The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-10-13

bald spot on rs Eea- -5r ner maternil
blessing. And then they would have to
tell-or rather to ask-the father. He
scratched his head little neryously at
this thought and wished the ordeal were
over, yet he would get through some
how and carry it off, with whatever IN,
SEPARATION the moment should bring
He was dressed in his very best and
would have given much to wear his arti-
fetal leg for the occasion. He would
have liked to appear as a Whole man
walking at her side tonight.
1t was just merging into twill hit
when he approached the shop. and the
family sat. as usual. about the doors.
IAN where's LottieY" he asked as he
joined the circle.
He had never called for her in thin
way before, but he was too near the
edge of things tonight to care to think
''C'lotta ees-a just now gone oud-a
walk weeth Giuseppe Rubino. Sid down,
Meester Pad" And the signor;l lifted
pushed it toward him.
He sat down, but lie was uneasy.
After little while. during which. the
signora afterward said. he had never
been more lively or more witty. he rose
and left them.
For the last three Saturday evenings
Carlotta had been out with Giuseppe
when he came, but he had thought moth
ing specially of it. But tonight! Had she
not remembered? Did she not realize
that today meant much to him-and to
her? He wG'.ld pass the hour until he
should be sire to find her at home in his
favorite retreat on the river bank alone
There would be no demand upon him
here. and he could get himself together
again, for he WAS keenly hurt.
As he left the Di Carlos he could not
see that two Den-Sicilians they were
who stood together in the shadow of the
wall across the way moved slowly after
him until he stopped the car, when. quick
ening their PAGES, they also jumped
aboard. one seating himself within. while
the other passed out to the platform with
the driver. Neither could he know when
he crossed the wharf that these two men
watched and by separate routes followed
him at distance as he disappeared
among the shadows between the piles of
freight along the pier.
The river was high. and when he
reached his accustomed seat the floating
wharf. which was chained to the heavy
timbers. attracted him. He had never
been down here. but pair of hanging
steps invited the folly of his descent to-
night, and he had soon hobbled down
and seated himself on the inner edge of
the raft and thus within the shadow of
the pier above. 1t pleased his mood to
get thus near the turbulent. restless wa
tiers for awhile.
To sit in little black shadow while
be waited for Carlotta to come home
with Giuseppe suited him tonight, while
the booming, swelling. restless river that
lifted him upon its bosom and seemed
threatening to subnerge everything was
typical of his love.
His thoughts had hardly begun to cool
and shape themselves when, first vague
ly. as at a distance, and now nearer
clearer. came the sound of an accordion
On summer evenings almost anywhere
along the river bank one may expect to
find Il sprinkling of accordion players
usually German kitchen courtships out
for an airing-and there should have
been nothing very startling in the sound.
yet it's first note made the lrishman's
heart stand still. He knew the most dis
tant reach of Giuseppe's accordion. It
had come out to meet him too often in
the evenings for him to mistake it now
1t was coming very near, and soon he be-
gan to hear voices. CarlOtta's and the
Youths. They were sitting down on the
wharf Just above his head. Broken
snatches of tunes proved that Giuseppe
was toying thoughtlessly with his instru-
ment. and while he played he was ear
nestly talking Soon the music stopped
altogether. the voice fell lower. more seri-
Gus. more indistinct. 1t seemed to Pat
that the boy talked for an age. but he
could distinguish nothing.
But presently Carlotta spoke clearly:
mo. no. Giuseppe. Hushl can't
is'n at your
Then again Giuseppe muttered in
tone indistinct as to words. but full of
Heading.
And now Carlotta again:
Flush, say. Giuseppe! l mustn't
IGs'n at you'll | wish / was deadl hate
you. hate myself! hate your musicI
| hate every hing Before you came ]
was satisfied. Everything was promise
good, an l never knowed TO better.
Now when put my finger in my ears /
hear you sing-I hear that music. Oh.
1 hate it ALI Tonight ! ought to be
home, and am here with you-always
with you"
He spoke more clearly now in Italian.
'sBut why do you speak so, Carlotta? l.
IS not true that you hate me. You love
mel know it; feel it. Since Grst.i
saw you knew we were for each other.
But no. Giuseppe. Hush. say /
can't be for you. Since two years / am
promised. My word IS passed.
land who is it that holds u child by
her word when she loves him not:
'.Oh, hush. Giuseppe! He don't hold
me. hold myself He is the best man
In all the world. he loves me moro than
even my maw. Since WAS SO big he
loved me. and ! loved him good. but
since you camo I am not the same. lam
not fit. run away with you. anil then
wIssSal / see him / am sorry and speak
Kind with him. butall the time see you-
He trusts me. Giuseppe. same Ike /
trust the Blessed Mother. He even put