The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1896-11-21

yO0"o VAA0W ~ v WAVA4 0A III
uncle who was q friend Of Sulpicio.
Coneeta knew that her man was very
fond OF his friends young niece and she
not only was not jealous, but begged the
aid of Nina as a peacemaker. About the
same time the fugitive husband would
return stealthily into the house, climb
the stairs and invade, painting, my
apartment. He knew that Coneetta
loved me like a sen, that a word from
me would influence her, and no trusted
to me to restore domestic tranquility.
My part as mediator was not difficult,
and I Go not think that Signora Nina
had a harder task. Is soon as Coneetta
saw me, before I spoke a word Of my
embassy, she would press my hands be-
tween her knotty ores and mutely shak-
ing her head and raising her eyes to the
ceiling express to me her sorrow for
what had happened, her readiness 70 re-
turn to her Wifely dlty, her gratitude
for my good Offices. In fact, the pair
could not live apart. They loved as they
always had loved, i'll wariike guise, but
as greatly az mortais may.
When the repentant Snlpicio appeared
il the doorway, with a careless and in
different mir, not wishing to show emo
ton in my presence, Coneatta would re-
member some stitch in time that would
save nine, and begin to rummagei III her
pockets for her thimble and needlecase.
Then ! slipped through the door or
looked out IF tho window or took up a
book. Ssllpicio would draw near to CO.
neetta.
Coneotta would turn a little toward
Sulpicln. | could see with the tail of
my eye their trembling hands clasp each
ether, their faces near together, Lit by
smiles, q few tears running down their
furrowed cheeks. Finally they embraced
fervently, aud / continued to look in
another direction and talk about the
weather, thinking within myself that
those tears and smiles were altogether
worthy of the springtime OF life and a
pair Of rosy faces.
Once, however, the sguall was so ter
rife that before the two ships entered
together into the safe harbor Of domestic
concord it took several hours and much
diplomacy. The word separation had
been pronounced by each and neither
would be the first to unsay it. Unluck-
lily for their we'll wishers, the husband
and wife had gone out Of the house and
By different doors. The servant, d semi
ldiotic girl, understood nothing except
that master and mistress We're both out.
l seated myself by the chimney corner
to await their return. It was a glorious
winters day. My thoughts were rather
amusing. / was trying to guess which
Of the pair would come home first.
Which? Coneetta, no doubt. Just then
I heard the "frou frou' Of a gown. I
rose, turned and found myself face to
face with signora Nina, the young
widow Of the first floor.
The signora appeared surprised to see
me and was quite embarrassed, all the
more because, having entered with her
accustomed familiarity, she wished not
to have the air Of committing an inais-
erection, and she looked around to see
whether some one would GENE and let
me know, indirectly, that she vas using
her right Of eatree. Meanwhile I bowed
to her and was about to speak. She fore
stalled me. 1.Signora Coneetta is not ut
home?' she asked me.
"Nor Signor Sulpicio. / am waiting
for 4 or the other Of them"
"And | was looking for one or the
othe j. twill cone again later"
But the knowledge that beth were
away from ~the'hoEse seemed todisauiet
her. and she did NOT move.
IF You would like to wait here, I
will come another time" said I.
Thanks. You probably are come in
order to-
"For the same reason
] invited her to take my place at the
Preside, yet when she was seated there
| did not leave the room. Signora Nina
did not know me. but I knew Signera
Nina very well. Often from my win
dow above hers 7 had noted the color Of
her hair and vainly hoped for the op-
portunity to learn the color Of her eyes.
Now the white little hands that / had
seen beating a tattoo on the window sill
were playing with the tongs Of the do
nestle hearth. / saw clearly the face
that had been q mystery for me- All,
the Signora Nina was beautiful. or at
all events she pleased me sc much!
She saw that I remained standing and
made me q courteous sign to be seated.
We waited in silence for some minutes.
No III came. Little by little that 81
lence weighed upon as. She spoke to me
of Sulpicio. and l spoke to her Of Co
neetta. When she learned that I was
mediator between tie old couple, she
smiled slightly. What a charming
smile!
"Such q pity" she said, Ito live GO
years together without coming to d good