The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-17

enticing retreat; and alone, with the aid of
her one daughter, and now and then help
ing hand from those of her neighbors. she
carried on the whole business. And we'll
she might, for no man could boast harder
muscles nor heavier frame OF medium
hight, yet when compared her width showed
but the discrepancy of some few inches.
She possessed a fat, red face. black eyes, and
an expansive mouth.
AT this moment, with sleeves rolled up
and skirt pinned high above the white
stocklnged legs and wooden, heelless zocoli.
by which her large feet were only partially
shed, her face was unusually red, and her
black eyes shot fire as they fell upon Cecilia,
leaning with unconscious grace upon the
stone paraDet across the way, talking, or
rather listening, to a young Euglishmani Of
superior class
Santa Pazienza! The girl does try one!n
growled Maria. What does she do now.
forgetting her work PazzaI She always
was bit lacking in the head Cecili-a!"
The girl turned the beauty of her face
and figure was astounding al first sight; ire
sistble upon nearer scrutiny. A rare bit of
that complication OF races so common among
the NeapoIitans. Greek in outline and fea-
ture, save for the Roman voluptuousness of
mouth, and the eyes, in whose dark splendor
lurked the impenetrable depths and quick
fired passion OF Spain.
"VeDete quill" cried her mother for SO the
woman called herself, though the strongest
bond between them was the oath by which,
for large sum, she had sworn to accept and
guard the child as her own.
Cecilia started to obey, but her companion
detained her.
Wait" he said, with gentle eagerness
Tell me when we shall meet again?n
Who knows!" replied the girl, with
shrug of her shapely shoulders, and size left
him aud approached Maria.
"Diavolo!" cried that formidable person.
age. do you see how the sun sinks?
Why do l feed you? To go gadding with
Jorestiere the whole day long? May the
saints punish you and spoil that pretty face
that's as useless as bottOmless jug!n
Cecilia's eyes blazed; she turned upon the
woman; and then, suddenly cooling, went
to gather up the rest of the clothes; but rs
she did so she fingered little hand of pink
coral, which hung, together with other anu
lets, on brass chain around her neck, and
murmured a short averting prayer
When she was outside once more, hanging
up the clothes, the young foreigner came
or-oih ~ b'@is tali III iOn-VOlCtu. broken
Italian: 1t is wrong, my dear girl, for You
to throw away your life in this way. Few
women can boast such beauty as yours: Won
were made for something better than this!
Does not your heart tell you? Comel Com
troll that indomitable pride, which, though
beautiful, will be your destruction"
The girls arms trembled, and her ewes
glowed with condensed fire.
Do you not sometimes long" the man
continued, for change from this drudgery;
for life-real. higher, purer? Why, child,
this is not life! 1t is mere cruel existence.
No better than yonder donkey's lott And
are you willing TO endure it? You, who
might hold the rens Of a worldi Wasting
yourself for herd of beasts; destroying,
unseen, the glorious gifts which God has
given you!"
Cecilia, with arms akimbo, gazed, half
forgetiul of the speakers presence, TO where
the far-off sea kissed a bluer sky, her eyes
pensive, and her dark, straight brows low
cred.
"Pm no better than my mother,n she
said, slowly, as if trying to convince her
self What she is, I'll be; God IS put me
here and I'm here!"
The young man came nearer, and spoke
lower: Cecilia, listen. / don't believe that
woman Is your mother! There's no like
ness, and besides, Eve heard -
The girl looked at him sc0rnfuily.
"Hush," she said. "You have no right
TO say thisl Let me alone; i am happy as
j ami"
But, Cecilia, your voice! Think Of your
voice! With that and your beauty you
could conquer the worldi"
The girls face softened, her cheeks glowed,
her breast heaved. Her companion. saw,
and became bolder.
Don't throw yourself away, fair girl
All, BeIiezza! / could make you so happyin
His eyes grew soft and tender. Cecilia
looked up, and her full, red lips quivered a
little as the sun fell aslant her lovely face
Her companions eyes became passionately
eager. He leaned nearer.
81 will give you eyerythingi" he said.
"Only come; give up this wretched exist
ence. i am rich; we shall go far away,
where all is beautiful and happy, and YOU
shall be queen. People will bow before you,
and you will live in palace of white mar