Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-04-03


was. Luigi was only flesh and bloUd,
and young hlood at that.
"Luigi," lie Logan after the silence
Of the moment, els this girl Of yours a
suitable partner to accompany you on
your upward career through life? You
will stand Mt tho bead Of your art, aud
you will move in the highest circles Of
European society.
"She, Whatever her post in life now,
may be Ill fitted to grace the drawing
rooms Of the ~aristocrucy or to sit by
your side in the carriage that draws
you to youI mansion.
"You love her now she is everything
to you. Time may be, however, when
you may be led to make odious compar-
isons between her simplicity and the
winning faces Of beautiful women"
my kind benefactor, that - impossi-
bio. 1 shall always love Maggie as
much rs ] do now"
Jabez Wilson sighed. It was a sad
blow to his vanity and to his peace of
mind.
Think It over, lad" no began.
"when tho first pangs Of grief at part
ing are passed, you will forget about
your lowly girl in the wbirlwind of
your fame, and she will con put you
from her mind Come to me tomorrow
and let mo know what you intend do
ing"
The next dly Mr.. Wilson received a
visit from Nnggie. She came in tears
TO beg his colisont, his heart was touch
ed at the sight Of a woman in sorrow,
and reviling himself for n cold blooded
monster he told her in IN outburst CT
generosity to go and marry Luigi as
mauy times as she liked.
After q twelvcmonth spent in Italy
Luigi became perfect. His first appear
ance in public was made as Gerardo,
and rs he ~retreated behind the curtains
that night old Jaboz Wilson waited to
press his hands and to tell him that his
dream was at last realized.
Jabez Wilson walked out of his solicit
or's office penniless. The bank Of which
he was principal shareholder had failed,
and this, in conjunction with u few
minor disasters, had robbed him Of
every penny he had possessed.
He had never in his life done a stroke
Of work and was not even capable Of a
clerical position.
The apartments no had occupied were
given up. The club was ncver again to
see him or hear what had become Of
him. The fine old wines in his cellar
fetched sufficient to pay his long stand
ing rent, with q surplus to keep him in
food and lodgings for a few weeks
that was all.
From his scGnty store no drew q pen.
ny every day to search tho papers fol
news Of Luigi's success. He could not
bring himself to write to him and to tel
him everything. 1t was pleasant enough
to know that the man whom ho had
dragged from obscurity should at that
moment be making Europe vibratt
with the splcDdor of his voice. One
night as he crouched over the fire in the
dosshouse he f%requented reading tho pa.
per a short paragraph at the foot of {
column caught his eye.
EARLY yesterday morning the body
of q woman was found in the Crane
canal at Venice. She is said to be the
vito of Signor Luigi, tho well known
singer, with whom sho is supposed tC
have led a wretched life. There are NJ
marks of violence on the body, and tho
authorities have passed q verdict of sui
eide while temporarily insane"
Jabez Wilson's forecast had been real
lied only too fully, and the broker
down man cried like o child.
A week later he stood outside the dos
house with exactly a penny in his pocket
he stood wondering what he should
do, when his musical instincts, whicl
had been crushed and had lain dorman
for SO long, arose within him. He huI
ried along the street, entered a shol
and purchased a tin whistle with hi
one remaining copper.
An hour later and he walked slowl
along the middle of the road, his thread
bare coat buttoned up around his neck
an old battered hat pressed tightly dow
over the struggling gray hair that ble'
in tho cold wind, ard his dry liI
pressed against the whistle.
He was playing Home, Sweet Home
that was all he knew.
In front of a respondent hotel b
stood and played, with one foot ON I'll
pavement. A tall, black bearded gentle
man, evidently a foreigner, wrapped !
a priceless fur coat, came down ii
steps Of the hotel, in company with
beautiful woman, under tho full glal
Of the lamp.
Instinctively tho instrument fell froi
the lips Of the player as he muttere
half aloud:
"Luigil"
The Italian pcercd into the pail
pinched, upturned face.
$50 You have come to this, ehY" !
! asked in a whisper, lest his companic
should hea:, at the same time drawn
half a crown from his pocket "my N
: fortunate friend"
He turned abruptly, half ashame
when the woman by his side told hi
, to come away from the beggar.
8 81 come, Mirand." Then, as she to-
\ - 49,