Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-09-26

u pA nv WtEil- hehu hASAOiN. anu sVN
shall find the greatest conquerors and
sages ruined and disgraced by its
I Snares
thought OF the announcement / had
made at the banquet Of my W ap-
preaching marriage, and stroye 10 rec
oncile ii with the apparent i~nconsist-
ency OF my present observation. But
he was too discreet 20 utter his mind
aloud He merely said:
NO doubt you are right, eVcellenza.
Still one Is glad 10 see the roses bloom,
and the stars shine, and the foam
bells sparkle on the waves; so n is
glad TO see Lila Month"
I turned round in my chair 20 OBJ
serve him more closely: the flush deep
ened on his cheek as l regarded him.
/ laughed with a bitter sadness.
I'm love, AMIGO, art thouI So soon!
Three days, and thou hast fallen a
prey TO the smile OF Lila. l am sorry
for thee"
He interrupted me eagerly.
the e~xcellenZa is in error. l would
not dare-she is too ~innocent-she
knows nothing! She is like a little
bird in the nest, so soft and
tenders word OF love would fright
en- her; l should be a coward TO utter
il"
Well, well. I thought. what vas the
use OF sneering at the poor fellow!
Why, because my own love had turn
ed to ashes in my grasp. should i
mock at those who fancied they had
found the golden fruit of the Hesper-
ides? yincenZo. once a soldier, now
half courier, half valet. was something
OF a poet at heart; he had the grave
meditative turn of mind aInmon 10
T~uscans, together with that amorous
fire that ever burns under their light
ly worn mask OF seeming reserve.
i reused myself TO appear interested.
Il e yincenzo," l said with a
kindly air or banter, that the sight
OF Lila Monti more than compensates
you for that portion Of the Neapolitan
carnival which you lose by being here.
But why you should wish me 10 behold
this paragon OF maidens l know not.
unless you would have me regret my
own lost youth"
A curious and perplexed expression
fitted over his face. At last he said
firmly. as though his mind were made
up.
''The Eccellenza must PARDON me for
seeing what perhaps / ought not TO
have seen. but
"But whatg" 1 asked.
"Eccellenza, you have not lost your
youth"
1 turned my head toward him again
he was looking at me in some alarm
he feared some outburst of anger.
"weil,," I said calmly. THAT is
your idea, is It? And whyI"
Eceiienza, / saw you without your
spectacles that day when you fought
with the unfortunate Signor Ferrari.
I watched you when you fired. Your
eyes are beautiful and terrible-ehe
eyes OF a young man. though your
hair Is so white"
Quietly l took of my glasses and
laid them on the table beside me.
"As you have seen me once without
them. you can see me again." l observ-
ed gently. Il wear them for a special
purpose. Here In Aveilino the purpose
does not bold. Thus far l confide in
you. But beware how you betray my
confidence"
.Eccellenzar' cried vincenzo in tru.
iy panied accents, and with a grieved
look.
There, I was wrong-forgive me,
You are honest; you have served your
country well enough 20 know the value
OF fidelity and duty. But when you
say l have not lost my youth. you are
wrong. Nincenzo, l have lost tilt has
been killed within me by a great sor.
row. The strength. the suppleness Of
limb. the brightness of eye, these are
mere outward things: but in the heart
and soul are the chill and drear bitter
ness of deserted age. Nay. do not
smile: I am in truth very old-so old
that tire of my length OF days: yet
again. not too old 10 appreciate your
affection. AMIGO, and" here / forced
n faint smile. "when | see the maiden
Lila. l win tell you frankly what
think Of her"
Vineenzo stopped his head caught
my hand within his own. and kissed
IL. then left the room abruptly. Il
hide the tears that my words haC
brought 20 his eyes. He was sorry fol
me. | could see. and l judged hin
rightly when | thought that the very
mystery surrounding me increased his
attachment. On the whole | was glad
an had s,en me undisguIsed. as IL wa,
a relief 10 me 10 be without; my smok
cl -l&SSe> lOT a Utns. dUu uuT1u- al
the rest Of my stay ar Aycllino l nevel
wore them cnce.
one day ! saw Lila. I had strollet
up to a quaint church situated on
rugged hill. and surrounded by hne elk
chestnut trees. where there was a pic
ture Of the Scourging OF Christ, sais
20 have been the work Of Fra Angel
ion. The little sanctuary was quit,
deserted when I entered IL. and l paus
ell on the threshold. touched by TIL
simplicity OF the place. and soothed b,
the intense silence. ] walked on rip
|, toe IN 30 the corner where hung TIT
! picture | had come TO see. and as I oil,
! so a girl passed me with a light step
! carrying & basket Of fragrant white
narcissl and ~maiden-hair fern. Some
: thing In her graceful. noiseless nov
Z mcpts caused me 10 look after her
, but she had turned her hack to I'M
aud was kneeling at the shrine conse
!. Grated Ia tine virgin. having place,
her flowers on the lowest step OF tn
|, altar. She was dressed in peasant cos
tume-a simple blue skirt and scar
let bodice. relieved by the white ker
nhf,f shat waS E,cttaR ,lS.ps Ac