Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-29


that he had created masterpiece. For |
him the statue meant fame and fortune.
A carriage had rolled down the narrow |
street and stopped before the old palazzo. |
They had not heard IL. But now there was |
a sound Of footsteps in the marble corridor |
and an imperious knock At the outer door. |
"Some one Is comingf' said Zenobia.
Antonio had grown very pale He knew |
the footstep only too we'll
"Go quickly, my darling" he said, kiss
ing her hastily and almost pushing her to
ward the panel.
Il closed behind her with click. II was
not a moment too soon, for a small gloved
hand swept aside tho portieres and the
visitor entered the studio unannounced.
Zenobia herself was not more lovely than
this naughty, dark eyed patrician, whose
charms were enhanced by the richness and
beauty OF her toilet.
Antonio milo, she exclaimed in a rich,
musical voice. II surprise you moment
en- PEASANT Am | not aniableT
"Comtessa," ne stammered, bowling low
over her jeweled fingers 'you-at this hour
~ had not eXpected'--
"Ah, no pass from concert to a re
ception at the duchessa's But how you
look--and 70 pale, 50 stranger
"l-I am q little ed-nervous-I have
been working"
"At your stiGueS Well, how does it pro
gress-the masterpieceY | shall be glad
when il ia finished. One secs you no
where. And this charming idyl-this ideal
love affair with your pretty model; it was
to hear The next chapter that came today.
1t amuses me, this little love comedy, since
am not jealous
She threw herself laughing upon the
cushions Of "A diyan. She was directly op-
posite the panel OF carved wood
"Dammi Ia storia, Tonio,T she cried in
a tone a. once a raillery and a cares, "the
romance am dying TO hear it."
Antonio's face was livid. lie was in an
agony of fear. lie lost his head completely.
"Comtessa." he said desperately, 81 have
n favor TO ask, to beg Of you. Let us con
verse in French. "
"In French2 What a strange fancyi"
Il implore you. u
1--WE have never conversed together in
foreign tongue. Can we perhaps be heardy
Walls, they shy, have ears, but they can
not repeat"
"Giuglia, If you love me, grant my re-
quest"
1T is not by yielding TO your foolish
whims, that | show my love" she replied.
Tell me Your reason"
"Giuglia. are not my entreaties'--
~ will be slave 20 no mans caprioes"
she retorted 81 will speak ia Italian, as
have always spoken''--
She stopped abruptly. A slight noise
startled them both. The countess sprang
TO her feet, superb in her indignation.
"rhere is some one listening
are hiding some one, she cried.
With ga effort Antonio recovered his self
control.
"Tilere Is no one. he said coldiy. IN
you doubt ms you have bot 90 search the
studio"
She bad risen from the divan and stood
before him with tbs commanding air Of a
queen Tho mantle Of crimson plush
trimmed with costly sablez. slipped from
her superb shoulders and fell 20 the floor
at her fceI
Her eyes softened. with gesture Of
passionate abandon she flung her arms
around him. Six short months ago be had
adored her Now. at the touch Of those
beautiful, clinging arms GOODNESS as Of
death fell upon his heart This embrace
might part him from zenobia forever.
A little later the Comtessa Giuglia left
him. Her visit had lasted but a short half
hour A moment en- passsant. but it had
huuACtu 10 CRUSH iUftfNI "A xiii = nSiAfts
Antonio few to the panel and songht to
, openit IL was fastened from the inside
He called zenobia's name, supplicated her
to open it. There was no answer In de
spair he rushed into the corridor, descend
ed to the street and FASTENED to the dool
which communicated with the secret stair
case. II stood wide open Zenobia haC
gone
For the first time he realized what Zen
oba had been to him. He was satisfied
a with amours and oonquests among tn
women OF fashion and their artificial pas
sions. Tho pure, strong true love OF hi
i young girl had given him new life-fresl
inspirations. Had he lost her farever2
lover grasps eagerly at the slenderes
> chance for hope. She would return, b
\ told himself repeatedly She would return
IL but TO eprOach him. And then--ah, h
\ would confess everything.
!, He could not rest in his studio. He wen
: 10 her lodgings She had not returned
= lie thought that instinct might have LEI
i her 20 her old place on the steps Of tn
I cathedral and hastened thither. He foun
there only Stina, who said:
"Surely, Signor Antonio, it is you VIII
II ought TO know best where this shy bird ha
\ taken shelter"
= All day he wandered about the city seel
4 ing for her everywhere. The sun was SCI
= ting when weary, discouraged. heartsicl
y he returned home On the threshold {
his studio he paused for moment, closin
= his eyes as though in pain, and leane
heavily against the door A thought cam
i. 70 him II Zenobia had returned-if sh
7 awaited him here. He entered impetuoui
!, ~. The lamps were not yet lighted.
n "Zenia-Zeniar' he called softly, gropin
n his way forward. Then all at once a te
1, rible cry broke from his lips.
The place where the statue had stoo
was empty.
y Upon the floor, broken in thousau
~ marble fragments, his masterpiece lay
ruins.
The doves flew westward beneath tn
ne evening skies, accompanying their frien
TO the outskirts Of the city, and parte
NJ from her lingeringly, returning 70 thesteI
nj Of the cathedral Zenobia, crushed wit
IN anguish, went biindly onward, her hea
M as cold as death, while in her brain, whiC
~ seemed on fire, one thought struggle
through the cloud Of fever which alread
u, possessed her, to reach Xeres-to die
~ Did she ever see again the sunny soil
cb Spain, or did her fragile strength forsal
~ her on the wayY
4 On the banks OF the old Tiber there is
al nameless grave, shaded by dusky foliag
famed by soft zephyrs, watered often
liz warm tears from the heecy clouds as tn,
float by-a grave, not wholly forgotte
for the faithful doves flock hither at eve
bo tide and COO Henohia's requiem. Tran
+N -. n. nj