The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-09-25

vhaf IRE ssfe cernlu 20 Geep health In
the body and peace In the mind? Could
I not help him to his happiness, won
dered2 I, who had grewn stern with
long brooding upon my vengeance
could l not aid In bringing JOY to others?
N could, my mind would be somewhat
liehtened of its burdens burden
grown heavier since Guido's death, for
from his blood had sprung forth Q new
group of Furies, that dashed me on to
nv task with scorpion whips OF re-
doubled wrath and passionate ferocity.
Yet IL could do one good action
now-would 1t not be as a star shining
in the midst Of my souls storm and
darkness! Just then Lila laughed-how
sweetlyl--the laugh Of very young
child. What amused her now2 / looked,
and saw that she had taken the axe
from Vincenzo, and lifting it in her
little hands was endeavouring bravely 10
initiate his strong and telling stroke; he
meanwhile stood aside with an air OF
smiling superiority. mingled with good
deal of admiration for the slight active
figure arrayed in the blue kirtle and
scarlet bodice, on which the warm rays
of the late sun fell with so much
amourous tenderness Poor little Lfllai
A penknife would have made as much
impression as her valorous blows pro-
duced on the inf,exible, gnarled, knotty
old stump she essayed to split in
twain. Flushed and breathless with her
efforts, she looked prettier than ever,
and at last, baffied, she resigned the axe
to VincenZo, laughing gaily at her In
capacity for wood cutting, and daintily
shaking her apron free from the chips
and dust, till a call from her mother
caused her to run swiftly into the house,
leaving Vincenzo working away as ardu-
ously as ever. / went up to him; he saw
me approaching, and paused in his
labours with an air of slight embarrass-
ment
"You like this sort of work, amIco?' l
said gently.
IAN old habit, Eccellenza-nothing
more. 1t reminds me Of the days of my
youth, when / worked for my mother.
All! pleasant place 1t was-the old
home Just above Fiesole." His eyes
grew pensive and sad. at is all gone
now-finished. That was before be-
came a soldier. But one thinks OF it
sometimes"
~ 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. mot to leave
me? Not If you welded Lila MONTH"
His olive cheek flushed, but he shook
his head.
"Impossiblel She would not listen to
me- She is 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 q
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.
"Eccellanza, 1 would as soon tear the
Madonna from her affairs as vex or
brighten Lillsp'
smiled and said no more, but turned
into the house. From that moment l
resolved to let this little love-idyll have
q fair chance of success Therefore
remained at Avellino- much longer
than / had at first intended-not
| for my own sake but for Vincen-
eos. He served me faithfully,
he should have his reward. i 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 a
tame robin: but after some days l 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
/ 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? i treasured
her housewifely scruples, and came &c
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 filed with tears
and her lips quivered.
Truly 1 have" she replied with q
wistful sadness; "but / have prayed
perhaps foolishly, that she would not
leave me YET l love her so well; she !:
always babe to me, so small and sweet
/ put the thought of her marriage from
me as a sorrowful thing"
II understand your feeling" said
ssStill suppose your daughter welded q
man who would be to you as g
son, and who would not part her from
you?-for instance, let US say Vim
cenzo?"
Signora Monti smiled through hel
tears.
"Vincenzo! He is good lad a very
good lad, and 1 love him; but he doe:
not think of Lilla-he is devoted to thu
Eccellenza
81 am aware of his DEVOTION" /. ans
swered. "Stik believe you will fine
out soon that he loves your Lila A
present he says nothing-he fears Il
offend you and alarm her; but his eye
speak-so do hers, You are goot
woman, good mother; watch them both
| you will soon tell whether love is be
tween them or no. And see," here
handed her a sealed envelope, sin thi!
you will find notes to the amount OF foul
thousand francs" She uttered littl,
cry of amazement at is Lilla's dowr,
whoever she marries, though think sh,
will marry Vincenzo. Nay, no thanks
money is of no value to me; and this i
the one pleasure ! have had for many
weary months Think we'll of Vincen
20. he l. an excellent fellow. And all
ask Of you is, that you keep this littl,
dowry q secret till the day Of your fai
child's espousals."
Before / could prevent her the enthu
!: siastic woman had seized my hand ant