Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-07-19

thing.
He especially shrank from the raillery
of his friends, or was somewhat exasper-
ated when he saw how vain it was to
deny.
Not on his own account, but he did not
wish her to be compromised, for he did
not feel that he should ever have courage
enough to sacrifice his independence by
marrying her.
Consequently he avoided her, greatly
embarrassed, very weary of the role that
he was playing; for there was nothing
of the Don Juan in the poor Monteforte.
Teresa did not weary. She never gave
up hope of winning him. To accom-
plish that, what was necessary? Per-
haps to find herself alone with him at
some time. Chance came to her aid.
She learned one day that Orlando would
spend the next day in painting on the
terrace The Rienzis were to ne at Naples
a portion of the day; 60 he would be alone.
Teresa pretended not to have heard.
But the next day, toward 8 o'clock,
she arrived with smile upon her lips,
and she went directly upon the terrace,
where the artist was at work.
Teresa assumed most innocent air,
and, approaching the painter with ad-
mirably feigned surprise, she said:
"What, you are at Portici, NJ. Monte
forte? And since when?'
"Since this morning, mademoiselle.
am painting group of singers, with the
fir trees of the Palazzo Reale as back
ground"
"Oh, should be very sorry to disturb
you, Don Orlando; know what that is.
Pay no attention to me. am waiting
for signora."
The artist bowed and resumed his
place. From time to time he blinked his
eyes to observe the tops of the trees over
the balustrade. And placing few
touches, Strengthening back his head or
holding it to one side to better see the
effect, he spread new colors on his pa
lette and mixed them, carefully seeking
delicate shades. He still surveyed the
landscape, and then fixedly, coquettishly
returned to his canvas.
To tell the truth, he was posing little,
just a very little. His ideas were no
longer ON his sketch.
Doubtless he still thought of her as the
little spider. Teresa was scarcely seduc-
tive to him. In the presence Of others
he would have blushed at this game.
But there, alone with her-oh, well!
/ He was not annoyed at producing an
impression, for, in fact, she was wom-
an, after all. And, besides, if he pleased
her he certainly could not reproach him
self, for he had done nothing to inspire
this passion, about which there was so
much talk. After all, it is flattering to
be loved without effort, even by the
ugliest.
Teresa, modestly seated apart, had
chosen her place in such way that she
could see him quite at her ease, and then
be seen if, perchance, he rested from his
work.
Really this work absorbed him very
much and, just heaven! for what results:
But he Wa accomplishing what he de-
sired; that is, making a fine spectacle OF
himself.
The warm light winds from the sea
blew through his thick, curly hair. She,
in her comparative insignificance, think
ing herself forgotten, buried herself in
the straw chair. With teeth and lips set
she darted glances at him from her half
closed, deep black eyes, which shone
through her curled lashes. A little ami
NAL of prey, wild to the point Of being less
ugly, for the word "embellished" could
not be used of her.
Neither Of them grew tired, he OF being
superb, she of looking at him.
Maria Grazia, the daughter of the Por-
tress, very much woman-thati is, always
Jealous, although she had a sweetheart
in Marseilles, where he was working to
earn money enough to marry her-Maria
Grazia was looking for an idea. This
tete-a-tete might deprive her of an ad-
mirer; for Orlando never passed her with
out giving her a glance and compli-
mentary word. He considered that
necessary, as a matter of politeness, in
passing pretty women.
"Simpatical" he would say to her,
which, among women of Maria Grazias
class. is the supreme expression of at
traction.
Certainly Don Orlando might brush
against her as no passed, for he would
find out to whom he was talking if he
should ever try to kiss her.
Monteforte confined himself to flatter-
ing words. But in spite of this she looked
upon him as to some extent her property;
consequently she thought of disturbing
this dangerous tete-a-tete. This bold
Donna Teresa was running after him;
but he thought her homely, and Maria
Grazia, kind little heart, sought way to
rid him of her.
With this view she ran into the garden