San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-09-10

Rome and Paris; had been honorably re-
ceived in Venice by the Serenissima; had
lived everywhere in the society of the
greatest politicians, learned men and dis
tinguished artists, and had been involved
with some of the most beautiful and most
celebrated women of his time. He had
lately married in LuCea a cOuntrywOman
of his, the proud Clarice degH StrOzzi
Once before, in Florence, he had promised
his heart and hand to another, but that
was long ago
After Hippo left him he passed thought
fully through the entrance of San Giovanni,
where, twenty-siX years ago, he had re-
celved the sacrament of baptism. At the
door he dipped his finger into the vessel of
consecrated water, for although a follower
of the Platonic doctrine, he had always re-
manned a son of the church in all his habits
A blind beSgar, in ragged clothes, was
kneeling at the entrance \ pair of candles
burned dimly at the main altar; the rest of
the church was in gloom. The crowd of
believers, who usually filled the temple in
the evening, had disappeared. Alessandro
advanced few steps through the resound-
ing space, then turned back toward the
main altar, where he noticed a kneeling
form which he had at first overlooked, so
near was she to the door by which he had
entered. OF her face, which was turned
toward the high altar, he saw nothing but
a pale, oval shape, while her form was
hidden in long, black mourning gown;
still something whispered to him that this
lonely Gevotee was young and beautiful.
As the young man became aware of this
feeling, the earnest look left his face; he
assumed a more jaunty air and threw back
his cloak so as to show the Spanish doublet
underneath, while his steps sounded louder
through the empty church, and his sword
jingled lightly along the mosaic pavement.
The lady shrank back startled, and turned
toward him beautiful face, but pale as
marble, and to which the uncertain light
from the altar lent peculiar charm.
Alessandro stepped up to her and said
modestly: Madonna, see that you are
alone; the church will soon be closed, and
the streets swarm with suspicious charac-
tiers. VIII you allow me to protect you and
escort you to your homer"
The lady trembled so at his words that
she was forced to support herself with her
arm on the stone step near which she knelt.
She answered hesitatingly and with bowed
head: "Sir, | have no longer any home.
The house of God is now my house"
The young man leaned down toward her
and with sympathy asked: did | startle
you, madonna? You seem to be suffering
from some heavy sorrow"
She raised her head and said to him in 4
tender tone: Eyes, was startled at hear
ing the voice which | thought never to
hear again. Do you no longer know poor
Blanca, whom you once taught to believe
that she was the nearest to your hearth"
"Bianca!' stammered the young man;
you, and alone at this hour'
II have been praying to God to deliver
this poor people and myself also"
"Oh! He has certainly heard-you will
liver cried Alessandro, no longer knowing
what he said, and helping her to rise.
The black eyes glowed feverishly in her
rale face: she clasped his arm tightly, anC
her breath swept his cheek, while his eyes
rested on her as if fixed, seeking the well
known features in this pale but glorious
creature who stood before him in the full
development of her charms.
My home is desolate," she whispered;
my husband dead. the servants fled; hOr-
ror drove me out. seemed to see ghosts
staring at me from every corner"
Her knees gave way beneath her and she
sank forward, as if about to fall, so that he
was forced to catch her in his arms.
my Blanca" he said, overcome by pity
and tenderness, ''yOu are not alone. | have
found you again and will not forsake you"
A CLEAN Of JOY and triumph flashed from
her eyes, but he did not notice it. Lower
ing her face she asked timidly, Where
will you take me?"
He was silent for a moment, and con-
science whispered him that he was about
to betray once more one whom he had for
merly loved passiOnately. Butthe presence
of this beautiful creature, whose heart be
could feel beating against his own, the al
Turing darkness and loneliness, all COM
bined to throw his whole being into a
tumult in which every better feeling sank.
Fiiippo's talk kept running in his mind
Ruin hung so close above their heads and
life was so enticingly beautiful! He thought
of the nights through which he had sighed
before her window, when her brothers had
locked her in and they could only exchange
greetings across the street; of Der beau
ty, which bad been his for so short time,
before the signOria intrusted him with
mission to France.
Come to me-tO my home," he said, in
a tender voice; your own is desolate and
bare; mine, also, IS empty; no household
fire burns there; am all alone. Blanca,
come with me-Bianca, have never for
gotten you-it was higher force that tore
us apart. How often | have thought of
you through all the long years! Your
picture was woven into every thought of
my native city. And now, Blanca, we
may, perhaps, be dying; shall we not make
this last hour joyous one?"
Yes" she answered quickly, and pressed
l. I.