The Dickinson press., 1894-11-24

had now- only the dim soft greens and
grslys Of age. There vas plenty Of
beauty in the old time-worn t0wn-but
tho Kind Of beauty that would only
charm the eye Of Il painter or poet.
and by most other people be disregard
cd.
1t charmed! RufO. and gave him subj
jects for many II sketch, to he after
ward enlarged and finished; and not till
the dusk began to fall. and the dark
streets look darker. and the shad0wy
houses more shadowy, did he turn away
and walk slowly over the bridge, and
out into the ste p. stony road, where
he knew Nita must Nj hc. IL her
friend kept hcr word. .
That she did Keep 1t was 500 evi.
dent. Gay voices and girlish laughter
fell upon his ear, and glan cing he saw
the tall, handsome figure Of the copper
smiths daughter. but moi as he had
anticipated-as Nita's sole companion.
Some half dozen other youths and
maidehs had joined til I'M, and were
evidently bound upon the same GRAND
he had intended for himself.
However, there was no help for 1t,
so, resolving to make the best If cir
cumstances, he gave Il gay greeting to
Teresina, and walked by her side until
an opportunity came of speaking to
Mia. 1t soon offered itself-the little
cotluette knowing perfectly well that
this mectin. owed nothing to chance,
ard being as DESTROYS of exercising her
destinations oh the handsome stranger
as he was to succumb to their witch
cries. From time to time, as some
farm or HON stead was reached, the
escort diminished, for Nita lived fur
Their from the town than any " her
companions. and tho young mcn who
would gladly have accompanied her to
her own dwelling grew sulky and an
gercd ut her saucy rebutfs and pretty
impertinences, aud left her finally to
the care of Ruf0 and Teresina. Then
1t was that, scizing the opportunity for
which he had longed all day, the young
painter pleaded for the privilege Of
painting her from life.
Nita pretended surprised at his re-
quest. 81 cannot tell" she said dubi-
orsly. "If t;enna permits"
"And who is Gcnna:" he asked.
"My sister"
why should she not permit? There
Is 10 harm in IL. Your friend here
has often sat to me-"
"YCS. hut Mia is watched like Il cat
tortured mousc," laughed the copper
smiths daughter. i%nsolcntly. what is
allowed to HE as Il right will not be
granted her us a privilege
"Indeed you are wrong," said Mia,
earnestly. ''Genna is very, very good.'
''Thcn try and persuade her-will you
not::" said Rufo in his most caressing
tones. IF she loves YOU, she will do
whenever YOU wish. Who could help
ity' liz added, in a lower voice. and
with Il glance that brought the hot,
bright color to the girls lovely face.
You arc foolish to ask her about it
at all, Nita." said ner friend, ontemptu-
Ously. lido what / do. Invent an
GRAND or excuse to the town, or roam
over to the ruined monastery yonder.
No one need KNOW"
Nita looked doubtful. ut might not
be right. Besides, I might BE- seem"
The painter smiled under his thick,
dark mustache. GLOW the sex repeats
ITSELF" lie said to himself. 1T is the
fear of discovery, not the fear Of
wrcng-doing, that keeps nine out If ten
women straight"
But he spoke more softly and per-
suasively than e II. will inset you
wherever you wisl," lie said. II would
take any trouble. only to have that
beautiful face Of yours OH canvas"
And the subtle 1attcry stole into the
| girls heart. She hcsitated. "Will the
world see it-the picture, / meany" she
asked.
"Assuredly," he answered her. 'It
will be sten NIL talked of and adiuired
everywhere throughout the great cit
ios-"