The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-07-25

place In Italy. his vile rs young ana cnarm-
Ing and as lovely 10 look at as star or
flower. His children-ah, there they are" he
exclaimed. "Do you see that little girl COM
ing in, with the fair hair, deep blue eyes and
black lashes, led by that nice-looking Italian
woman-and there comes the baby! See what
fine, vigorous looking fellow he is and look
at his nurse; what a magnificent creature, with
a throat like marble column"
approached the children and examined
them critically, and could but exclaim What
| fine race!"
"Who are those two ladies near themP" /
asked. turning back to my companion.
"ThOse are Che two mothers; the older one,
with white hair, used to know in the old
DAYS in Rome. She il very accomplished,
interesting woman. believe her son says that
what he knows about the English language he
got from her. She has been beauty. too, in
her day. The younger woman is the wifes
mother, the Lady Brender in the 'Immortals.'
People say that she is very good company;
very clever and good-natured-a combination
not usual; but don't know her."
" How is il that you have never made the ac-
quaintance of what should judge must be q
most interesting family?"
Perhaps for that very reason" he replied,
/ have not sought 20 know them. Experience
tells me that there are faults aud disagreeabie
points in every one; and you know the old say
ing, that every house must have its skeleton.
w ell III SO happens THAT HI 4 can see anu HsAI
of this young couple and their surroundings
pleases aud interests me- TO say nothing of the
genuine admiration have for Mr.. Crawfords
books, and this gives me agreeable fund for
speculation and reflection, and helps me TO hang
on TO latent belief that If people only know
how TO live sensibly, the pursuit of happiness
might not he a vain onei and thus, one might
jockey ones skeleton after all. So think,
he said, +" l will content myself with my illu-
sions. and continue to admire them at a dis
lance. Perhaps 1 should add, too" he con-
tinued with a smile, {" that am told they are
not very easy TO get Mt. and don't much care
about making new acquaintance. That old
Marchesa over there tponting TO q comfort
able-looking, bright-eyed woman, who was
putting away on cigaret1 calls them the
SAINTS OF THE PARADIsINo;
for she says the daughterin-law adores her
mother-in-law, and the mother-in-law her SON.
in-law-indeed, they all adore each other If
this is the case, they must be saints indeed"
said my friend, laughing; and bidding me good
night he sauntered of.
The next day. Immediately after luncheon,
armed with my card aud letter of introduction,
| started for the Paradisno. IL was a walk of
about % minutes beautiful winding ascent
through the pines, rushing streams aud dane
ing rivulets meeting you ut every step. When
/ arrived &C the top of the hill / found tho
gate leading up 10 the house partly opened.
Stopping moment TO take breath, also took
the opportunity 10 survey the scene before me.
There was little wild garden in 'front.' full OF
forget-me-nots aud roses. 4 straight path led
up 10 the house, which was an odd-l00kinR,
two-storied stone building. Adjoining il was
the chapel. which, with its befry gave TO the
whole building rather a picturesque effect.
There were several large stone steps leading
down from the house on TO terrace. On one
Of these was seated a man reading aloud. He
was surrounded 10y four or five persons. the
feminine portion with their work lying idly In
their fingers for both they and the two Others
were evidently listening intentiy. ] then
quietly slipped inside the gate, and there saw
to my amazement that the reader was no other
than
sALvIEI;
he who had been pointed ont TO me the previ-
Gus night. At that moment he stopped reading
and asked for glass Of water. This gave me
an opportunity OF presenting myself. Although
being perfect stranger aud a very shy man,
confess IL took ail my courage Co face such
party. j Was just approaching the terrace.
when tall, fne-looking man stepped forward
and very courteonsy asked what be could do
for / asked il / WAS addressing Mr.. Marion
Crawford /; thai / was -, aud had brought
him letter from friend ia London.
Marion Crawford Is my name" he said,
with smile aud taking my card aud letter he
glanced aI hHEm nhSLiiY, ana Nutn NelcDnihE
me in the kindcst manner asked me 10 join
| their party, adding that Mr.. Salyini had done
/ them the great favor TO offer TO read them an
! article he had written on bis Interpretation of
some OF Shaksperr's characters. tie presented
me 10 his wife, whose expressive face and
| peaceful manner seemed 10 me much more
| lovely than any sonlless star or flower, TO
which my friend Of the table d hote had COM
pared her. took a seat beside her, as she sug.
/ gested, and SalYini AZ once continued his read
| ing
/ Although my knowledge Of Italian il imper-
1 feet ] found that, owing to the wonderful dis
| tinctness of his pronunciation, could seize
nearly his entire meaning, aud / greatly en-
jOyed the musical cadences Of bis Temarka-
bic voice and watching the changing ex-
preston Of his much-expressye face Dur
/ ing the reading ] allowed my attention TO
wander little 10 the rest OF the party. which
| consisted Of our host the two ladies had seen
| the night before, fine-lOoking old man. Mr..
4 CrawfOrd's stepiather. and sitting on the other
side Of Mr.. Crawford, a man Of very distin-
1 guished appearance, with remarkably inter-
estiug face. lie WAS Of middle weight, we'll
made, very dark, with keeH, sharp, intelligent
eyes. found later that he was
PRIscE or SOME GREAT ROMAN HOUSE,
and he looked to me az II lie had stepped out OF
! one of Van Dykes portraits TO sit to the an-
! thor Of Sarracinesca for the hero Of that
story. When the reading was over very ami
mated discussion took place between the
1 Prince aud Salviui as to their different inter-
| probation Of the character Of "Othelio." Mr..
| Crawford putting in telling word OCCASION
ally, but evidently more enjoying listening 10
them than 10 talking himself / confess, as
| looked at Crawford, shade of envy passed
through me, as ] thought Of my own delicate
constitution, enteebled by those months in An
dersonyIile, aud compared il with his vigorous
wei-knit frame, and felt the almost magnetic
force Of his presence. He has Greek face
clear-cut, straight features. perfectly shaped
head. aud bright blue. keen eyes His voice ii
very agreeable and well moduiated. lie speaks
aud prOnounces like an Englishman, but nat
uraily. and without the slightest afectation
His manners are courteous and simple. Ht
seems very positive i'm all his feelings aud con
victioDs, and after the above conversation aud
the somewhat desultory one that followed,
told him. laughiBgly, that ] had made up ms
mind that he WAS al least strong on two points
his religious faith and his want Of faith in al
doctors.
found salvini very agreeable tall5er. II,
bears a strange likeness to Bismarck and OF
my re1naTking this 10 him, he replied tina
when In Berlin he had several times beer
taken for him. He told me he had just signee
an engagement 20 act once more in America
and should sail year from October When h
: left Mr.. Crawford asked If i would not like b
: look 40 the view az the other side Of the house
and wonderful view IL Basl Almost i'm from
was the rugged crest of the Consume Pass below
( the town Of T0sl perched on a crag, lower still
r the Valley Of the Arno four or i've bends in tin