The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-05-18


With a serious voice she continued:
s'Sone one who does not love me-
He could net answer; his throat con-
tracted. Pityg Remorse? Love, perhapsf
He could not have told
Softly he whispered:
Are you sure that he does not love
yeu?'
She shook her head.
well, my child, tell him, if you love
| him. Men have not always time to go
down to the bottom of their hearts; per-
haps he does not know you we'll Come,
Teresa, be frank with me.
Encouraged by this penetrating voice
and the sincerity of his clear eyes, she
withdrew her hands from Oflandos.
| Then she sat straight up, sustained by
the pillows. Shaking off her weakness,
she resolved to tell all; and Monteforts
saw sort of solemnity transfigure the
young girls face. The soul had per-
meated the human clay, illuminating the
little homely and puny creature with its
divine radiance. With firm voice she
began:
''Since you say that may, M. Monte
forte, am going to tell you everything. !"
DO you remember the day when I
first met you at the Rienzis'? l had all
ready known you for long time, for
you passed before our window at Portici.
Who you were did not know. But l
looked at you and wanted SO much to
know your name, though did not dare
to ask any one.
AT last M. del Vecchio introduced
you. There was such buzzing in my
ears that / could not distinguish your
family name. / heard only your first
name--Orlando. If you only knew how
happy was to see you and be SO near
you! Since then-and long beforehand
always, love your
This confession of the young girl was
30 chaste and deep that he could not find
word worthy of her and of this pure
love. He let his head fall upon the bed,
placing his burning eyes upon Teresa's
pale hands.
She continued:
Before knew you was always
awaiting her; since then | have loved
you faithfully"
Monteforte raised his head, and, keep
ing Teresa's hands in his own, drew
nearer to her.
Teresa continued with cloudless eandor:
..As long as the Rienzis remained in
Italy all went well, although
Although he asked, in low tone.
She, still more treasured at finding
him so near her and so affectionate and
good, continued:
''You have given me much pain, some-
times, without knowing it. And then
was jealous"
Jealous. Teresa? OF whonl2n
..Ohiv said she, shaking her head,
'seven now will not say of whom. OF
everybody. at first And then did all
that I could; l talked to you very sweet
~. Once even 1 stayed long time,
plucked petals from flowers; l believed
yes, I believed that you were on the
point of seeing my secret and all sorts
of things! But no. You began to sing
the nurses cradle song. All the way
home wept!"
Orlando slipped his arm around the
shoulders of the sick girl, who found her
head resting on his chest near his heart.
sTeresa mine, did not know; saw
nothing stupid that l amir
With a Cabling movement of indie
scribable grace, she said:
ssYou could not divine it, could you?
When the Rienzis went away, asked
you to come and see us, and every day I
awaited you; every evening / said to
myself in despair: Perhaps he will come
Tomorrow
The poetry which in Italy even the
women of the people know how to inn
provise in the service of their love, for
mulas ready made perhaps, but none the
less eloquent to those who do not know
them, added a poignant charm to the
| yonng girls tenderness; she continued:
'sThe next day and all the following
days were alike. Yet in spite Of my sad
ness, hope remained. Ahi Don Or
lando," she exclaimed, shaking her head,
"if could wiring my heart before your
| eyes, tears would flow from it!'
s.Teresa, poor dear, good little soulI'
cried the young man.
He. could think of nothing else to say,
| but he would have liked to make her
| Slulie, 10 DreaLne lnLO the chllQ his
abundant life, and to take upon himself
! the larger share Of her saffering-all her
suffering.
She allowed herself to be lulled with
vague words, caressing infections. And
when Nine. Cardelii came back they
were still in the same position, Teresa
resting against his heart.
An impulse of generosity seized Mon
teforte. He thought only of saving her.
Whether Teresa had more money thar
he Qess was impossible) he did not reflect
for moment. And in voice Of emo
ton, mingled with pity, Monteforte de
clared:
| ''You see, Nine. Cardelli, 1 wish my
Teresa to be cured and get up again. We
must marry soon, since we love each
| other"
s.Then," said Teresa, with a sigh Of de-
liverance, ''then you love me, tell me-
| Do you love me-"
He was a chivalric player.
why. yes, my Teresa. love you.
And since so long ago! Only, you know,
men work and do not go down into THEN
| hearts