Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-15


 tered idly hero and thore-now stopping to gaze at a maronette show in the square, or dreamiunder some old broken gateway where the,walls had once been frescoed, but had now only the dim soft greens and grays of age There was plenty of beauty in the old time- worn town-but the kind of beauty that would only charm the eyes of a painter or poet, and by most other people be disre- garded.
 Itcharmed Rufo, and gave him subjects for many a sketch, to be afterward enlarged and finished and not till the dusk began to fall. and the dark streets look darker, and the shadowy houses moro shadowy, did he turn away and walk slowly over the bridge, and out into the steep stony road, where he know Nita must soon be, if her friend kept her word.
 That she did keep it was soon evident. Gay voices and girlish laughter fell upon his ear, and glancing back he saw the tall handsome figure the coppersmith's daughter, but not as ho had anticipated-as Nita's sole com panion.
 However, there was no help for 1t, SO, re- solving to make the best of circumstances. he gavo gay greeting to Teresina, and walked by her side until an opportunity came of speaking to Nita. It soon offered itself-the little coquette knowing perfectly well that this meeting owed nothing to chance and being as desirous of exercising her destinations on tho handsome stranger as he was to succumb to their witcheries. From time to time, as some farm or home, stead was reached. the escort diminished for Nita lived further from the town than If baY ba who would gladly have accompanied her to her own dwelling grew sulky and angered at her saucy rebuffs and pretty impertinences, and left her finally to the care of Rufo and Teresina. Then it was that, seizing the op- portunity for which he had longed all day, the young painter pleaded for the privilege of painting her from life. Nita pre,endcd surprise at his request. Il cannot tell" she said dubiously. "lf Genna permits"
 And who is Genna2" he asked.
 My sister,"
 ''Why should she not permit? There is nc harm in it. Your friend here has often sat ! to me-"
 "Yes, but Nita Is watched like a car-tor- tured mousse" laughed the coppersmith's ! daughter insolently. 'What is allowed to me as right will not be granted her a privilege"
 Indeed you arc wrons," said Nita cal nestly. "Genna is very, very good" Then try and persuade her-will you notP' said Rufo, in his most caressing tones. "Ii 1 sho loves you she will do whatever you wish Who could help it?' he added in q lowel voice, and with a glance that brought the l hot bright olor to the girls lovely face.
 "You are foolish to ask her about it at al, Nita," said her friend, contemptuously. "Dc what do. Invent an errand excuse tc the town or roam over to the ruined monas- tery wonder. No one mood know"
 Nita looked doubtful. "It would not be right. Besides, might be seen.'
 Tho painter smiled under his thick, dark mustache. "How the sex repeats itself," he said to himself. "It Is the fear of discovery. not the fear of wrong-doing, that keeps nine out of ton women straight"
 But he spoke more softly and persuasively than ever. II will meet you wherever you wish," he said. "I would take any trouble, only to have that beautiful face of yours on my canvas"
 And the subtle flattery stole into the girls heart. She hestated. "Will tho world see it the picture, mean?" she asked.
 "Assuredly," he answered her. Ut will be seen and talked of and admired everywher . throughout the great cities."
 She flushed with pleasure and Fgratifed vanity. "Then will come."
 He thanked her simply and cordially, and as if it were q mere act of courtesy which he had entreated, instead of a deception he had assisted to cloak. Then with a few more ! h l,ft t1, hnrh hNc iy, oip,t
 Genna greeted her sisters friend more cor. dially even than her wont, she was so pleased to see Nita with no other company, for she had dreaded to find her escorted by the gay youths and idle, careless maidens who were Teresinas most favored associates.
 And have you enjoyed your holiday, deaI Nita2" asked Genna tenderly, as she set z draught of milk and some bread and toma toes before her sister, waiting on her with tenderness and pride at once motherly anG unseltlsh.
 The girl sighed and moved restlessly away from her caressing touch. "It was wei enough" she said. '"The puppet show was beautiful. There was Q king and queen, and the queen had q lover, and then they were discovered and he was murdered-just lik, lfer'
 "Oh Nita!"
 "You arc so foolish, Genna," pouted th pretty child. "Why, there was nothing wrons in that-was there? The very mention O lovers seems 10 frighten you. suppose be cause you never had one3"
 "No, dear. itis not that mind your talkins about them, but you treat them so unkindly and you mako them so jealous. Only las week Bruno and Tista fought about you witt knives, and Tista is ill., dying they say now and it is not right, Nita, to make sport o such things"
 But Nita only laughed. "Why motif the are so foolish? I did not want them t. fight"
 But you were the cause, Nita. and list
 loves you so dearly; he would make you
 good husband, too"
 The girl laughed merrily. II have n'
 fancy for marrying" she said. Hook at tn
 women around, the household drudges wit ' not thought beyond their potato-pot an T. their cabbages and their straw-plaiting. ant
 the brown babies rolling about in thoir wash