The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-06-05

CONE AND SPEAK To THIS GENTLEMAN
lie KNEW YOUR PAPA.
Come and speak to this gentleman-he
knew your papa"
At this word her eyes frightened, her
small steps grew more assured and
steady-she advanced and put her tiny
hand in mine. The touch of the soft,
uncertain little fingers almost unnamed
me. drew her towards me and lifted
her on my knee. Under pretence of
kissing her, hid my face for a second
or two in her clustering fair curls, while
| forced back the womanish tears that
involuntarily filled my eyes. My poor
little darling! l wonder now how /
maintained my set composure before
the innocent thoughtfulness of her
innocent questioning gaze! l had
fancied she might possibly be scared by
the black spectaCleS | wore,-childreG
are frightened by such things sometimes
but she was not. No; she sat on nv
knee with an air of perfect satisfaction,
though she looked at me so earnestly as
almost to disturb my Self-possesSion.
Nina and Ferrari watched her with
some amusement, but she paid no heed
to them,-she persisted in staring
at me. Suddenly a slow sweet
smile, - the tranquil smile of a
cOntented baby, dawned all over
her face; she extended her little
arms, and, of her own accord, put up her
lips TO kiss me! Half startled at this man
Hesitation of affection, hurriedly caught
her to my heart and returned her caress.
then looked furtiyely at my wife and
Guido. Had they any suspicion? No!
why should they have any? Had not
Ferrari himself seen me buried? Reas-
sured by this thought addressed myself
to Stella. making my voice as gratingly
harsh as | could. for l dreaded the child's
quick instinct.
'Hou are very charming little lady!'
said playfully. "And so your name is
Stella? That is because you are little
star, l SUPPOSED"
She became meditative. Papa said
l was" she answered softly and shyly.
Papa spoilt your interposed Nina,
pressing a tilmy black bordered handker-
chief to her eyes. Poor papa! You
were not so naughty to him as you are to
me-"
The child's lip quivered, but she was
silent.
''Oh, fie!' / murmured half chidingIy.
"Are you ever naughty? Surely not!
All little stars are good-they never CRY
they are always bright and calm
Still she remained mute-a sigh, deep
enough for an older sufferer, heaved her
tiny breast She leaned her head against
my arm and raised her eyes appealingIy.
Have You seen my papa?" she asked
timidly. "Will he come back soon?''
For moment did not answer her.
Ferrari took it upon himself TO reply
Don't talk nonsense, baby! You know
your papa has gone away-you were toe |
naughty for him, and he will never come |
back again. He has gone TO a place !
where there are no tireSome little girls |
10 tease him"
ThOughtless and cruel words! l at
)nce understood the secret grief that
weighed on the child'S mind. Whenever
'he was fretful or petulant, they evil
iently impressed upon her that her father
lad left her because of her naughtiness.
She had taken this deeply to heart: no
ioubt she had brooded upon it in her
'ague childish fashion, and had
puzzled her little brain as to what
he could possibly have done to dis
please her father so greatly that he had
lctually gone away, never to return.
Whatever her thoughts were, she did not
IN this occasion give vent to them by
ears or words. She only turned her
yes on Ferrari with look of intense
ride and Scorn. strange to see in so lit
lie a creature-a true ROmani look. such
S l had often noticed in my fathers
yes, and such as knew must be fire.
uently visible in my own. Ferrari saw
!. and burst oat laughing loudly.
"There!" he exclaimed. Like that
he exactly resembles her father! 1t is
oSitively ludicrous! Fabio
Il over! She only wants one tLing to
lake the portrait perfect" And ap- I
reaching her, he snatched one Of her (
1ng curls and endeavored to twist it
yer her mouth in the form of NOUS ,
ache. The child struggled angrily, and
i'd her face against my coat. The more
be tried to defend herself, the greater ,
be malice with which Ferrari tormented ,
er. Her mother did not interfere-she
My laughed. l held the little thing ,
Iosely sheltered in my embrace, and :
teadying down the culver of Indignation y,
! my voice, l said with quiet firmness-
Fair play, Signor! Fair play!
trength becomes mere bullying when it
employed against absolute weakness"
Ferrari laughed again, but this time
neasily, and ceasing his monkeyish {
ranks, walked to the window. Smooth I
lS Stela's tumbled hair, l added with G
sarcastic smile Z
TINS little donzella will have her re- c
enge when she grows up. Recollecting i
ow one man teaSed her in childhood, q
ne, in retun, will consider herself justi- I
ed in teasing all men. Do you not ,
gree with me, Madame?" / said, turn !,
lg to my wife, who gave me a sweetly :
1Quettish look as she answered.
''Well really, Conte, do not know! ..
or with the remembrance of one man
no teased her, must come also the L
fought of another who was kind to her l
will find it difficult to .
ecide the juste milieu."
A subtle compliment was meant to be
,nveyed in these words-I acknowledged
BIZ silent gesture of admiration, :