Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
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tQe woman go before MIN, walked over tn6
barges until he reached the one In which
she had a sort Of rude deck-house or cabin.
in which she and five children lived. There
he examined the little boy.
"A sore throat" he said, simply. I Will
He hailed a passing gondola and went
to his house In the Fondamente.
What Is amiss with him?' said Andreis,
later in the day.
You would have done better to leave
him in the canal water" replied Damer.
He Is a weak little thing; he has never
had any decent food; he will never re-
cover"
But what is 4t?" .t4s.
"a sore throat" replied Damer, as he
had replied to the mother. -
They went both to the Ca Laranigra
there: the night was very warm; the tall
lilies and palms on the balcony glistened
in the light Of a full moon; there was
music. Veronica held out the lutte to An
dreis.
viii you not sing with me tonight"
Alas! You must forgive me. I am
rather hoarse. 1 have no voice." he an
swered, with regret.
II heard of what you did this morning y
she murmured. in a low tone. 'Your gon-
dolier told mine. Perhaps you have taken
tomorrow"
same soft whisper. while his hand touched
hers in seeming only to take the lutte.
Damer saw the gesture where he sat in
the embrasure of a window speaking of a
frontier question of the hour with a Ger
man minister who was passing through
Venice.
When they left the house two or three
other men accompanied them ON to the
water steps. Warm though as the night
was, Andreis shivered little as he wrap
ped his overcoat round him. 81 could bear
my sables," he said,' as he descended the
stairs. Damer looked at him in the moon
light, which was clear as the light Of early
N orning.
you should not plunge into sewage
water and embrace little beggars," he said,
coidly, as he accompanied one of the Vene-
Fondamente, and who had offered him a
seat in his gondola.
Andreis. refusing the entreaties of his
companions to go and sup with them at
F1orian'S, went to his rooms at the hotel
He had a flood of happiness at the we'll
springs of his heart, but in his body he
felt feVerish and cold.
1T is the sewage water. It got down my
throat as l dived," he thought, recalling
the words of his friend. Il shall sleep this
chill on and be well again in the morning."
But he did not sleep; he drank some iced
drinks thirstily, and only fell into a trou-
bled and heavy slumber as the morning
dawned red over the roofs of Venice, and
the little cannon on the Guidecca saluted a
new day.
He felt i'll when he rose, but he bathed
tite for breakfast went down to his gon-
dola, which he had hidden to be before the
hotel at . o'clock.
At parting from her he had arranged with
Veronica that .they should go at that hour
to see the little child Of the Bridge Of
Paradise
AS he stood on the steps and was about
to descend Damer touched him on the arm
You are going to take the Countess
Laranigra to the sick boy?
YES" said Andreis, with a naughty ac-
cent: he did not like the tone of authority
in which he was addressed.
Il forbid you to do SO, then" said Da-
mer. '.She would only see dead body, and
that body infectious with disease"
Andreis was panied.
rs the little thing dead?" he said In
hushed voice. Dead already?'
He died twenty minutes ago. He had
been i'll for three days"
Poor little pretty thing!" murmured An
dreis. Il am sorry. 1 will go to the moth
err"
You had better go to your bed. You are
unwell. You did foolish act yesterday"
advice will ask it," said Andreis. impa-
tiently, as he entered his gondola and went
to the house of Veronica. Damer, standing
on the steps of the hotel. looked after him
with q gaze which would have killed him
could look have slain.
Her house was bright in the morning
radiance, the green water tapping its mar
bles, the lilies and palms fresh from the
nights dew, the doors standing open show
ing the poisoning acacias in the garden
behind.
She came to him at once in one of the
smaller salons.
II am ready" she said. gayly. Look!
have got these fruits and toys for your
little waif."
Then something in his expression checked
her gladness.
'What is it?" she asked.
1.-THE child Is dead" said Andreis.
"Oh, how sad!'' She put down the little
gifts she had prepared on a table near her;
she was tender-hearted and quickly moved;
tine tears came into her eyes for the little
boy whom she had never seen.
Andreis drew nearer to her.
mia cara" he murmured. do not play
with me any longer. Death is SO near us
always. I have told you hundred times
that love you. I will make you SO happy
il you will trust to me. Tell me--tell me"
She was softened by emotion, conquered