San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-09

OF mind common to Tuscans, together
with that amorous fire that ever burns
under their lightly worn MASK of seem
ing reserve.
| reused myself to appear interested.
Il see, Vincenzo," | said with a
kindly air of banter, "that the sight
of Lila Monti more than com
pensates you for that portion Of
the NeapOltan carnival which you lose
by being here. But why you should
wish me to behold this paragon of maid
dens know not, unless you would have
me regret my own lost youth"
A curious and perplexed expression
fitted over his face At last he. said
firmly, as though his mind were made
up,
The EcceIlonZa must pardon me for
seeing what perhaps | ought not to have
seen, but"
Bat what?" asked
"Eccellenza, you have not lost your
youth"
l turned my head towards him again
he was looking at me in some aIarm-he
feared some UutbursJ of anger.
"Woil.'' l said calmly. That is your
idea, is it? And why?"
''EycCllenZa, | saw you without your
spectaCleS that day when you fought with
the unfortunate SiGnor Ferr&ri. |
watched you when YOU fired Your eyes
are beautiful and terriJe-the eyes of
young man, though your hair is so
white"
Quietly | took off my glasses and laid
them on the table beside me.
''As you have seen me once without
them, you can see me again." observed
gently. Il wear them for a special pur-
pose. Here in AveIlino the purpose
does not hold. Thus far | COnfide in
you. But beware how you betray my
confidence.
"EcceIenza ~ cried Vincenzo in truly
panied accents, and with a grieved look.
There! | was wrong-forgive me.
You are honest; you have served your
country well enough TO know the value
of fidelity and duty. But when you say
have not lost my youth, you are wrong,
VincenZO! | have lost tit has been
killed within me by a great sorrow. The
strength, the supplenesS of limb, the
brightness of eye, these are mere out
ward things; but in the heart and soul
are the chill and drear bitterness of
deserted age. Nay, do not smile; | am
in truth very Old-so old that | tire of
my length of days; yet again, not too
old TO appreciate your affection, AMIGO,
and" here | forced a faint smile,
''whGn see the maiden Lila, | will tell
you frankly what think of her"
Vncenzo stopped his head, caught my
hand within his own, and kissed it, then
left the room abruptly, to hide the tears
that my words had brought to his eyes. |
He was sorry for me, | could see, and | |
judged him rightly when | thought that |
the very mystery surrounding me in |
creased his attachment. On the whole |
| was glad he had seen me undiSgused, |
as it was relief to me to be without my |
smoked glasses for u time, and during all |
the rest Of my stay at AvelinO | never [
wore them once.
One day | saw Lila. l had strOlled |
up to a quaint church situated on |
rugged hill and surrounded by fine old |
chestnut trees, where there was a pic |
ture of the SCOurging of Christ, said to |
have been the work of Fra Angelica. |
The little sanctuary was quite deserted |
when entered it, and | paused on the |
threshold, touched by the simplicity of |
the place, and sOOthed by the intense ST |
lenCe. | walked on tiptOe up to the cor |
ner whore hung the picture | had |
come to see, and as | did so a girl passed |
me with light step, carrying a basket |
of fragrant winter narcissi and maiden |
hair fern. Something in her graceful, |
noiselesS movements caused me TO look |
after her; but she had turned her back |
to me and was kneeling at the shrine |
consecrated to the Virgin, having placed |
her flowers on the lowest step of the |
altar. She was dressed in peasant cas- |
tume-a simple short blue skirt and scar
let bodice, relieved by the white kerr |
chief that was knOttGd about her |
shoulders; and round her small we'll
shaped head the rich chestnut hair was |
coledin thick shining braids.
| felt that | must see her face, and for |
that reason went back to the church |
door and waited till she should pass out |
Very soon she came towards me, with |
the same light, timid step that had be- |
fore noticed and her fair young features |
were turned fully upon me. What |
was there in those clear, candid |
eyes that made me invOluntarily bow |
my head in a reVerenCial sautation as