The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-09-12
VOL XII. RISING SUN, CECIL COUNTY, MD, FRIDAY, SEPT
with a charming expression.


she kept her astonished, timid candor,
the gentleness of submissive and very
good children.
Her face was beautiful; but she bad
another beauty which came from a
deeper source, from the heart. And
then she had child's form, little and
supple, an exquisite body made for ca
| reSSes.
Ferucci asked himself what service he
could render her in exchange for the
happiness she had dreamed of for him
and found.
His look turned in the direction of Or
lando, who was leaning out towards the
street, still full of hustle and noise.
Then fine smile played over his with
cred lips; he had hit upon it.
MY children, am a little tired to-
night; am going to leave you."
Teresa thought that her husband would
accompany him. for it was early; doubt
less he would remain at the cafe. Why
should she not follow them?
| Then, with her most persuasive voice:
"We will accompany you if you are
tired, Monsieur Ferucci. Where do you
liver
The artist looked at her few moments;
he hesitated. Then at last, shaking his
head, with little bitterness:
mo, my child, it is useless to accom-
pany me-"
And very softly he added, for himself
alone:
81 do not live."
His smile of tender protection came
back to his lips as he said:
"Good night, Donna Teresa. A hun
dred years of happiness!"
GOOD night, Monsieur Ferucci; the
Madonna be with your said she.
Monteforte followed him to the door.
II am going down with you, old
friend"
mo-" said the bohemian, ''stay with
your dear and good little wife. Have
you noticed how pretty she is growing?
Twas looking at her this evening; a pearl.
my dear boy! And good! The soul of
an angel! Till tomorrow, Monteforte"
Pretty! Teresa!
Orlando repeated his friends word in
surprise.
When he re-entered the studio, Teresa.
bent under the lamp and perched like q
child upon the arm of a chair, was turn
ing over the leaves of picture book and
smiling, showing her white teeth with
that beautiful Italian smile which con-
trasts with the melancholy of the eyes.
Then, as he contemplated this artless
pleasure, this feminine grace, thoughts
and memories crowded thickly upon him.
Something hitherto closed was opening
in his heart; the careless boy suddenly
made way for the man, with his pro-
found cOmprehensions, bringing an en-
tirely new emotion.
She laughed innocently at the painted
images. He started.
One after another he counted the real
izations that had come to him through
her. without any effort ON his part to de-
serve them, without any voluntary re-
turns of happiness for happiness, without
word of thanks for the goodness that
she scattered with open hands upon his
pathway with a beautiful generosity full
of self denial.
How small he felt beside her! He un-
derstood the grandeur of this soul, a
pure sun whose rays warmed the senti-
ments around her. And suddenly his
voice trembled.
"Teresa," he called.
She rose immediately; the sound of his
voice had astonished her; her husband
was holding out his arms. She rushed
into them; then, clasping his head in her
hands. she looked at him. What did she
read in that masculine face, now ma
tured? The gleam of the night illumi-
mated his proud head and showed his
features in clear outline. 1t had showed
upon his hair. Never had Teresa seen
him as at this moment, and, plunging
her eyes into the dreamy eyes of this new
man, the young woman understood at
last. Bending her head upon her hus-
bands shoulder the pious Neapolitan
bewildered happiness.
Madonna MAR she cried in her
heart, she loves me~
And then she remembered her vow;
she had promised to do something that
would please her protecting saint.
Madonna miaw she thought, 81 prom
Use you to be kind to him who does not
live"
And, sure then that her heavenly pa
troness was pleased, she glided her head
under the pale face of her husband.
For the first time he put into the kiss
of his lips the caress of marvellous love,
like that of his wife; he said for the first
time in the tone that the words demand:
81 love you!"
"Ah" said she, with sigh that con-
tanned a world, sit is because loved you
so much, my own, my handsome Or
lando!'
THE END.