The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-17
" What answer2p
" INT dUNNtI
"Are you coming with me2"

] w nat aUSNtE
"Are you coming with me2"
"Where?'
| Home!"
| "Nolp
What You refuse? Everything is wait
| ing for you, child. A palace Musicl Serv-
| ants with flowers TO throw at your feet y
| Cecilia listened to his glowing accounts, and
the old desire, eager, passionate, burned
within her again. When he ended she mur-
INJURED, half unconscously:
Yes, / am ready ;"
You will come with me, tonight"
Tonight"
les, we will be married in the little
church. The ship sails tonight! Come
You must be quiek,"
Tonight! Dio I cannotlD
Very WELT " returned the man, with cold
impatience; "just as you say. / must lie
off; this is your last chance"
The girl bowed her head" Pietro-Pie-
troi"
"Will you Gomez" She raised it; her face
was white and passionate.
"No!n
"AIl right! Addio! Remain here to
suffer slave for fshermant Grow old
and hideous like your mother Get blows
and curses for recompensei Poor child,
pity yOu. Good-by, sweet, dearest rose. /
would have saved you"
He moved away. She caught his arm.
Watt" she cried; "how much time
have ~"
Three hours"
well, let me say farewell to a-a-frend; !;
one who loves me. | shall be back-waiti" "
Before he could speak she was gone. She
retraced her steps to the sea; over the stony
Al, t,.. IL
Indifferent to all,-to the moonlight and
shadow, as they chased each other across her
white face. If Pietro says ior me to go,
viii! If he says for me to stay, stayi o,
mother, let him know / love him!n She
reached the shore. Yes, there he wasl She
knew his boat well. Dear Pietro-dear,
brave Pietro! No, shall stay with you. /
will go now and tell the stranger!" She
faced about positively; then, changing
again, No. we will go together!"
She seized hold of the smallest boat moored
to the place, and tugged with all her young
strength. At first it woald not bulge, then
it slid lightly into the water Taking up
the oars she pulled towards Pietro's boat.
When she neared it she called him by name,
but no answer came. She drew up along
side. The boat was empty; yet it was
surely PietrOs, for there was his cap and the
picture of the Madonna which she had given
him, in the stern. A horrible fear came to
her. She looked about. Something was
struggling in the water few feet away; the
moon lighted the broken water like halo
of silver
Petrol" she called.
A gurgling groan responded. Quick az a
flash, the girl tore off her bodice and heavy
wooden shoes. u am young and fresh"
she breathed; al will save hlm!" She
sprang into the dark, cold water and struck
out toward him. When she neared hfm she
saw his white face smiling strangely and his
eyes fixed upon her lovingly, expectant.
Pietro, my love, am coming" she said.
"Watl"
81 am waiting" came the feeble answer,
for have prayed"
toward the boats, with her strong right arm
beating the water.
Not there, Cecilia
"Yes, caro-; that is your boat. Come!
am fainting!"
"No, Cecilia; over there"
And he nodded to silvery ray that
stretched far into the night. God is call
ing US. "Comel" He turned with last
effort, holding her nearer. "Ah, PietrO!
wait; In-. A little wave swept over
them, bearing on its crest star reflected
from high Heaven. Pietro's prayer was
granted.
The two boats, moved by the tide, struck
making little thud through the
still, clear air. The water trembled, noise
less, unbroken; and the lover waited on the
shore.-From Romance, By permission.