Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-13

vout Catholic the Co untess showed quite
unchristian discomfort.
But at this remote illusion to religion the
Countess manner became chill. ''You
speak," she said, "of my husband without
knowing him, and of my grievous burden
without conception Of its weight. All, my
friend, my husband is O brutei He is
brutei Let me tell you that. 1t is not only
that he deserts me-that he goes out early
every morning and comes back late every
night It is not only that. 1t is worse
much worse"
The Baroness stared, and adjusted her
pincenez
"HehP' she asked, "has he beaten your"
But the other made a gesture Of denial,
and her tones took chilling gravity. my
husband is so impious," she said with 8
slight shudder "He is an infdel."
Now, the Baroness Bravura's attention
was so engrossed on the efforts of her mill
liners as to leave her small leisure for inYes-
tigating theological truths.
"That failing in a husband would not dis
tress me much" she said. But the Countess
Medina's manner became much like ice;
and she looked at her fippant English
friend austerely. A superior pity shone
from her grave dark eyes, and her hushed
voice trembled, as the voice OF one initiated
speaking to the outcast of sacred things.
my poor friend" she said, "knowing az
do that you have not yet iound the True
Faith, fear that may not be able to make
you understand my real suffering. All,
bionda, ii you could only be persuaded to
see the Real Lightp
The Baroness Brayura somewhat ostenta-
tiously applied to her tip-tilted nose an ex-
quisite lace handkerchief in which a minia-
ture powder puff lay hid.
"Let us hear this real suffering" she
said.
"My real suffering, a suffering hidden
from the world" the Countess said, "but
which is eating my heart out. is this: NY
husband, not content with being an infdel
himself, insists on trying to force his inf
deity on me.
"AhP'
"Like all men without religion, he hates
the sight of priest. He is always Offend
ing my ears with quotation from some in
fdel French poet. "A priest is cat,' he
says. When 1 see priest feel myself
dog"
SAhP'
"Ever since he returned suddenly from
Africa three months ago he has forbidden
me to attend confession"
The Baroness Bravura raised herself
slightly in her arm chair and again ad-
justed her pincenez.
sor handsome2"
"Ah, you hurt meP' cried the Countess.
A silence fell between these two "a
silence painful and prolonged. The Baron
ess, cons1mmate woman Of the world as she
was, felt that she had outraged her friends
religious feelings so deeply that for the mo-
ment IL would be wisest to sit still and say
and do nothing.
But as these two sat motionless in the sub
/: - Il Ak L.. Ii - H. L.. -
low, in the terrible glare of the Strada
Banchi Nuovi, another, seemingly up to
now eternaIly immobile, was suddenly
stirred to action. At the sound of light
swift footsteps coming toward him on the
deserted pavement, Arpino, the blind beg
gar, who still kept the yellow whites Of his
upturned eyes riveted on the Palazzo, raised
his head abruptly. His mustache bristled.
"For the pity of Godp' he cried in his
monotonous voice. and with his accustomed
action extended his open hand. This hand
shook. The light, swift footsteps were
stayed; and low. sweet voice sounded in the
"Affiicted brother have you long been
blind?''
"For ten years, my father"
"Are you stone blind?
'fStone blind, my father"
SLOW came you to know that priest
| spoke to you?''
"who but priest would call the outcasl
an afflicted 'brother?'
''The blessings Of heaven support you in
| your affection, my son."
A lira note was placed in Arpino's hand,
and the light, swift footsteps passed on;
| passed on, :.nd mingled with the crowd, and
died into indistinctness in the many-voiced
murmurs OF the street. But Arpino listened.
| There was something almost menscing in
the blind mans attitude Of strained intent
ness. Even his hearing, however, prefer
naturally quickened a. il was BY his other
affection. could not have traced the course