San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-05-29
'ity over the family of his


In very cold weather did you never
feel this sensation?
Into a close and heated room some one
comes from outside-a charming person,
well dressed, still carrying in his clothes,
in the SILVER of his flesh and in his breath
the cold of the street mingled with the
perfume of a bouquet of viOlets.
Spring seems to enter with this per-
son, uniting the perfume of fresh flowers
to the warmth of April.
Orlando seemed TO come from lofty
SUBMITS, open to all the winds of heav-
en-; he brought into their existence, half
way down the hill a remnant of sharp
air with perfume of the ideal
One day FeruCci came to see Orlando
towards the end of the day-an unusual
thing. Neapolitan life is inhospitable;
they seldom receive at meal time.
But Monteforte consulted him as to his
picture for the next exposition, a picture
not as bad as his ordinary painting.
Ferucci's neighborliness and we'll rooted
reflection had had salutary influence
upon his work.
The day declined before they knew it.
Suddenly Teresa bethought herself of
the old painters poverty. Had not her
husband regretted, When they lived with
their parents, his inability to ever keep
comrade to dinner? Was not Ferucci
one of those whom he had oftenest
wished to invite? Was he not also the
most lonely and diSinherited of them
all?
Itlt AI hnln Co. 10
vite him required an amount of resolu-
ton difficult for her timidity to over
come. 1t was condescension from all
her habits, from the established custom;
and she feared that the cold supper
would be insufficient, unfit to offer.
After all" thought she, "Orlando has
told me that he lived on so very little.
We have fish picked in lemon juice,
meat, olives, cheese and good wine.
This, at any rate, will be better than eat
ing in wine shop at the water side. II
thought that it would please my hus-
band"-
The minutes were slipping by; she
came to decision.
Monsieur Ferucci," said she, enter
ing the studio, will you give us the
pleasure of sharing our modest meal
without ceremony
This effort required as much courage
as many a thing of more Importance; she
was rewarded. Without awaiting the re-
ply, Monteforte exclaimed:
That's good idea, my little wife! At
the table we can talk better"
And how the old artist did honor to
the meal. His eyes shone softly; little
flame animated his wrinkled cheeks.
Teresa selected for him the most delicate
fish and gracefully cared for him.
The meal over Orlando said:
"Make the coffee in the studio, my
dear We shall be very comfortable
there, and in that way we shall not need
to go Out!
He remained! Like that, without eff
fort, without annoyance!
Teresa made the coffee and waited on
them while they talked. She listened i'll
silence to the unknown language of this
marvellous world of thought, felt herself
in this way nearer her dear husband, be-
came his equal by this sweet comrade-
ship, happy at his dear presence and at
the things which she could not under
stand except by alteration.
The happiness of the humble, and hap
piness worthy of respect.
But her Orlando knew nothing of all
| this. As we have said, he was as unCOn-
scious as a god, but as a merciful god,
who would in any case pour forth happy
intOxication.
The germ Of all happiness is within us.
Only the ray of vital sunlight must come
from another.
Teresa, poor child! bethought herself
of a machiavelic ruse.
That evening during which they had
not diSdained her little ignorant person
all ready to learn by listening carefully
that evening became luminous mem
DRY; she dreamed of repeating it, once,
often, always.
And noticing that FerucCi was older,
more broken and poorer than ever, she
said to her husband, in fine impulse of
charity mingled with hope for herself:
Husband of mine, suppose you ask
N. FeruCCi to take supper with us every
evening. You know-before going to
the cafe. think that would give him
pleasure"
The robust Orlando lifted his wife in
his arms like a child.
Good little one!" he cried, kissing
her. Il viii tell him this very evening"
And the next day Ferucci, the bohe-
D,ion baroIpa SII,.a of biC CrnDor