The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-10-29

nOthinRs squeezing aud kissing their hands. and
promising future meetings. Then cur gOu-
doIier. seeming TO think we had gone far
enough, dropped astern and alongside
another.
This happened several times, but when he
tried IL the last time, we all held on 50 tight
that he reiuquishcd his efforts aud concluded
% Jet Us alone. The occupants Of this last boat
were evidently Of the better class, for though
entering into our peasautrios they kept as on
our good behavior; 80, beyond murmurcd words
aud few hand squcezes, we had made little
progress, when another boat, in which were a
couple OF drunken r0Wdics roughly came up on
the other side, aud with some words, Of which /
did not catch the real meaning. hut from the
tone Of the voice and manner, took 10 be in
suiJiHg, attempted 10 enter their boat.
Without thought rs 10 the probable consc-
quences, i sprang into the boat, and with
blow that made his teeth rattle sent one
sprawling back where he belonged. The other
fellow Immediately lO0acned his hold of the
boat, and the rover with quick stroke
ELUDED PUEsUIT,
and disappeared mingling with the crowd.
This took place 30 quickly and in the semi
light, that il was hardly noticed by the boats
around us. The fellows evidently meant 10
rob, aud wore not 50 drunk they appeared.
/ However, their attempt had served TO give Us
chance 10 make q footing with the party AT
once solid aud from distant strangers 70 de-
/ Tenders WAS a long step. None could cayil now
4 10 our cOuycrsnP OF a. our remaining beside
them, for what possibilities Of robbers had IL not
4 TevcalUdY
Retiring with modesty 10 my own boat, our
pleasant conversations were renewed, only on a
| more frank basis. ] was permitted 10 hold the
hand that before ! had hardly dare touch. The
] lady 10 whom was talking gave me her name
| as Lucetia; said the other two were her cousins I;
that she WAS acting rs the chapcrone, they haV-
/ iug been separated from their own party a. they
came through the RaltO. She gave me an ad-
dress At which ! could call. il / wished, but
saw mischief! in her eye, aud knew that il was
. SELL ior such thing would be impossible in
| Italy.
She was the prettiest Italian had ever met,
and had seen very many beauties. Perhaps
the surroundings cast glamOr over my senses,
but by moonlight she WAS simply adorable.
Leaning back on Tie cushions, she looked The
queen.
During al those little side issues we were
not by aEy mCsus forgetting the novelty and
beauty Of thc surroundings. We had driitcd
until the
LIGHTS or THE CITY
were behind as. The music on tho pavilion
still kept ON, and the many colOred lights aud
fireworks threw long glistcuiug tracks out Oyel
the waters Ul the Adriatic. As we had reached
W ttN NiiA f'f-A-AH NAiN khhNNiao aeN W. s.4AN
a circle about the music instead Of long pro
cesson, aud the rOwcrs were now resting on
their OARS. The music ceased, aud over thi
water the clear notes 81 a rich cOutralt0 voic'
rang out in a song 10 the Sea aud His Bride.
Gently pressing my hand. Lucctta murmured
Till we meet againl" aud then, with quicl
command 60 the gondolcT. they sped away dis
appearing amid the multitude of now rapidly
retrcatlnR boats. il was % the hotel, with n
and all too soon. The gay thrOng had dispersed
, the songs OF the g0ndolicrs and the moonligh
{ were all that remained.
g The following day was our last. aud was ais
c either Sunday or sOme holy day, for every on