The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-15
pass in the queer old town, which had al

pass in tho queer old town, which had al
ways seemed to be crumbling.
Tho mother, who was one of the forestieri,
had been Lisa's friend before she had gone
away herself. The two had understood
eachother. Lisa had been enabled to live
and work quietly in her old house withou.
fear of suffering from poverty. She had
not wanted much, and she had a friend who
could not desert her, though she was far
away. Over the mound where her boy lay
there was q slender white CROSS, and upon
the mound many flowers grew, On the
cross the peasant women used to hang gar
lands. On the coast of the Mediterranean
one may afford flowers.
There were things the stranger mother
had said in their talk together which Liza
had taken to her heart and always remem-
bered. They were things of which she did
not speak much to Others, but her thoughts
dwelt on them with strange comfort when
her days work was over; she used to 90 and
lean upon the low wall and look toward the
hill where the Madonna della Guardia
watched over the sapphire sea. ~.
I'm Paradise" she used to whisper to
herself. "They say that even those who
nave not sung on earth have voice given to
them. What Joy he would feel when it all
came back to him more golden and dear
than ever. How the saints would listen to
him-nnd the Madonna herself. Surely
she would smile and keep him near her. be-
cause he had suffered SO on earth! And the
s~ignorine-who was a boy, too, and had
so many boy friends on earth, perhaps
they surely would have known each other
because their mothers have Wept together.
But be would sing a%gain--he would sing
again." r..
As the yeart went by there were many in
teresting. stories Of Giovanni. 1t was told
in the Citta Vecchia that his voice had
become a wonder, and that he was becom-
ing famous among the masters who trained
voiceA and great things were prophesied of
him.. he WAS strong N well grown II
handsome as a picture, it was said. He
had sent a photograph of himself to
means averse to showing it to their ac-
quaintances n repeating what had been
said b" the people who knew what voices
were. ~ |M
And then came the time when he sang for
the first time in all opera. To the Citta
had sung in u great theater filed with
grand people and lights and iewels--little
Giovanni had always sung in the streets,
and been more than proud to bring home a
few francs. There had been wonderful
scenery on the ~stagecplaoss az tine an the
about acting and singing AZ it he had been
used to such thing always. And the people
had been wild with JOY and had apnlauded
and risen in their seats and thrown flowers
at his feet and called aloud his NAME.
And from that time his life was more
like u fairy story every day. II was the
gleat excitement OF the Citta Vecohia, and
BriRitta and Cola were q happy pair. They
need not work at all. They vera quite rich,
at least Giovanni, who was a good fellow
after all, in the midst OF his grandeur, sent
them plenty Of O for aii their simple
wants. 1t WAS delightful TO go out with
them just to hear their stories and discover
how grand the world was. Brigittn and
Cola always had plenty of visitors after
Giovannfs career began.
And evening those who dropped in TO
chat and drink u little wine comfortably,
found them wearing an air roverential and
triumphant. Theyshad just had Il new let
ter from Giovanni, who was i'll Rome.
'To-nteht," I~srigitta announced almost
breathlessly, this very night he is to sing
before the queen and the king! They have
asked II, n all the court will be there to
hear"
1t wastrue that on this night his audience