The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-09-18

saw that looked fstigusd. and left m,
to myself,-and during my stay saw
very little OF her, Vincenzo con-
stltuting himself my major
domo, or rather becoming for my sake 9
sort Of emiable slave, always looking tc
the smallest details of my comfort, and
studying my wishes with an anxious so
licitude that touched while II gratified
me. had been fully three days In nv
retreat before he veDtured to enter upon
any conversation with me, for he had
observed that ! always sought to be
alone, that took long, solitary rambles
through the woods and across the hills;
and, not daring to break through my
taciturity, he had contented himself by
merely attending to my material COM
forts in silence. One afternoon, how
ever, after clearing away the remains of
my light luncheon, he fingered In the
room.
1.-The Ecceilenza has not yet seen Lila
MONTH" he asked hesitatingly.
1 looked at him i'm some surprise.
There was blush on his olive-tinted
cheeks and an unusual sparkle In his
| eyes. For the first time / realized thai
this valet Of mine was a handsome young
| fellow.
"Seen Lila MONTH" / repeated, half
absently; ''oh, you mean the child Of
the landlady2 No, have not seen her.
Why do you ask?"
Vincenzo smiled. pardon, Eccellen-
"a; but she is beautiful, and there is q
saying In my province-Be the heart
heavy as stone, the sight of fair face
will tighten I'll"
I gave an impatient gesture "An
folly, Vincenzol Beauty is the curse of
the world. Read history, and you
shall find the greatest conquerors and
sages ruined and disgraced by its snares."
He nodded gravely. He probably
thought Of the announcement l had
made at the banquet Of my own ap-
preaching marriage, and strove to rec
| oncile It with the apparent inconsistent.
cy Of my present observation. But he
was too discreet to utter his mind aloud.
he merely said,
"No nouht you are right, Excellenza
Still one Is glad to see the roses bloom,
and the stars shine, and the foam-bells
sparkle on the waves,-so one Is glad to
see Lila Monti"
1 turned round in my chair to observe
him more closeiy-the flush deepened on
he cheek Is regarded him. laughed
With bitter sadness.
SIN love, AMIGO, art thouP So soon!-
three days-snd thou hast fallen 0 prey
to the smile of Lillai I am sorry for
theel''
He Interrupted me eagerly.
1.-THE Eccellenza is In errorl I would
not dare-she is too innocent,-she
knows nothing! She is like . little
bird in the nest, so soft and
tenders word OF love would
brighten her; I should be coward to
utter It."
Well, WE'LL thought, what was the
use Of sneering at the. poor fellow! Why,
because my own love had turned to
ashes in my grasp, should I mock at
those who fancied they had found the
golden fruit Of the Hesperides2 Vim
cenio, once soldier, now half courier,
half valet, was something Of a poet at
heart; he had the grave meditative turn
Of mind common to Tuscans. together
with that amorous fire that ever burns
under their lightly worn mask of SEEM
ing reserve.
lroused myself to appear interested.
II see, Vincenzo," I said with q
kindly air Of banter, "that the sight
OF Lila Monti more than COM
pensates you for that portion of
the Neapolitan carnival which you lose
by being here. But why you should
wish me to behold this paragon Of maid.
dens / know not, unless you would have
me regret my own lost youth"
A curious and perplexed expression
fitted over his face. At last he said
firmly, as though his mind were made
up,
THE Eccellenza must pardon me for
seeing, what perhaps ought not to have
seen, but"
"But whatP" asked.
"Eccellenza, you have not lost your
youth"
turned my head towards him again
he was looking at me in some alarm-he |
feared some outburst of anger.
"Wellr' said calmly. THAT Is your
idea, is it2 And why?'
"ExcellenZa, saw you without your |
spectacles that day when you fought with |
the unfortunate Signor Ferrari. I |
watched you when you fired. Your eyes |
are beautiful and terrible-the eyes of q |
young man, though your hair is so
white"
Quietly took of my glasses and laid
them on the table beside me.
"As you have seen me once without
them, you can see me again. observed
gently. 81 wear them for special pur-
pose. Here In Avellino the purpose
does not hold. Thus far I confide in
you: But beware how you betray my
"Eccellenza !" cried Vincenzo in truly
panied accents, and with a grieved look.
''Therel 1 was wrong-forgive me.
You are honest; you have served your
country well enough to know the value
OF fidelity and duty. But when you say
have not lost my youth, you are wrong,
Vfneenzol ! have lost tit has been
killed within me by a great sorrow. The
strength, the suppleness of limb, the
brightness OF eye, these are mere out
ward things; but in the heart and soul
are the chill and drear bitterness of
deserted age. Nay, do not smile; I am
In truth very old-so old that tire of
ny length Of days; yet again, not too
Did to appreciate your affection, AMIGO,
and" here I forced q faint smile,
when see the maiden Lila, will tell
Tou frankly what think Of her."
VincenZo stopped his head, caught my
hand within his own, and kissed It, then
eft the room sbruptly, to hide the tears
hat my words had brought to his eyes.
lie was sorry for me, could see, and 1 |
judged him rightly when / thought that [
he very mystery surrounding me in
rsased his attachment On the whole
was glad he had seen me undisguised,
g It was relief to me to be without nv
moked glasses for time, and during all I
he rest of my stay at Avellino l never {
Vore them once
One day saw Lila I had strolled =
p to q quaint church situated on q {
ugged hill and surrounded by fine old '