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

~Plauding and Encouraging His En-
forts.
, hers IF 1 could. my mind would
somewhat lightened of its burden
"a burden grown heavier since Gui-
dos death, for from his blood had
sprung forth a new group of Furies,
that dashed me on TO my task with
scorpion whips Of redoubled wrath
and passionate ferocity. Yet If l
could do one good action now-would
il not be as a star shining in the midst
OF my sou, S =, >rm and darkness, Just
then Lila laughed-how sweetlyi-
the laugh OF a very young child. What
amused her now? / looked, and saw
that she had taken the axe from VIM
cenZo, and lifting ii in her little hands
was endeavOring bravely to initiate
his strong and telling stroke; he mean
while stood aside with nj air Of smiling
superiority, mingled with a good deal
Of admiration for the slight active
figure aTrayed in the blue kirtle and
scarlet bodice, on which the warm
rays of the late sun fell with so much
amorous tenderness. Poor little LiIiai
a penknife would have made as much
impression as her valorOus blows pro-
duced on the intlexible, snarled, knot
~ old stump she eSSayed TO split in
twain. Flushed and GREATNESS with
her efforts, she looked prettier than
ever, and at last. baffled. she resigned
the axe to VincenZo laughing gaily AZ
her incapacity for wood cutting and
daintily shaking her apron free from
the chips and dust, till a call from her
mother caused her to run swiftly into
the house, leaving Vincenzo worEigg;
away as arduously as yer l went up
10 him; he saw me approaching and
paused in his labors with an air OF
slight embarrassment
You like this sort of work, amico?'
/ said gently.
IAN old habit, ecceIlenZa-nothing
more. II reminds me of the DAYS OF
my youth. when / worked for my
mother. An! "A pleasant place ii was
the old home just above Fiesole." His
eyes grew pensive and sad. 1T is all
gone now-fnished. That was before
| became a soldier. But n thinks OF
Il sometimes"
Il understand. And no doubt you
would be glad TO return to the life OF
your boyhoodg'
He looked a little startled.
Not to leave you, e~ccellenZa.'
Il SIullcu Is-.-tT SdulN. MOI 10 leave
me2 Not IL you welded Lilli MONTH";
His olive cheek flushed, but he shook
his head.
impossible! She would not listen
to me. She is a child
she will soon be a woman. believe
me. a little more of your company
VIII make her So But there is plenty
of time. She is beautiful. as YOU said:
1 ord snVna-hfny H.ro- 49, -. -
innocenI-think of that. yincenzo, Do
you know how rare a thing innocence
is-in a woman? Respect il as you re-
spect God; let her young life be sa-
cred TO you"
He glanced upward reverertly.
"Eccellenza, / would as o tear the
Madonna from her affairs as yex or
brighten Liiii".
/ smiled AID said no more. but
turned into the house. From that mo-
ment | resolved to let this little love
idyl have a fair chance OF success.
Therefore l remained AT Aveliino ng \
longer than / had at first intended
not for my W. sake. hut for Vim
~cenzo's- He served me faithfully. he
should have his reward. | took a
1 pleasure in noticing that my efforts 10
-N u.s. N1d~f NtAE hhk dAtA-tAleE
wasted. / spoke with Lilli OFTEN on
indifferent matters that interested her,
and watched her ce.s.s..- when ste
vas all unaware OF my observant
gaze. With me she was as frank and
fearless as a tame robin: but after some
days / found that she grew shy Of
mentioning the name of Vincenzo: that
she blushed when he approached hes,
tha. she was tanned of asking him To
do anything for her; and from al
these little signs l knew her mind "a
one knows 10y fhe rosy streaks In the
sky that the sunrise is near.
one Afternoon ! Called the SiEHora
Mond 10 my o She came. sur
prlsed and a little anxious. Was any
thing wrong with the Saryieeg re-
assured her housewifely scruples. and
came 10 the point AT once.
Il would speak TO you OF ronr child,
the little Lilli," l said kindly. Have
you ever thought that she ;ss mar
ryy'
Her dark bold eyes filed with tears
and her lips quivered.