Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-04
The summer wore slowly away in this uncer-

And Dennys? He would have haughtiiy re-
sented the insinuation that he could possibly
dream Of msrryiIf Sor Rosa's niece, who made
his bed, busted hisloom and waited on him ct
table. He would equally have resented an in
sinuation that he could dream OF making love
TO her. He considered himself gentlemen
and quite above trifiing with Q girl He liked
the little thing. He admired her timid. earnest
ways. the questioning glsnces that were, he
supposed, only q way she had with her eyes,
the quick blush, the bird-like futter. She was
so childlike sometimes that he saw no harm in
patting her on the head. in smiling at her with
a murmured "Catins mia when she maneu-
vered TO meet him on the stairs; In petting her
IN hundred ways. Or, perhaps, msnlike, tax
ing pleasure IN her beauty, he would not allow
himself 20 believe that he selfish. In fact,
he gave the subject very little thought.
Miss Andrews gave AZ a good deal OF thought
Il am going southwark next week" she
announced at the table evening in the
beginning OF September. There is a little
chill in the air OF Venice now which spoils the
mornings and evenings. Besides, l am hunger
ing and thirsting for trees. Who is for sor-
rento?"
But can't 60 for q month yetr' exclaimed
Dennys. at whom she had not looked II have
only just finished the Ruby copy had TO give
Catina, and there are a dozen outdoor studies
/ want to make
What is to prevent your making them?"
Miss Andrews asked with cool surprise. ''You
are not obliged 10 CO."
he bit his lip and remained silent
what Is she angry about!' he asked him.
self, and remained in brown study till dinner
was over. But when they left the table he fol-
more picture together before we gor be
begged. The days are warm yet You
know L don't want TO stay here after you go
away, ard l should have to tear myself away
now. Let's try that view up by the Frari'
She hesitated-and consented After all, re
M ha he hs for sha hun, A.. 9sh
time. Idoht believe he suspects the girl in
throwing herself at his head and that she Is
really wild about him. II will STAY 20 paint
one picture more" she said, but only one.
Have you quite finished with Catina?'
Yes, my Ruby is cut-a brilliant-and set
and sold" be said. ''And pretty jewel she is.
/ half grudge her the copy, but had promised
il. may buy it back
Miss Andrews shoulders gave a somewhat i'm
patient movement
The next morning they went out and found
n large boat moored at the very spot where they
wanted IL aud they took possession and set up
their easels. They had agreed not TO look at
each other pictures tall they were nearly fin
lshed. and not even TO guess what the others
subject might be. They could not help seeing
that both canyases were high and narrow but
that was all they knew.
And so it CHANGED that the pictures grew 10
be two mysteries, the solution of which was ar
IDENTIFY longed for. with some haunting impress
sion OF deeper meaning in both their minds
Dennys painted dark carved balcony over a
darker portal. yelled woman. entering
glanced back over her shoulder from the thresh-
old. But instead of stopping as his manner
was, at this fragment of somber richness and
mystery he showed the palace corner climbing
story above story to the light and ending in =
terrace that shone with sunshine like a beacon
And on the terrace stood a woman looking
down. The figure was small against the sky
|. laar
shoulders, Renaissance of the famous plush
cape.
Miss Andrews covered her lower canvas with
fog-as In her first Venetian picture-and
painted the lanthorn and half the dome of a
church above. But instead of leaving them
isolated there she showed the visionary lower
half Of the dome beneath and DINNER walls
dropping to mist-smothered arch and wet
blurred stair above the scarcely guessed at
glistening OF still waters.
They went out every day, and at length the
day came when they should see each others
pictures before going home. Dennys set his up
before his conpanioa and stood behind it,
watching her face.
How it climbs.' she said, after minute of
pleased contemplation.
ut is the apotheosis Of your plush cape" be
said. Now. let me see" and he came around
behind where she sat. facing her canvas.
'Ah. it is as l saidi' he cried at once Il
have aspired and You have condescended. We
meet"
Feeling his hand on her shoulder and that he
was bending over her. she looked quickly
around, and just in time to catch upon her lips
the kiss he meant for her cheek.
There was an instsnts silence. Dennvs stood
upright and Miss Andrews gave a frightened
glance about 60 see if they were observed.
Then, with an air Of severity, she began to
gather up her brushes.
II beg your pardonr' Dennys said with a
laugh that betrayed confusion. 81 declare /
had no time TO consider. BESIDES. of course, /
meant Your cheek-for the first time
81 think we had better be going home" the
lady remarked with dignity. II suppose you
mistook ne for a model"
The painters countenance fell. She lad
stepped out onto the landing while she spoke
and there was no opportunity TO reply. Not q
word was uttered as they walked to the steamer
landing and sat side by side buzzing down to
the Riva. The lower landing was two or three
bridges above their house, and Dennys, watch
ing his companion with sidelong glances as
they walked down, took courage from the color
of her cheeks.
az want you to let me tell the family some
thing this evening-Francesca." be said softly
Tell them what?" with an ALLEGATION Of
great wonderment
That you and L are engaged to be married"
Nonsense she exclaimed, turning her face
away.
They were at the house door, which stood
SlS-- Sdihd udu COIlc uONu 10 open II IOt
them, having seen them from the window. But
they did not see her standing back in the dark
shadow of the vestibule.
'One moment Dennys said, stopping at the
lower stair. You are not angry with me, Miss
Andrews"
If you allow me to forget your nonsense /
shall forget to be angry" she replied. and
touched lightly the hand he held out TO her.
All That was love, Catna saw and knew
it now. When had he looked SO pleadingly at
her? That was love and they were lovers.
An hour passed and the dinner bell rang, but
no Catina came to serve the table They called
in vain, scolded and finally searched for her.
She was found face downward on her bed,
crying with toothache. She vas subject 10
toothache and the excuse WAS accepted. She
could eat nothing. Ali she asked was to be let
alone, and they let her alone. Later n bed
time. when the cook brought her up some sort
Of remedy she took it quietly. The cook slept
in the same room and was soon sound asleep.
Before long all the house was quiet.
Then, softly rising. Catins crept down stairs
to the garden and went to its farthest corner,
where the oleanders were. There she could
weep unheard, lying on the ground beside the
doves poor little grave. The air was damp
and chilly, but that was better than 20 suffocate
with restrained sobs. At dawn she stole In
again and went to bed. trembling with cold,
with a real toothache this time; coughing, too,
d little.
Her aunt came to her and babe her stay in
bed. "lou've got cold" she said. Il viii
send Won nm some sisaOa Keen vaursaif wall