
 tors patient lips. II dare say you are sur ple thing too; merely tho fact that could not teach my memory to serve mo as your has been taught to serve you."
 Nita looked slightly abashed. "You wer always % foolish, Gonna. she said pctulantly ''You could not surely have come all tilis way only to see me"
 'I did"
 "And-whsn-I mean. what do you intend to do. now you arc here?" And Nita lookea doubtfully at the shabby garments and coarse figure before her.
 Genna flushed with momentary shame. Not for herself. but for the shullower nature that had 90 quickly learned the worlds first lessons, and measured even affection by ap- pearance. "It need not trouble you," she said coldly. "I go back at once. I-I am glad all Is well with you. There is no need to ask if you are happy-and your husband is good to you. no doubt."
 My husbandr Nita's lips curlsd super- siliously. "He is my slave; adores idolizcs. worships me. I have not done badly for myself. you see, Genna. after all. l told you that had ideas far beyond the life I led-the life you would have condemned me to, even now, had I been foolish enough to stay with you."
 ''At least. you might have told me you were going away" said Genna. rebukingly- pa1ned anc hurt by the coldness and sell ashness of this girl, who held in such little worth the fidelity and love of long years and patient service, mot stolen away and left us to imagine"
 "What?"
 ''The worst that can bs imagined of any girl who deceives those who love and trust her a we loved and trusted you, Nita. But there. 1 did not como toireproach you. lam glad you are happy. and that Rufo is so suc- csssful. He must be great and rich both to surround you with luxury like ,his."
 "What are you talking about9" exclaimed Ntta in astonishment. My husbands name Is not Rufo."
 "Not Rufo7 Not the painter with whom you lied from Giovolii and Genna's voice grew stern, and her face dark with anger ''Then what are you. Nitar
 "I am the wife ot . noble," answered the girl. tossing her head in the old, proud. will full way. You surely were not such a sim- pleton as to imagine would marry a poor painter; and as for lRufo Anio-I hate him !'
 So vindiotively aud furiously were the words spoken. that Genns looked at her in horror and amazement.
 "I tell you I hate himi" persisted Nita stamping her foot with anger, Don't look at me like that. I mean 1t every work He 1 was your lover. was he not ? Ha! ha a fine taste, truly. to prefer you and slight me. But Iswore vengeance, and have had 1t. It Is true." sho went on with greater fury, as the amszsment and scorn in her sisters eyes stunH her with their unuttered rebuke, he amused himself with me. but 1t was you for whom he cared-I knew 1t. He told mo so 1 that evening-the last I was at home, when met him on the hillside; and said you l were about to be welded, and that you did not like him. It was fun to see how angry l he was. and how l showed him that all his airs and sraces were as nothing in your | sight In comparison with the honest worth of l a ploddinS contadino. He said he would go l at once-and promised him that would 1 sit to him in Florence for the remaining; portion of the picture. I told him had friends there. The truth Is l had made up my mind to leave home. I was sick of it, and Iknew could gain a living by sitting as . model to the painters-and-" "Oh, hushr The shamel, agonized on- treaty fell across the girls hoartless words, with a reproach and an agony that silenced her. She saw Genna had thrown herself down on one of the satin couchos-her whole frame convulsed with sobs-her face hands.
 1 Nifa lonk Ad nt hop{ In all "a "You should not have come to see me-" she You always did"
 from her eyos. ''We do look at things in a different light" she said. II thank God for 1t now. I may be poor. and coarse, and ignorant. but at best my lips have never lied my hands have never been soiled by 8 touch that would bring dishonor. Oh, Nita, almost wish you had died ere had seen you as see you today remember you lit- tie. laughing. toddling child, coming to mo for every want. iookingto me for every joy. re- member you happy beautiful maiden the de- light and pride of my heart. have thought of you always, day and night, since you for sock me. I have thought you might be in trouble, need. want, and that you would surely turn to me and remember me then ; for if you were lonely and sorrowful you would know I at least would welcome, shel- ter. love you as ever. But find you-ah, God" Tho words broke on in a cheerless, choking sob.
 Nita only surveyed her with utter .on- tempt. "Poor-lonsly sly-sorrowfulp she re- peated. ''Did you know me so uttle2 Did yen suppose knew my own value no better than thst7 had not boon two months in Florence before was the rage there. Then Rufo sought me-poor fooll He bade me re- member my promise. He could not complete his picture unless I sat to him. The sketch he took of me Fhad obtained long since, and refused to give it him. I sat again. had my reasons for doing 90. knew he wanted his picture sent to Rome by . certain time. Thers was to Do an exhibition of paintings there. believe. We'll. 1t was all completed He seemed satsfed and a flow judges and sr- lists who came to see 1t declared 1t perfect. The night before 1t was to 90 Rufo was out