Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1895-04-12

angry
The priest was indeed coming. The
sweet music from an invisible choir
Was filling the church with ravishine
strains, and the aeolytes intheir brave
finery were taking their places. The
father paused in anger and dismAy.
"who has done this dastArdly deed ,
To the dungeon with him. Send foi
the"
''Stay. reverend father, said Leon
Ardi. laying 4 OBTAINING hand on tue
priestly arm. "this is the offender
this child, who is Of my own lineage,
and will pay you for the harm she
has wrought You shall have a pres
ent for every flower spoiled.
"But my rugby beautiful, pre-
cious rug, sent from the princely
house of Biscari9 Think you, sig
nor, they will take money for it,
spoiling?"
Listen, father, said the Signorina
Beatrice. at this moment approaching,
al have sent Anita for some flowers,
and will repay the damage this poor
baby has done. Leonsr di, thou wilt
help me?" This with heavenly blush,
rs she stretched out suppllcating
hand.
"On one condition, said the signor
with a fierce determination in his
bold, handsome eyes. 1T is as thou
seest, father, a sad thing that such an
accident should befsll SO fine a gift,
and betokens want OF care on the
part OF the custodian of this church.
When they ask who is to blame they
cannot punish the little child, who
does not know her right hand from
her left. Hold, reverend father! Not
touch shall the signorina give to
repair the harm to thy fine rug if thou
do not instantly say the words that
make her my wife. Will do it?"
But, signor-the permit holy
father"
Neither holy father nor permit
are required. Marry us as thou dost
two OF the people. Such marriage is
binding and valid. Again-will do
it?"
The duenna had returned with the
flowers, but Beatrice, white as the
whitest lily there, waited her lovers
command.
Come with me to the sacristy. ]
am compelled to do thy bidding. But,
signor, it will cost thee
"Gold Thou shalt have it. Here,
Anita, take this child-she shall be
our bridesmsiden aud thou and she
OuE TWO Nllutbses. Ilh La IONe
laughs at locksmiths. We will break
fast with the child's mother, and all
will be we'll.
The frightened duenna dared not re.
sist, and seeing her young mistress
smile at her reassuringly, she took
heart OF grace, and said to herself, ii
was ever so; young love would have
its way, and she pretended to herself
to be glad she was old,
The great congregation had not half
filled the church, the choir in scarlet
and lace were chanting the services
when the Lady Beatrice diGarmo rose
from her knees, her veil concealing
her face, and the superb rug was dis
played, perfect in its first conception,
masterpiece of floral embroidery.
And being faint with excitement and
no small degree OF fear, she did not
stop for further adoration-she had
prayed necessarily while she wrought
but took her husbands arm, and,
followed by her strange retinue, left
the church, Leonardo guiding hel
steps to his sisters house.
Here all was terror and confusion
messengers had been sent for Leonardo
and had returned without finding him
The police were hunting everywhere
Agatha, the only child, was lost.
But when they received her from
the arms of the new aunt, and were
told that old feuds were now to b.
laid aside, and the story of the finding
of the little st. Agatha, and the re
pairing of the mischief her small fin
gers had done, was repeated, what
could they do but add their forgive
ness to the Easter jubilee, and before
night the two families were united al
the feast of Easter And the little
bridesmaid was crowned as beftted
one who had brought about such {
happy state of affairs by running
away to look for her patron saint, hel
dear st. Agatha.
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