The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-08-15

''Do you wish me to continue, my
dearest boy:' asked Ferucci. "Our
friendship, which is SO precious to me,
will not be impaired by my frankness?"
"No, my old friend" answered Or
! lando, gently. Draw up my indict-
ment; take kindly your affectionate in
terest."
"You viii never get to the point of
persistent toll. You see, Monteforte, you
are the most agreeable Instrument of art
that l have ever met. Your cords are
set in vibration by every generous breath,
but, fugitive as the passing song, your
| impressions you cannot fix. You are
not an artist yourself; and, when it
comes to a question of realization, you
win always produce something like the
picture Of today-that is, nothing!'
His solitude in the midst of the world
had given the old painter a mania for
soliloquizing. He had forgotten Teresa S
interests, and now was talking rather to
himself.
NO" he resumed, "you will not live
by your art. You will not undertake a
trade. Under our skies it is too difficult,
you see-this energy in toll. In fact,
he continued, with q bitterness which
was no longer hidden, you are even less
capable of it than |. In presence of nat
ure have vision of the beyond-and
then--and then-when | wish to execute
I can do nothing at all! Utter power
lessnesS!'
He held up his two rough hands; his
eyes became animated; q sort of anger
distorted his face.
ooh! stupid nature!" he exclaimed;
producer Of SO many incomplete and
unfortunate beings! See, have an art
lists vision and q masons hand!'
But then he remembered the Cardellis
Becoming suddenly calm, Ferucci turned
to Orlando.
"You, who have not even that, my boy,
look about you, and arrange your life
otherwise. If you cannot be an artist in
the fultsense of the term, at least you can
become q good father, good husband
make the woman who loves you happy at
the same time that you make yourself
happy, l had forgotten the principal
purpose CT my remarks"
Yes" sal! Orlando, in a melancholy
tone, "let us come to the purpose"
In few words" resumed Feruccl.
81 met N. CardclIi, who was looking for
ne. His daughter loves you. Since Ri
en@i's departure she sees no more of YOU:
you DO not visit her parents"-
"Why, naturally, interrupted Monte
.
may love me; donot wish to beimpolite,
l cannot arouse hopes that l feel myself
incapable Of realizing. That is why do
not 90 there. And then, her worthy pa
rents bore me; we can find nothing to say
to each other"
"Monteforte, this child loves you, and
she is dying of this love! The doctor
advises your presence; they all ask it;
she desires you!'
"Oh! oh!' growled the young man.
"lf l so there, perhaps l shall make a
blunder don't know how to resist.
And later how l should repent"
My dear boy, l have promised to
bring you. l have no .eloquencc; but
this father has moved me deeply. Be-
sides, what does this little creature lack?
She is not very pretty, it is true. But
after six months Of marriage you will
not notice that"
"And thin!' interrupted Monteforte
with a grimacc. And black Not even
voice! Nothing!'
"Out upon you, egoist! She loves
you. Is woman's love, then, such an
ordinary thing?'
ooh! for that Natter said Orlando,
Glove as it is described in books and in
songs, have never felt or met. l con-
slider it a very wcarisome disease. Fur
thermore, do not care to be adored. l
prefer''-
"What do you prefer, imbeciIc:" cried
the old painter, his arguments exhausted
"Well, prefer to love myself-as far
as possible, of course!'
But in talking they had reached the
Salita Concezione, and even the house of
the Cardellis.
WilIy,niily, Monteforte had to go up
the steps; his companion left him, but
not till he had pulled the bell