Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-09-05

wasted. spoke with LILA often on In
different matters that Interested her, and
watched her constantly when she was oil
unaware Of my observant gaze. With
mo she was as frank and fearless as
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 oil these little signs
/ knew her mind, rs 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 a little anxious Was anything
wrong with the service? ! treasured
her housewifely scruples, and came to
the point at once.
~ 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 have" she replied with a
wistful sadness; "but / have prayed,
perhaps fooishly, that she would not
leave me YET. l love her so well; she Is
always babe to me. so small and sweet!
/ put the thought Of her marriage from
me as q sorrowful thing"
II understand your feeling" said.
''Still suppose your daughter welded
man who would DO TO you as
son, and who would not part her from
you?-ior instance, let us say Vim
cenZo?"
Signora Monti smiled through her
tears.
"vincenzo! He is good lad very
good lad. and love him; but he does
not think OF Lilla-he is devoted TO the
Eccellenza-"
~ am aware OF his devotion" ans
swered. "Still believe you will find
out soon that he loves your Lila. At
present he says nothing-he fears to
offend you and alarm her; but his eyes
speak-so do hers. You are o good
woman, good mother; watch them both,
YOU will soon tell whether love is be-
tween them or no. And see," here
handed her q sealed envelope, Sin this
YOU will find notes to the amount OF four
thousand francs" She uttered q little
cry of amazement at is Lilla's dOwry
whoever she marries, though i think she
will marry VincenZo 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-
20, he IL an excellent fellow. And all /
ask of you is, that you keep this little
dowry secret till the day OF your lair
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 q
Roman matron; her broad bosom heaved
and her strong voice Quivered with sup
pressed emotion.
II 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 special blessing
OF God sent through yonr hands, and
should be unworthy OF all prosperity
were not grateful. Eccellenza, pardon
me. but my eyes are quick to see that
you have suffered sorrow. Good actions
tighten grief! We will pray for your
happiness, Lila and l, till the last breath
leaves our lips. Believe 1.-THE name OF
our benefactor shall be lifted to the
saints night and morning. and who
knows but good may come OF it!'
smiled family.
.'Good will come Of 1t, my excellent
signora, though ON all unworthy OF
your prayers. Rather pray" and l
sighed heavily, "for the dead, that they
NAV be loosed from their SINS"
The good woman looked at me with a
sort of kindly pity mingled with awe,
then murmuring once more her thanks
and blessings, she left the room. A few
! minutes afterwards Vincenzo entered, l
addressed him cheerfully.
absence is the best test OF love, Vim
cenzo; prepare all for our departure.
We shall leave Avellino the day after to-
| morrow"
And so we did. Lila looked slightly
downcast, but Vlncenzo seemed satisfied,
and 1 augured from their faces, and
from the mysterious smile OF SiRnOra
Monti that ell was going we'll. Ileft
the beautiful mountain town with
regret, knowing / should SEQ
II no moro. / touched Lilla's fair
cheek lightly at parting, and took what
/ knew was my last look into the sweet
candid face. Yet the consciousness that
/ had done some little good gave my
tired heart q sense Of satisfaction and
repose-a feeling had not experienced
since died and rose again from the
dead.
On the last day of January returned
TO Naples, after an absence OF more than
month, and was welcomed back by
all my numerous acquaintance with
enthusiasm. The Marquis D'Avencourt
had informed me rightly--the affair Of
duel was thing Of the past, an almost
forgotten circumstance. The carnival
was in full riot; the streets were scenes
Of fantastic mirth and revelry; there was
music and song, dancing and masquerad-
ing, and feasting. But l Withdrew from
mud ahoOrleO