The Portland daily press., 1893-11-07

Then appeared and disappeared, success
sively, groups of children, who went along
holding hands and singing; a butchers
boy, who carried the Yncrning orders III a
wooden box on his shoulders and spec
tacled lady with languid eyes, and finally
she recognized a gentleman, a lawyer re-
tired from business, who passed every day
at this hour, leading little child by the
hand who went to an ecclesiastical insti-
tute not far from there.
1t seemed to her that it would not be
disagreeable to make known her trouble to
his father of a family. To spare herself
, the embarrassment of confession she
took step and bent forward as if she
sought to disentagle herself, and when he
was near she turned her head back as if
she was distressed over the uselessness of
her efforts. which obliged the gentleman to
approach her eagerly.
Don't tear your dress, signora; ring the
bell.'
He rang, but he pulled the rope timidly,
with the discretion of well educated and
pioGs man accustomed to moderation
Then, with smile, word of hope, he dis
appeared for fear of being late with the lit
tie urchin.
Laborers now passed on their way to work
If one had gone by alone, Ginevra might
have confided in him, but as they passed in
company she feared their jokes
After they had gone she stamped her
foot with rage. What world! Inhabited
by so few people whom she could ask to
stretch out their arms to aid her.
Heaven wished without doubt to punish
her for this very philosophical but too ma
lignant reflection against her neighbors, be-
cause from this moment nobody came
along, and during long quarter of an
hour she followed, with a sad look, the quick
movements of dog hurrying after a
bit of meat or frisking with the other
dogs, and a pigeon, which, with an air Of
tranquil liberty, walked along the middle
of the street.
The mass must be finished. Her anxiety
clearly showed her the hurried gestures Of
the last part-the publication, the benedic-
ton of the priest, the rising to the feet for
the last gospel. While she wiped the gath
ering tear from the corner of her eye her
fixed look did not abandon the angle of the
sidewalk, where at any momen5 the three
largest scholars at the head of the column
might appear. And if they did surprise
her there, a prisoner, what outbursts of
laughter. what bantering, what ridiculous
legends, would attach to her person in flu
turel
She felt relieved. and Gained herself when
black point appeared at the fatal angle
and then detached itself from the wall, and
she recognized a masculine form, an arm
that moved in regular time long and agile
limbs that seemed to fly over the ground at
every step.
The man was soon near her, showing
himself at every step youthful, fair and ele-
CANT He was passing unconscious Of her
presence, when he heard a call.
"Signor, signorl Excuse me, signorr'
He turned quickly, raised his cap and
took two or three steps with the submissive
and respectful air of a man in good society
who puts himself at the command Of lady,
then waited, not knowing very well whas
she wished Of him.
Ginevra explained to him with three mo-
nosyllables and with little timid gesture;
then he drew the bellrope.
He rang with firm hand; with calcu-
lated slowness. The glasses did not trem.
BILE; the building was not shaken to the
foundations. Instead Thousand slight
vibrations, thousand subtle percussions
of the bell would give the alarm to ALL
| After this undertaking hs remained near
her, firm as defender.
II have been very fortunate, signora, not
to have made you wait for me too long,
"Signor," answered Ginevra quickly, sin
a moment l shall have been here a half
hour'-
The young man uttered an exclamation
of surprise. ''Oh, is it SO? You seem numb
ought to pass here every morning at s
precisely. If had only imagined! How
shameful my delay''-
Ginevra did not answer. She recovered
from her boarding school timidity, how
ever, in presence of this gracious and pleas
ant young man. Seeing her embarrass-
ment, he became silent again. and for few
moments that were mortally long she felt
his two great eyes fixed on her attentively,
in which were reflected a little amazement
and some hidden intent.
| But, as if this liberator was the only per-
son delayed the spell was broken inside
| the house. A noise was heard, and soon
after the heavy door turned on it's hinges,
opened by very busy little domestic with
clothesbrush in her hand.
The two young people made profound
bow Paulo Lafargue, who was destined
for the law and was studying in the office
of famous notary, went off to his work
and Ginevra FASTENED to play scales on the
piano.
From this day on the mistress Of the
school had a great deal to do. A wolf, a
| terrible wolf, came prowling around the
flock. Although he was not yet permitted
the least little attack and limited himself
to distant recognition, yet he began to oc-
casion great alarm. Each demanded anx-
iously what victim had been chosen, until,
at last, he veAtured to salute Ginevra.
1t was q grave scandal. AS the pursuit
continued and was renewed every day at
mass or on the walk, the girl passed
| through all the successive gradations of
fear and of shame until the moment in
which she was accused Of maintaining in
teiligence with the enemy.
| But she was INDICATED when Paulo La
| fargue, an orphan and rich, demanded her
hand. After mature reflection, his demand
was granted, but not before notifying him
that he sought frivolous creature who had
no taste for teaching.
Nothing was more just than this angelic
estimate, which was verified by the joyous
surprise of Ginevra and by the love that
she suddenly dedicated to her Paulo.
| And this is why, when any one spoke in
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