New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-14
PIETRO GHlSLERl.
CVFVtS"t' fo".' "5
CHAPTER XV.
BY r. MARION CRAWFORD.
Author OF ''Saracmesca." "Thc Three Fa'cs'' e'c'
! Copyright 1892 by Moemi'ton q Co.

r-st Copyright 1892, BY Mocmilton & Co.
CHAPTER XIV.
When Ghisleri was at last able TO 60 out OF
The house his first visit to Maddaena dell
Armi. He had written a line to say that he was
canning, and she expected him. The meeting was
. strange one, for both felt at first the COLI
straint of their mutual position. Ghisleri looked
q her face, which had been so hard when ne
had last seen it, and he saw that 1t had soitened.
There were no signs Of suffering, however anu
. her expression was almost as placM as his own
He raised her hand TO his lips and sat dowh
euoosite TO her. Then the light fell on his
tsx and she saw how changed he was. She
remembered how he had looked when she had
seen him after he was wounded, and she saw
that he was almost as pale now as them anu
Shat he Wis thin almost to emac'ation
sAre Won really growing strong again = she
asked in a tone of anxiety. ~,
~Yes indeed" he answered, with q smile
feel az though I were quite wcii-a niue s"i'
and weak, perhaps. but that Will sopn p"ss'
Ana vou-how have YOU spent your nme III
All these weeks since last saw you?
every much as usual replied Maddaiena' an'.
suddenly weary look came into her eyes ~
von care 20 know-as long as you were rcaiiv III
danger did not 60 out. Then went e'ery""''e
again. and tried to amue myself
n sneak cheerfully There had been something
Ssss. ~ MadI,lena's tone which shocked
and panied him. 40,
sMore or less. Why do sou ask me 'na'
"Because I am Interested" ..
.Do Won carr for me in the least-in any way r"
she asked abruptly.
"You know that do
"Vow should know ii p
Ghjsleri did not reply at once, for the question
was not easily answered. Maddalena wai'eu Ill
silence until he should speak.
.pcrhans YOU are right" he said at last. lou
have no means of knowing it. and have no means
~ nrovinc IT, Dearest lady. since we have DOM
chanped so much, do you not THINK you cou'"
believe a little in my friendship
ave ought 70 be friends-you should be my
best friend
II mean 20 be- il You will let me-
A long silence followed. Maddalena sat quite
.tiIl leaning back in a corner of the sofa ana
ic5aSns at picture on the opposite wall Ghisieri
AT uprioht on a chair at little distance from
her. =.
ayou ssv Won will he nv friend if l will let
vou.s she said slowly, after several minutes.
sFvpn II Won could imagine that conld not
wish il, You ought to be my best irehd JUST ',e
same II ! made you suffer every hour OF tic
dav as did on that last night you ousht 10
hear it, and never have one unRlnd thous"' oi
we No. do not answer me Vet have much more
A. nav. You know that / have always told you
tust what have felt, when have told you any
thing about myself l was very unhappy when
We met at that ball-or, rather wien we parteo
$50 unhappy that hardly knew what said.
}oucht 10 have waited and thought before spoke
II could have guessed that you were 10 ne
wounded-wel, il is of no use now am very
very fonl of you. In spite OF everything, II you
felt the least love for me STILL however little
would say Let us be we were, as long as II
can last As it is
She paused and looked at him. lie knew what
she meant. II there a spark of love, she
would forget everything and take him back on
any terms. For a moment the old struggle was
VIOLENTLY resumed in his heart. Ought he not, for
her sake, 10 pretend love- and to live out his life
~ best he could in the letter Of devotion ii not
I'm the true spirit of love? Or would not such
an attempt necessarily be failure, and bring
her more and more unhappiness with each month
and year? lie only hesitatcd for an instant while
che paused then he determined to say nothing.
That was really the turning-pont in Pietro
Ghisleri's life.
As it is" continued Maddalena, a little I'M
steadily, but with brave effort, nothing but
friendship is possible. Let it at least be a true
and honest friendship which neither Of need
your way, and will go mine, 50 far as the rest
n concerned If you love Lady Herbert, marry
her, il she will have you, when her mourning is
over"
EI do not love Lady Herbert at ALL" said
Gdlisleri with perfect truth.
Il -Well-if YOU should, or any other woman.
Let the world say what it will, it cannot invent
anything worse than it has said of me already.
You owe me nothing-nothing but tlat-to be a
true friend to me always, as will be to you as
long az live"
She put out her hand aud he took it and
pressed il. As she felt his, the bright tears
started TO her eyes.
What is it'7 he asked tenderly bending
toward her as lie spoke.
sNothing," she answered hastily. "Your hand
4 . ohin-how foolish of me. suppose YOU will
grew 70 he as strong as evcr?'
He saw how sire still loved him. in spite OF all.
IL was not too late now TO renew the comedy,
but bis resolution had grown strong and unaltera-
BILE In few moments
"Ysu are much too good to me-" he said softly.
~ have not deserved it-but wiz try to-"
DE not let us speak of all this more for the
present." she replied. Since we are friends. let
NJ talk Of other things. as friends do
=, u was not easy. but Ghiseri did his best. feel
,,,as that the effort must DE made sooner later
I'D had therefore best be made at once. He kept
y;p The conversation for nearly half an hour, and
sonen rose to Co.
., Are you not very tired ?' asked Maddaena.
psnxiously.
mot at all. am much stronger than look. =
sIndeed hope you are.' she answered looking
1t him sadly. "Gcodby. Come soon again.
Yes. will come very soon"
Ghixleri went out and had himself driven about
Che city for an hour in the bright spring weather
u ives ell new to him now, and he looked at pco
pie end things with sort of interes; he had long
foYGotteu TO feel A few of his acquaintance re-
sognissd him at once, and waved their hats 10 him
II they CHANGED 70 be men. made pretty gestures
With their hands if they were women But the
greater number did not know him at first. and
atar.d after the deatb-like face and the palnt