Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-04-25

tarily. He took the medal, which was
bronze, representing Astarte on one
side and three sprigs of grain on the
reverse, emblematic of the fertility Of
the island of Malta
II should like to send this medallion
to England" he asserted, after
pause, with assumed fervor of en-.
thusiasm
"And this gold Laminsl" added the
grandfather, eagerly receiving the
coin of payment in his shriveled palm
81 found it myself near the Grand
Port"
u hope the gentleman does not con-
slider us too ungrateful," interposed
Dolores, with sorrowful and de-
preciating dignity, which was not UNI
becoming to her dimpled youth I'VE
Go not forget the service he has done
us in helping grandpapa home from the
temple"
The old man looked at her with an
irascible impotence, resenting frivol'
GUS interruption.
"Your grandpapa must be very
clever" said the officer, thrusting the
medal into his pocket, with every APP
pearance of rejoicing in its possession,
and rising to depart.
Either tine old beggar is poor, or he
is fond of money" was his mental adj
dition of decision.
Would you accept Florio?" sug-
gested the girl, holding the little
bundle of canine life toward him,
with graceful gesture of deprecating
submission.
Lieut.. Curzon shook his head,
caressed the tiny animal, without
accepting the gift, and replied
Thanks. Flor.o would be
sorry to exchange masters and knock
about on shipboard"
Forio covered back in the arms of
Dolores, inexpressibly relieved by the
decision.
81 should like Maltese rose"
supplemented the visitor, CHANGING at
the bud in the girls black tresses mo
flower is sweeter."
She detached the rose and gave it to
him. Her face had cleared once more,
and gratitude beamed ON her stormy
brow.
FAREWELL said the blue eyes of the
young Englishman.
"Farewellv' replied the dark eyes
of Dolores, flash of moclSery CLEAN
ing in their liquid DEPTHS.
Lieut. Curzon had scarcely quilted
the boundary limit of the garden when
he was joined by DR.. Busatti.
you are returning to Valletta?" he
inferred, bowling courteously. Per
NIT me to show you better path"
Thanks" assented the officer in q
somewhat dry tone
The two young men walked on to.
gether. The Englishman, with an in
herent sentiment of national super
iority, found the Maltese tall, thin
and slightly cadaverous, with GER
tain resemblance to plants which have
grown up in the shade of damp
palace wall, or in a church cloister.
The bearing of DR.. Busatti was in.
offensive, even ingratiating. His te-
nacious pride in his native island be-
came speedily apparent in the desul.
tory conversation which ensued. He
spoke of historical sites with enthu-
siasn He dwelt no less warmly on
the delicious oranges and apricots
ripened here to send all over Europe;
the cauliAowers, so superior in size
and flavor to those of Italy, Holland,
or the Island of Cyprus; the delicacy
of the artichoke, pea, and bean, in
perpetual supply for the need of man.
Lieut. Curzon, in rueful remem.
brance of tough beef and mutton, as
we'll as of months of sirocto, lent an
distracted ear and monosyllablc as
sent.
Then the other adroitly men.
toned the persons just quilted,
the eccentric grandfather and the
maiden Dolores The old man, long
a resident of Malta, was afflicted with
a malady of the heart of which he was
ignorant, and should therefore avoid
all excitement, while he appeared to
be consumed by restless fever of agi-
tation, wearing alike to mind and
body. A similarity of tastes in study
had led to an acquaintance between
the father of DR.. Busatti and the Eng.
lishman, whose name was Jacob Deal
try. Under the circumstances, it was
to be expected that all means of sell
ing the little objects flor the most part
worthless) which he picked up should
be eagerly embraced. Jacob Dealtry
was poor, and possibly struggle for
mere existence induced the restless
ness Of temperament characteristic Of
him.
Such was the volunteered explana-
ton of Giovanni Battista Busatti
The town gained, the young men
separated, with mutual GOODNESS Of
civility,
DIR. Busatti was convinced that the
officer had placed the rose given to
him by Dolores in his pocketboolk, as
he did not wear it in his button-hole.
MAY San Gregorio confound all
Englishmen!" muttered the Maltese
as he pursued his way.
AS for Lieut.. CurzOn, dislike of the