Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-09-06

Once he met Mariuccia in the street.
At first she did not see him, very much
absorbed by hot dish which she was
carrying in her outstretched hands with
infinite precautions. She came near let
ting 1t fall when she saw her brother.
He turned away his head disdainfully;
and Mariuccia had fit Of trembling
which lasted several days. Don Agos-
ttno did not even allude to the matter;
but she no longer dared raise her eyes
when she said at the table:
"Agostino, q little more soup, maca-
roni, chicken"
To appease him they made very fine
thick cake with French jam; he did not
touch it.
They made him some rosolio, of the
odor of which he was fond.
"Agostino," said his wife, ''this rosolio
Of orange flowers l made for you; l
thought you would drink it with pleas
ure."
II was also Orlando's favorite drink.
The poor man thanked her coldly.
81 am very much obliged to you," he
said, but without tasting it, in spite Of
the timid insistence Of the two women
Did anything fail to be ready in season,
or was something or other forgotten (and
certainly the poor creatures seldom for
got anything; but he had now terrible
eye for such things), he curled his lips
bitterly and muttered:
II understand. Household affairs!"
His birthday was approaching.
What should they do for the family
dinner? BY the advice Of the mother
Aunt Maria talked to Teresa on the sub
ject.
But then arose another complications:
the young woman declared that she
would not be present at dinner from
which her husband was excluded.
Yet the fete could not come off without
Teresa. Even though her father should
receive her coidly, she owed the old man
this mark Of Difference. But her hus-
bandit
Despite the arguments and prayers Of
the poor old ladies Teresa did not swerve.
She and her husband; !; otherwise neither.
Then, 1T last, the mother decided.
Monteforte was invited to the Saint
Augustine dinner. But they thought
that he would have the good sense to
refuse.
Not at all; he accepted without word
Of objection.
vainly did they tell him that the
father might receive him i'll. The birth
day had come; his children must offer
their good wishes. Don Agostino was
still angry with him. But what of it?
Was 1t not now an accomplished facts
It had killed p,body. And as for them
selves, they wore infinitely happier.
When the tvo ladies. their arguments
exhausted, appealed for patience and
resignation at least, whatever might be
the fathers humor, Monteforte smiled
ct their fears. He even added:
"What? Don Agostino will not be in
good humor? Oh! rs If! And then he
will not eat me-
"Only the Madonna can tell how this
will end!" sighed the poor mother, with
. sadness unmingled with resignation.
May 8, Saint Augustine's day.
On waking the father found beside his
bed . little package carefully tied with
pink ribbon, containing pair OF em-
broidered suspenders, with letter dec
Grated with sprig Of fern. 1t was
Teresa's good wish.
"Dear Father:
II wish you q hundred of these fine
days with the Madonna's blessing, and
embrace you respectfully and tenderly.
"TEREsA."
Donna Bettina was watching him; he
did not frown.
His wife in turn presented her good
wishes, giving him a dozen handker-
chiefs embroidered with a monogram
somewhat difficult and complicated.
Then, much agitated, she embraced him.
dear husband Of mine"
"A thousand thanks, Bettina," he an
swered with dignity and without effu-
sion.
Il was Mariuccia's turn.
"A hundred of these fine days, dear
brother of mine," said she, embracing
him n his wife had done and handing
him beautiful silk purse.
He was still icy.
Oh! il he had only said: "How pretty
these suspenders are!" they would have
caught at the word; one of them, ready
In advance, would have gone after Teresa.
And then they would have made ready
for Orlando's coming.
The birthday appeared under very dis
agreeable auspices. For what dinner
were they getting readyl
While preparing the intricate birthday
dishes which = good Neapolitan house
wife should always make with her own
hand. Donna Bettina and Maria sighed
heavily and frequently, and from time
to time they wiped away q furtive tear
- they followed with anxious glances