San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-02
ghe Daily eight.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1891.

left the house, and young maid-Servant
showed me to the nursery.
"Where is the ConteSsa?" l asked in
a whisper, as l trod softly up the stairs.
The ConteSsa?" said the girl, open
ing her eyes in establishment SIN her
own bedroom, Eccellenza-Madama
would not think of leaving it; because
of the danger of infection"
l smothered rough oath that rose
involuntarily to my lips. Another proof
of the woman'S utter heartIessnesS l
thought
Has she not seen her chiid?"
'Since the illness? Oh no, Eccel-
lenzar'
Very gently, and on tip-toe, l entered
the nursery. The blinds were partially
drawn as the strong light worried the
child, and by the little white bed sat
Assunta, her brown face pale and almost
rigid with anxiety. At my approach
she raised her eyes to mine, muttering
softly:
at is always so. Our lady will have
the best of all, first the father, then the
child, it is right and juSt-only the bad
are left"
"Papar moaned little voice feebly,
and Stella sat up among her tumbled
pillows, with wide opened wild eyes, fe-
verish cheeks and parted lips, through
which the breath come in quick uneasy
gasps. Shocked at the marks of in
tense suffering in her face, put my
arms tenderly round her, she smiled
family and tried TO kiss me. pressed
the poor parched little mouth and MUIR
INJURED soothingly.
Stella must be patient and quiet
Stella must lie down, the pain will be
easier so; there! that is right" as the
child sank back on her bed Obediently
still keeping her gaze fixed upon me. l
knelt at the bedside, and watched her
yearningly, while Assunta moistened her
lips, and did all she could to alleviate
the pain endured so meekly by the poor
little thing whose breathing grew
quicker and fainter with every tick OF
the clock. "You are my Papa, are you
not?" she asked. a deep flush crossing
her forehead and cheeks. | made no
answer, l only kissed the small hot hand
l held. Assunta shook her head.
"Ah poverinetta! The time is near,
she sees her father. And why not? He
loved her well, he would come to fetch
her for certain if the saints would let
him."
And she fell on her knees and began to
tell over her rosary with great devotion.
Meanwhile Stella threw one little arm
around my neck,-her eyes were half
shut,-she spoke and breathed with in
creasing difficulty.
sMy throat aches so, Papa!'' she said
pitifully. Can you make it better?"
81 wish could, my darling!' l MUIR
INJURED Il would bear all the pain for
you if it were possible!"
She was silent minute. Then she
said
What a long time you have been
away! And now l am too i'll to play
with your Then a faint smile crossed
her features. See poor To-to!J she eX-
claimed feebly, as her eyes fell on bat
tered old doll in the Spangled dress of
Carnival clown, that lay at the foot
Of her bed. Poor dear old Toto! He
will think do not love him any more,
because nv throat hurts me. Give him
TO me, Papa"
And as obeyed her request she en-
encircled the doll with one arm, while
she still chung TO me with the other, and
added
Toto remembers you, Papa; you
know you brought him from Rome, and
he is fond of you. toO-but not as fond as
] ami And her dark eyes glittered few
erishly. Suddenly her glance fell on As
sunta, whose grey head was buried in her
hands as she knelt.
'.AsSunta!'
The old woman looked up.
"Bambinettaw she answered and heI
aged voice trembled.
"Why are you crying?" inquired
Stella with an air of plaintive surprise.
"Are you not glad to see PaDa?"
Her words were Interrupted by SHARP
spaSm OF pain, which cOnyulsed her
whole .body-she gaSped for breath
she was nearly Sutfocated. ASsunta and
raised her up gently and supported her
against her pillows; the agony passed
slowly, but left her little face white and
rigid, while large drops OF sweat gath
cred on her brow / endeavOred TO
sOOthe her.
Darling, you must not talk, | whiS-
pered impiOringiy; try to be very still
then the poor throat will not ache so
much.
She looked at me wiStfully. After a
minute Or two she said gently:
kiss me, then, and | will be quite
good" | kissed her fondly, and she
closed her eyes Ten, twenty, thirty
minutes passed and she did not stir. At
the end of that time the doctor entered.
lie glanced ut Acr-gave ME warning
look, and remained standing quietly at
the foot of the bed Suddenly the child
woke, and smiled divinelY on all three of
Us.
Are you in pain, my dear?" | softly
asked.
NO" she answered in 4 tiny voice, SC
faint and far away that we held oul
breath to listen to it; Il am quite wei
now ASsunta must dress me in my