Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-11-15

a roundabout way Padre Sebastiano
reached the wall of the same fruit
garden where Don Pasquale had lain
in ambush. The whole neighborhoud
seemed deserted, so he might venture
to try and attract Signora Novelh's
attention To be sure, he was rather
afraid of spelling his new cassock, and
besides-what if any one should see
him He laughed softly to himself:
"Ah. saints in heaven, l certainly
never dreamed of playing such boyisn
pranks in the service of my blessed
patrones5"
Then he began to make cautious eff
forts to attract SIgnora Elena's at
tention, but in vain. Becoming impa-
tient, he plucked an orange and threw
it on the roof.
Immediately there arose loud,
childish outcry. Oh, gracious powers!
had he in his holy zeal hurt one of the
innocent youngsters? He would be In
a pretty predcament if the cross
grained podesta should accuse him OF
assault and battery. Fortunately,
however, the fruit was ripe and soft.
Then he heard the mothers soft
voice soothing the child; the next mo-
ment Signora Elena's lovely face
peeped over the parapet, trying to find
out who had been guilty of so malIc-
ious an action.
She began scolding in an absurdIy
soft, childish voice. "Who was that =?
You naughty boy! I'll" But she
got no further, for she caught sight OF
the good padre, her reverend confessor,
comical looking object perched IN
the green tree-top, smiling up at her
rather sheepishly and gesticulating
eagerly with his walking-stick.
''Good-day, my daughter!" said he in
loud whisper. Il must positivefy
speak to yoL without your husbands
knowledge. Are you sure that mo-
body is listening?"
mo, no indeed. father" answered
her sweet voice plaintively "I am
never safe from him anywhere and es-
pecially to-day. He thinks that there
was somebody in that tree before, try
Ing to attract my attention. Was that
you too, father"
No, no. my daughter that was Pas
quale, the curly-head."
on, merciful saintst' cried the lit
tie woman, quite beside Herself.
What can they want of me?"
"a kiss, my little pigeon; only a
kiss" whispered Padre Sebastiano
with a roguish smile. Her childish
terror made her look so charming,
that he could not resist the tempta-
tton to add to the little woman's be-
wi!derment. Then she Stood with
wild eyes and open mouth; the GRIM
son blood rushed to her face; then she
uttered low cry and vanished
After While she came back and
Deeped shyly over the parapet. The
reverend father had been sucking an
orange to while away the time and had
not seen her return. When he heard
her voice he started and answered with
his mouth full of orange juice, YES,
indeed, my daughter, | am still here.
Why did you run away in such a hur-
ry?'
"Oh, l ami so dreadfully frightened.
suppose somebody should hear US. He
follows me about every where and the
servants are not to be trusted. But 1t
is not right for you to make fun of a
poor woman like mer
Padre Sebastiano answered eagerly.
But L am not in fun. What | said
is in sober earnest. Can YOU not
come down into the garden, child, so
that l can tell you about it?"
No, no, impossible. All the doors
are locked. But he has given me per-
mission to go to church this evening, -
"Alone?"
Yes, alone. He IS not going. He is
afraid of the people, proud as he is
Very well, | shall rely upon your
coming;" said Padre Sebastiano grave
ly, for, let me tell you, Santa Elena's s
ransom depends on you and you alone.
God bless you, my child!" and with a
kindly smile he climbed down from his
perch.
A quarter of an hour later. he
Knocked gently at the door of the
counts apartment.
The count had returned from his
walk warm and dusty, and stood at
the washstand in his shirt sleeves
He thought that Don Pasuuale was
knocking to announce dinner, so called
out, Come inr and in came good
Padre Sebastiano with a polite bow.
'Ah,' was the counts first thougt.,
that chatterbox of a landlord has
brought the clergy to my ears. Now
l suppose this reverend father will
point out to me the exceeding impro-
priety and sinfulness of my offer, and
show me how a miserable hereto like
myself can earn the church's blessing
and st Elena's thanks by spending
one thousand lire. leaving the kiss out
of the bargain, however"
He was so confused that his knowl-
edge of Italian deserted him, and his
apologies for his incomplete toilet as
well as his inquiries as to what had
procured to him the honor of so unex-
pected visit, were a tumble of sew
eral different tongues.
The reverend gentleman was also
embarrassed and their mutual apollo
gies would never have come to an end,
if the countess had not come from the
balcony and invited Padre Sebastiano
to take seat
She sat down opposite him smiling
and opened the conversation in the
most matter of course tone of voice,
by the question, II suppose you have
come about the kiss. reverend father 2"
Padre Sebastiano looked in amaze
ment from the count to his beautiful
young wife, and at last managed to
say: yes, of course-I mean-Signor
Pasquale told me that your excel
lency-- Does the signora know
about it?'
"Yes certainly" i" said tho oorp+as.