The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-05-10

VNI fGGy&MARj OF her birthplace
S<M<M ere noon.
II IN She felt straAgs.
~ confused, bAwil-
lered. She had never before been In IL rail-
way, and 1t seemed to her simple mind ii
terrible and unnatural thing-this creature
with its painting breath, its trail of smoke
and fame, its fearful speed, that bore he.
along, where. she did not know.
At nil zhtfall she reached Rome, and dazed
and worn out from tho cold and long fast
Ing, and terror of hcr journey. she stumb bled
out of the terminus, and SO found herself in
the streets Of the great city.
She stared about her as she went. II was
already quite dark, and tho streets were very
lonely and Ill lit, as Rome Is at all times and
she made her way along slowly and uncer-
Eainly through the gloom that reigned
around.
Suddenly before her she saw q sight that
held her breathless. 1t seemed as If she
looked upon a way Of fire or as II the whole
earth burned with myriad flaming flowers,
that had sprung suddenly from tho darkness.
A river OF light glowed before her; domes,
cupolas streets, houses. all were bathed in
Its radiance. and ablaze with its golden
spendor.
She stood aghast doubling her own sight,
marveing whether she did not dream.
She did not know it was the mocoletti of
the Carnival at which she gazed. In her own
province it WIS altogether unknown, and she
had never heard Of it ut all and this torrent
OF light and mad uproar of people deafenod
and terrified her. and held her there motion.
less in her horror and her dread.
She turned away ut last, and ran swiftly
down some quiet side street, thinking 1t led
away from tho tumult. She soon found her.
self mistaken. crowd seemed TO spring up
on nll sides-before. behind, around hor. She
was wedged in by a multitude from whom
escape was impossible. They bore her along
by the forco of their own movement, past
frightened horses and fantastic cars, and
throngs of maskers, all with flaming tapers
in their hands, each one bent on oxtinguish-
Ing his neighbor's and preserving his cwn
alight,
Crushed aud breathless. she at last found
n moments cessation OF that onward prog
ress, and taking advantage of it, she clung to
adoorway near by, the arch OF which gave her
temporary shelter. There she stood, tr,m-
bling like a frightened hare. as she watched
tho heaving, pushing crowd surge by, while
the whole mir seemed alive with this lumin-
Gus, fantastic war OF flames.
AS she waited, shrinking back as far as
possible, for fear of again being caught by
that seething mass. her eyes wandered to u
window opposite, beneath which a wide
gallery had boon erected. 1t was draped
| with crimson and gold, and cushioned seats
wore placed on it and there beforeher, rest
| ing her arms on the balustrade. and laughing
| like IL child In her glee at the sight before
her, was a woman SO beautiful that Genna
involuntarily started as her eyes rested on
her. Was it-.could 1t be Nita ?
She Gazed on-doubting. marveling. both
In one. The lovely face, the pouting. child
like lips, the exquisite grace Of the figure.
the great lustrous laughing eyes, all were the
same, and yet 50 different. Robes OF velvet
and satin infolded her, jewels flashed in her
beautiful hair, and drooped like sparks OF
flame from her tiny ears. Yes-it was Nita
beyond doubt. The eye OF love could not be
deceived. A great wave lof thankfulness
swept over Genna's heart. Then her eyes
roved over the many figures surrounding her
sister, searching for that one face she longed,
yet dreaded to see. He was not there.
"she looks happy" sighed Genna softly.
"How rich she must boil And she looks
more beautiful than ever"
The river Of fire ran by unheedei now.
Chance had brought her to this place and
supplied her with the very evidence she had
so lonGed to obtain. "Iwll but see her for a
few moments" thought the girl, in her low
ing yearning heart. "My little Nlta, who ia
now SO beautiful and greatl Does she ever
think of me, wonderr"
Tho city, tho crowds, the strange sights,
all faded from her sight. She saw OILY Nita.
With the first cessation OF the tpmplt she
sped across the street that divided them and
entercd the house, A servant stopped her
and demanded her errand. Then for the
first time Genna remembered how little she
know. She could not even say what was her
sisters name. In hor strange peasant dia'
lect she tried to explain that abe wanted
speech with the lady on the balcony.
"What ladyP" asked the man.
Genna described her.
81 doubt II she can see you at this hour
What is your business?" ha demanded.
sit is with your mistress, not you!" said
Gsnna curtly.
He looked surprised, then moved away
"What name am I to say If my lady asks2'
he said, turning round as he reached the
door.
Genna hesitated. "Say friend from
Giovoli," she said at last.
Ere long the man returned and hads hsl
follow him. He led the way up o marble
staircase, past chambers rich with sculp.
lures, through long corridors and lightet
rooms bright with silver and crystal, anG
pertumed with fragrant scents and glowing
flowers. Everywhere was tho evidence O
wealth-evcrywAeF tho signs of luxury ant
splendor. He stopped at last In a email
dainty room, where a scented wood FIR,
burnt. and bade her wait there. Gem,
stood and gazed around her. stupefied will
SO much magnifoence aud beauty, marvel
ing how ever it had chanoed that Nita wa
possessor OF 1t all,
The soft sound OF a closing door rouseC
her at last. She turned.
Nita stood before her, n naughty challeng
In her ayau oold SpiIa nm bar line ha