Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-05-05
CHAPTER III.

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az AA BOUT HALF AN
.HR% hours ride from
MH. WINK Rome, in pretty
MIsX kGk Sf little villa, sur
MlM &sseSSsS rounded by orange
IiG@f~ trees and jasmine,
IEfWTON lived one of the
BE8e ~ u finest musical gen.
E3NN ~ fuses Of his time,
RS@SX Sertori Us, the
MMI~ great violoncellist
IMsZA4 Late in the after
noon of the day on which Roswein's
opera was to receive its initial repre-
sentation, the old man, his hair whit
ened by the frosts Of more than sew
enty years, sat, half reclining. In
large arm chair upon the veranda Of
his little home. His hands lay folded
upon his lap. and his gaze through his
half-closed lids was fixed upon the
smiling lands ape outspread before
him. At his feet on . low stool, sat
his daughter, Marta, o girl OF Is. the
child Of his old age. Not exactly
pretty, perhaps, but o face that at-
tracted one instinctively from its ma
tive goodness and purity. She was
engaged on pie OF embroidery. but
ever and anon her hands would drop
idly and she would cast an anxious,
wistful glance on the white road which
led to Rome.
"You don't talk, my child" said old
Sertorious, At length.
"No, father" she replied, starting Q
little: 81 was afraid of disturbing You.
You looked so happy. Your face had
the peaceful look of child asleep In
its cradle"
The old man laid his hand caressingly
upon her head. ~ like your COMPARE
son. little one" he said.
The young girl rose and kissed him
tenderly. Then, putting aside her
work, she came and leaned against one
of the pillars of the veranda-
What lovely EVENING"
..Isn't IL? my dear. The longer l
live here the more satisfied am. ]
would not trade this humble cottage
for the most splendid palaces Of Bos-
phorus. Do you know" he continued
gravely, "a have the most profound
respect for the Roman who conceived
the idea Of elevating on this spot
temple to Fortune. II Ii supposed to
have been Lucullus, and i fancy he
must have thought Of It on an evening
like this, and ] should be worse than
o heather II ! did not, after my
fashion, vow my temple TO Fortune-1
mean, my .hild, bow my head and
thank God for his goodness to me.
You must acknowledge. Marta, that
heaven has loaded me with benefits"
Certainly" replied his daughter,
absently. her eyes still fixed on the de.
serted roadway.
"Here am /, an old man." went on
Sertorius, ARRIVED ut that age when
life loses for most men something OF
It's value; and have never enjoyed It
more than do now"
He paused a. II awaiting . response.
"There are very few men like you'
:sThere are very few" replied the
old map slowly, with . simplicity
which robbed his words Of their appar-
emit egotism. "You are right Marta
Isn't Il miraculous that have pre-
served, ut 20 years old, the strength OF
an athlete? Still, ] don't know II You
have noticed Il, my child, but was
endowed with . wonderful constitu-
ton. II seems a. II nature, by spe-
cial favor, had violated for me her
usual lava and given me both the
strength of Hercules and the genius
Of an Athenian. mean by that word
genius-don't misunderstood me, Marta
Il mean only that natural love Of the
beautiful which distinguished the
meanest citizens of the city OF Periclea
have no higher pretensions-"
The young girl turned toward him
with q look upon her face which posi-
lively TRANSPORTED IL and made her al
most beautiful, 90 full was IL Of rover
entail love and tenderness 80.
'But have them for you." she en-
claimed. "I am the daughter Of .
great artist and an proud Of IT."