The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-12-03


she talked Phil saw it all, even though
he appeared to be otherwise engaged
When at length the easel was set and he
had taken the crayon in his hand, he was
trembling, positively trembling, for all his
light words
The signor will like the left side of my
face best, remarked Carolina as she turn
ed in profile 1T is often so, am told. :"
With you, said Phil, lit does not mat
ter, and content with the girls own pose,
he set to work
He worked for an hour, and then threw
down the crayon, and drew chair close to
the girl
Tell me, he said, about yourself
With whom do You live, and do you wish
to pass your life in this little island ?"
Carolina folded her hands in her lap,
with Phil's permission, took another cigar
ette, and answered his inquiries.
1T has been asked of me before, signor
There was large German gentleman, with
beard down so low (she put her hand
To her waist, ':and he was 50 interested in
me that he visited the house, and drank
the wine of my fathers own pressing, out
of our own cups. He was 50 'Simpatico
and when | had sat to him three days
only think, signor-he desired me in mar
riage.
Phil started.
Desired you in marriage-and you,
what did you say, Carolina p
oh, signor, he was an old man-fifty
and my mother she laughed And
when he heard the laugh the gentleman
went away, pulling at his beard which was
gray, and he left Capri by the next steam
er. 1t was so droll But have not an
swered the signors kind questions. My
father is Giacomo Cert, and we have a
little white cottage under Anacapri, where
| was born and my three other little sisters.
Is that what the the signor wishes to know
oime?
Thank you, Carolina
Master Phil strobe twice up and down
the room with his hands deep in his peck
cts. The girl thrust her head from the
window and exchanged few merry words
in dialect with one of the hotel servants in
the garden.
"Carolina r
''Yes signor.'
'Here are the ten francs for to-day. [
shall not work any more until tomorrow. y
''Oh, but it is very short day do
not deserve so much money for so little
time"
"Oblige me by taking it-and to-mor
row, at the same time
With charming shrug Of her pretty
shoulders aud then 4 sort of curtsey. the
girl then took the money and smiled her
self away.
When she was gone Phil continued to
walk about, without casting so much as u
glance at the canvas. This lasted half an
hour, and then he snatched up his hat and
wandered forth, he cared not whittier.
To Mr. Brabazon and one or two Others
who got wind of it, Phil's attachment
seemed quite matter of course. 1t be
came an attachment after the second sitting.
The young man resisted it so long. Then
he told Carolina that she was the desire of
his heart, and that he would never wed any
one but herself
The girl tried to dissuade him from
being so much in earnest.
"fou will soon forget me, signOr, when
you return to Naples she said. But
Phil protested that it would not, could not
be, The very innocence of her attempt to
play the part of Angel of Prudence for him
did but the more increase his infatuation.
Iustead of having her sit for him and
his paint brushes, he took her here and
there about the island He hired boat
on purpose, and kept it in nook under
the headland CapOcehia. Carolina gave
herself up to the pleasures of the moment,
like the true Southerner she was. She
even yielded to his urgings that she should
call him by his Christian name. "Filipo
mio" sounded wonderous sweet on those
pretty lips of hers.
At the hotel he made coniidant of Mr..
Brabazon. This gentleman, though he
made light of the affair, yentured on the
whole to advise Phil not to go too far.
But" protested the young man, "did
you not say it is often done? Who is
that rich Englishman that lives by Anaca-
pri with Capri woman for wife? And
there are others in Naples. Why, bless
my soul, | think there is no comparison
between Carolina and any other girl in the
world y
"Quite so, l don't deny it. But remem-
ber what she is. Her parents are not
wholly the simple rustics you might fancy.
You have given the girl presents-forgive
my alluding to them; these are so much
property. The old folks know her beauty
won't last forever :.
"Mr. Brabazonl7 exclaimed Phil, much
shocked
But the other merely laughed and nodd
ed
1T is the way of the world of Capri.
he said. "Remember this is the island of
the sirens
"Oh. confound those old legends I'm