The Dickinson press., 1894-11-24

doubtless. I must sketch her from life.
Her face Is perfect. 1t is just the face /
/ want. too"
Then he rose, put away paper and
pencils and slowly sauntered down the
hot, stony road. and keeping the pro-
ccssson still in view. entered the town
whittier it was going to finish the cele-
bratiOn In the little church Of the Mis- |
ericordia.
A little dusky, old world, half-forgot-
ten town it was, with nothing of note
AVG Il few churches and an arched
bridge or two. and an ancient carved
gateway some hundred years old, and
narrow, ill-paved streets, and quaint
tumble down houses, picturesque
enough to painters and artists, but
models Of dirt and discomfort in them
selves.
The a was a painter and had come
from Rome. He was not a very great
or celebrated artist, being poor and Of
humble birth, but full Of great ambi-
ton, and With an Impotence Of tongue
and manper that had often marred his
success. He had come here to gather
subjects for 81 picture on which he was
then occupied. and the intense quiet,
and'drcamy hush Of the quaint old town
and the beauty of the country
around had charmed him so that he
had stayed on from week to week,
much longer than he had intended.
AS he strolled along his thoughts
were still busy with that scene. ut
would make a good subject" he pom
derel. "These beautiful cypress-crOwn-
ed hills. that long winding, snowy line,
with the colors of the priests vest
mcnts, and the gold fringe of the a
ing banners. and above all, that in
tense blue sky; and then the pure saint
like face Of the one girl and the lovely,
glowing beauty, and great. astOnished
eye of the other. as she looked up from
the book. Oh. yes, it would do well;
and nothing pleases people so much as
to see in Il picture or Il stage repre-
sentation the Very scenes which, II
they did but open their eyes, they
would G Il thousand times over In
every day life-sct in their very midst.
1t is a strange age-truly."
Later on lie entered the old gray
church. where the people We're thrOng-
ing in crowds. and The sound of the
tinkling Of the tiny bells came out over
the bowed heads and kneeling figures
OH the steps and in the streets.
He did not quite know why he enter
ed-Somn impulse. for which he could
not account. prompted him--but MS he
pushed his way through the thr0ng he
saw close beside him the maiden who
had attracted his notice in the process
sion. His eager eyes fastened on her,
almost compelling her own to meet
them by that magnetic force which lies
in Il long. fixed gaze. She blushed even
NOSE rosily than before, but round the
soft, scarlet mouth II faint smile play
cd. Mia was too used to admiration
to resent it.
He remained standing beside her,
only glancing from time to time Mt the
dark fringed eyelids, that yelled her
eyes-at the supple, rounded figure in
the first sweet grace of early girlhood-
at the flushed warmth of the cheeks
at the arche1, pouting lips, and with
every glance becoming more fascinated
with the girls beauty.
At last the service was over. The
murmnr Of prayer and chants of praise
We're silent. The crowds began to dis
pcrsc. We'll pleased with the festival,
and comforted they scarcely knew why,
by the mere fact Of having heard or
seen it.
The painter Anio stood aside and
watched the Tuscan maidens pass out.
He saw they were unaccOmpanied,
and resolved to keep them in view.
Walking in their rear, he heard tho
elder say: "Nill you so home now,
Nita. or not?"
"Home:" was the impetuous rejoin-
der. mo, ! am going to Cecco, the
cOppersmith, now. His daughter, Ter
csina. has asked me. Will you. not
come too?"
Nay, YOU know l am no friend Of
Teresina's Nita. She has bold ways,
and is sly of speech. l do not like her.
I am sorry you should 60 there; nor do
] think Maso would like it."
The brown eyes, SO patient and sad,
looked wistfully ut the lovely. wilful
face. but met no answer to their en-
treaty save a shake of the head. "You
and Maso would let me do nothing and
go nowhere, If you could have your
way" said pretty Mia pouting.
NAY, dear we only wish to keep you
from evil company. 1t is bad for any
maiden to be talked about as Tcrcsina
is talked of here"
well, l I'M going there. so it is no
use to say anything more," was the will.
full rejoinder; and, satisfied with what
he had heard. Anio slackened his pace
and turned away, al amused smile or
his lips. "Teresina's FRIEND" he said
to himself. "Tis easily managed then
Teresina is my model. She must bring
this Sirl to me-"
He walked swiftly up the narrow, ID.
paved streets, and stopped at q house
close to the market place. A girl was
leaning out of Il window overhead
dark-brown. handsome girl, with a dis
contented face and eyes clouded now
with anger. The painter looked up.
Not out? How comes that, pretty
one?" he said.
She glanced at him, and her face
flushed.
''They would not let me,' she said,
sulkily. ut was Lippa's turn, and one
of us must stay and do the housework.'
What. on Feast Day?'
Il was mt early mass; but I go out
again this evening""
You will come down to me at the
old place, will you not?'
Il don't know. 1 have n friend with
me to-day. She comes from the hill.
side. 1t is II good distance and I must
walk home with her ere dark"
what road do you take? / will meet
YOU"
The girl looked a little surprised al
his eagerness, then pointed in the direc
. ton, and hastily withdrew. Looking
> round to discover the cause of her dis
appearances. he saw approaching @
group of girls and youths, among then
Mia.
!, Once again as they passed each othe,
, ), his eyes caught hers, and once again
her W answered their appeal. '.Thret
times" Inc murmured. passing on, while
the laughing group swept by. my ia
tai number"
J. CHAPTER III.
nj A Model.
y Rufo Anio was a Roman by birth.
y His parents had been of the people
and lie was their only child. At four