The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1895-05-24

the glossy Leaves without plucklng
the fruit.
Lieut.. Curzon's lip curled involun-
tarily. He took the medal, which was
bronze, representing Astarte on one
l d and three sprigs of grain on the
reverse, emblematic of the fertility of
the island of Malta.
II should like to send this medallion
to England" he asserted, after a
pause, with assumed fervor of en-
thusiasm.
"And this gold Lamina!" added the
grandfather, eagerly receiving the
coin of payment in his shriveled palm.
81 found it myself near the Grand
Port"
Il hope the gentleman does not CON
slider us too ungrateful," interposed
Dolores, with a sorrowful and de-
~preciating dignity, which was not un-
becoming to her dimpled youth. 1--WE
do not forget the service he has done
us in helping grandpapa home from the
temple"
The old man looked at her with an
irascible Impotence, resenting frivol-
Gus interruption.
Your grandpapa must be very
clever" said the officer, thrusting the
medal into his pocket, with every ap-
pearance of rejoicing in its possession,
and rising to depart.
Either the old beggar is poor, or he
is fond of money" was his mental ad-
ditiOn of decision.
Would you accept Florio?" sug-
gested the girl, holding the little
bundle of canine life toward him,
with a graceful gesture of d~eprecating
submission.
Lieut.. Curzon shook his head,
caressed the tiny animal, without
accepting the gift. and replied
Thanks. Flor:.o would be
sorry to exchange masters and knock
about on slripboard."
Forio covered back in the arms of
Dolores, ineXpressibly relieved by the
decision.
Il should like a Maltese rose,''
supplemented the visitor, glancing at
the bud in the girls black tresses. NO
flower is sweeter.'
She detached the rose and gave it to
him. Her face had cleared once more,
and gratitude beamed on her stormy
brow.
'Farewell!' said the blue eyes of the
young Englishman.
FAREWELL" replied the dark eyes
of Dolores, a flash of mockery gleam-
ing in their liquid depths.
Lieut.. Curzon had scarcely quilted
the boundary limit of the garden when
he was joined by DR.. Busatti.
You are returning to Valletta?" he
inferred, bowling courteously. "Pel-
nit me to show you a better path"
Thanks" assented the officer in a
somewhat dry tone.
The two young men walked on to-
gether. The Englishman, with an in
herent sentiment of national upper
iority, found the Maltese tall, thin
and slightly cadaverous, with a GER
tain resemblance to plants which have
grown up in the shade of a damp
palace wall, or in a church cloister:
The. bearing of DR.. Busatti was in
offensive, even ingratiating. His te-
nacious pride in his native island be-
came speedily apparent in the desul-
tory conversation which ensued. He
spoke of historical sites with enthu-
siasm. He dwelt no less warmly on
the delicious oranges and apricots
ripened here to send all over Europe;
the caulifiowers, SO superior in size
and flavor to those of Italy, Holland,
or the Island of Cyprus; the delicacy
of the artichoke, pea, and bean, in
perpetual supply for the need of man.
Lieut.. Curzon, in rueful remem-
brance of tough beef and mutton. as
we'll as of months of ~sirocCo, lent an
distracted ear and m~onosyllablc as
sent.
Then the other adroitly men
toned the persons just quilted.
the eccentric grandfather and the
maiden Dolores. The old man, long
a resident of Malta, was afflicted with
a malady of the heart of which he was
ignorant, and should therefore avoid
all excitement, while he appeared to
be consumed by a restless fever of agi-
t%ation, wearing alike to mind and
body. A similarity of tastes in study
had led to an acquaintance between
the father of DR.. Busatti and the Eng
lishman, whose name vas Jacob Deal
try. Under the circumstances, it was
to be expected that all means Of sell
ing the little objects (for the most part
worthless which he picked up should
be eagerly embraced. Jacob Dealtry
was POOR, and possibly a struggle for
mere existence induced the restless
ness Of temperament characteristic of
him.
Such was the volunteered exp1 ma
ton of Giovanni Battista Busatti.l
The town gained, the young men
separated, with mutual GOODNESS of
civility.
DR.. Busatti was convinced that the
officer had placed the rose given to
him by Dolores in his pocketbook, as
he did not wear it in his button-hole.
May San Gregorio confound all