The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-07-07

able not only Of feeling love, out
even OF comprehending IL.
Discounted. Amelia had looked
about her. and amid that array OF
faces, coats aud decorations that
made a circle around her bea ltiful
cousin. she had sought and sought
An odd girl. She had actually found
those polished gentlemen empty and
unsympatnetic although finely clad
and uneSceptionable from top TO
toe. How could she have dared TO
raise even her thoughts 10 the heights
on which they moved? Which OF
them would have designed TO descend
TO her, poor little orphan, sheltered
by the pity OF her cousin?
Thus set apart and averse to all
batteries, she led her own life, amid
the festivities and the constant noise
and confusion OF the house.
But one evening she discovered
among the crowd newcomer
blond and handsome like herself.
and like herself, sad, timid. and en-
barrassed. At once secret sym
pathy attracted her toward young
Mario. 1t seemed to her that she
might be able TO comfort him with
her words, for surely be cherished
deep sorrow in his heart, since his
! fine face never frightened with
lively color, and his eyes often glis-
| tened as IL with restrained tears
He welcomed sympathy so eagerly
that it appeared as il he sought her,
as il he came solely for her sake.
And they soon talked freely together.
After their first meeting, which was
full OF embarrassment to both OF
them, they passed all the reception
evenings OF the splendid Countess
together. Amelia always awaited
him with indescribable emotion. and
when she saw him appearing in the
/ doorway, difiident and shy, all her
I life was concentrated In her heart,
that beat beat as il il would
burst its bonds. Then with studied
carelessness he wandered through
the rooms until he SUI ceeded in plac-
ing himself at her side, whence he
did not stir until the last guests we're
about TO leave.
Mario had told the story OF his life
his poor life OF discomfort and iso-
lation. He too was an orphan,
brought up by strangers who had
speculated upon his talent. by fore
OF study and effort he had at last
made for himself position that had
enabled him to demand his liberty
in exchange for monthly payment.
Never, poor soul, had he tasted the
sweetness OF mutual love.
I Amelia, in her secret heart re-
joiced at all this. Would IT. net be
her privilege TO give him the delights
that he had never expe fenced, her
task To make him forget the bitter
ness of so many years, and 70 rewa d
hin 70: all his sutferings? AT night
how many dreams OF this peopled the
virginia. little room OF the young girl,
and in fancy she saw herself already
an adored wife, clasped to the gentle
and noble breast of her beloved
Marc.
One thing, however, preoccupied
her mind. When she met Mario for
the first time cloud OF sadness had
yelled his attractive couGtenance,
sadness behind which she had per-
/ ceived deeply wounded heart or
that wound Mario had never spoken
! TO her, but the cloud had not passed
i away, Notwithstanding the love that
! Amelia breathed towards him from
her eyes, her smile, her entire personal
ity And, then, too, she would have
wished-indeeu, she expected it every
evening, and always vainly-the final
outburst OF Mario's love. He loved
her-oh. she was sure OF that-but
why did he not tell her so" or course,
! natural timidity-the lear of troub-
ling her simple life. He was so noble,
her Mario! But finally he must ex-
plain himself. Oh! and she would
not stammer in giving him a favor
able answer. such yes would escape
her lips-and then what mutual Joy.
! what warmth in their luture talks.
/ Then she would be obliged TO tell IT
To her cous n, and the kind Countess
would willingly consent. But why
did he not speak TO her?
One evening when they we're alone
in the shadow OF the yellow drawing
room Mario suddenly let himself go,
seized her rembling hand murmured
to her, Il will must speak to YOU
at last"
Ard Amelia, bending her far head
and almost suffocated with emotion,
replied, Il am listening TO you"
"Dear Amelia" Mario began,
shave you never asked yourself why
/ first came TO this house?"
"How should i? Chance, perhaps"
murmured Amelia, hardly able to
contain her JOY, while her heart C led
out the answer, "tor me, for me
alone"
''lt was not a chance, no-I came
here conquered, led by passion alone.
l loved and was wild with pain be-
fore / set foot inside the house." de-
clared Mario.
Amelia trembled, not daring TO
interrupt him, but she would have
liked to fling herself upon his neck
without letting him finish, and TO