San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-11

! sometimes.
Il understand. And no doubt you
would be glad to return to the life of
! your bOyhood?'
! He looked little startled.
mot to leave you, EccellenZa!'
! smiled rather sadly Not TO leave
me? Not if you welded Lila MONTH
His olive cheek flushed, but he shook
his head.
Impossible! She would not listen to
me. She is a child"
"She will soon be woman, believe
me. A little more of your company will
make her So But there is plenty
of time. She is beautiful, as
you said; and something better
than that, she is innocent-think of that,
Vincenzo! Do you know how rare
thing innocence is-in a woman? Re-
spect it as you respect God; let her young
life be sacred to you"
He glanced upwards reverendlY.
"Eccelanza, | would as soon tear the
Madonna from her affairs as vex or
brighten Lilla.''
smiled and said no more, but turned
into the house. From that moment
resolved to let this little love-iGyll have
fair chance of success. Therefore |
remained at Avellino much longer
than l had at first intended-not
for my own sake but for VinCen-
eos. He served me faithfully,
he should have his reward. | took a
pleasure in noticing that my efforts to
promote his cause were not altogether
wasted. spoke with Lila often on in
different matters that interested her, and
watched her constantly when she was all
unaware of my ObServant gaze. With
me she was as frank and fearless as
tame robin: but after some days found
that she grew shy of mentioning the
name of Vincenzo, that she blushed
when he approached her, that she was
timed of asking him to do anything for
her; and from all these little signs
l knew her mind, as one knows by
the rosy streakS in the sky that the sun
rise is near.
One afternoon / called the SignOra
Monti to my room. She came, surprised
and little anxious. Was anything
wrong with the service? | treasured
her housewifeIy scruples, and came to
the point at once.
II would speak to you of your child,
the little Lila" | said kindly. Have
YOU ever thought that she may marry"
Her dark bold eyes flied with tears
and her Fps quyered. -a-g--s- --~.'-
Truly | have" she replied with
wistful sadness; "but l have prayed,
perhaps foolishly, that she would not
leave me yet. love her so well; she is
always babe TO me. so small and sweet!
l put the thought of her marriage from
me as a sorrowful thing"
Il ,nlnrs4onA fonl{nor I cciI
''Still suppose your daughter welded
man who would be to you as
son. and who would not part her from
yOu?-for instance, let US say Vim
cenZo?'
Signora Monti smiled through her
tears.
"VincenzO! He is a good lad a very
| good lad, and | love him; but he does
not think of Lilla-he is devoted to the
| ECCellenZa.
II am aware of his DEVOTION" ans
| swered Still | believe you will find
out soon that he loves your Lila. At
present he says nOthng-he fears TO
offend you and alarm her; but his eyes
! sDcak-so do hers. You are good
woman, good mother; watch them both,
you will soon tell whether love is be-
tween them Or no. And see" here
handed her sealed envelope, lin this
you will find notes u the amount OF four
thousand francs" She uttered a little
cry of GmaZement 1t is Lilla's dOwry
whoever she marries, though | think she
will marry Vinccnzo. Nay, no thanks,
money is Of no value TO me; and this is
the one pleasure | have had for many
! weary months. Think well of Vincen-
70, ne j. an excellent fellow. And all /
ask OF you is, that you keep this little
dowry a secret till the day of your fair
child's eSpOusalS."
Before | could prevent her the enthu-
siastic woman had seized my hand and
kissed it. Then she lifted her head
with the proud free-born dignity of a
Roman matrOn; her broad bosom heaved
and her strong voice quivered with sup
pressed emotion.
, Il thank you, signor," she said simply,
'for Lilla'S sake! Not that my little one
needs more than her mothers hands
have toiled for, thanks be to the blessed
saints who have had US both in their
keeping! But this is a special blessing
: of God sent through yOnr hands, and
should be unworthy of all prosperity
were l not grateful. EccellenZa, pardon
me, but my eyes are quick to see thai
you have suffered sorrow. Good action,
tighten grief We will pray for your
happiness, Lila and /, till the last breath
' leaves our lips. Believe 1.-THE name Of
: our benefactor shall be lifted TO the
saints night and morning. aud whC
1 knows but good may come of it,"
| smiled family.
5 Good will come of it, my eXcellen
signora, though | am all unworthy o
1 your prayers. Rather pray" and
| sighed heavily, ".for the dad. that the!