The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-05-29
Highest of all in Leavenng Power-Laes US Report
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bridge, which was still above water
Then she slowly drew hcrsplfup. The
current was very powerful; the frail
bridge was already tottering. Blindlv
she gropcd for the child, lifted her again
in her arms. and hurried to the shore.
The river was rising higher every min
ute; with crash the foot bridge broke
away, and was swept down the stream
Zaira gained solid ground and stop
ped. Her strength was almost exhaus-
ted. Can | ever get thee home, my
| darling:' she murmurcd, looking down
at her little sister. Not flicker of life
was there in the sweet face, not a warm
breath could be felt.
Slowly she toiled up the steep path.
| The fierce mountain storm had already
passed down the valley, and between
the ragged clouds the moon was peep
ing out. How long the way was! She
would stop just Il moment by this
shrine and rest. She had no strength
to pray. She sat down on the wet
stones: then she seemed to sleep.
\ kind voice sounded in her ears.
''Givc me the child, Zaira. Hold her
not so tight in thine arms. will care
for her.
No, take her not away from me-"
begged the girl, piteously. II do not
know who you are, but cannot give
her to you. My mamma gave her to
me, and my mamma is with the angels
Perhaps they have taken Paolina too.
Let me hold her in my arms
"Well, have thy way, poor child
Lean on me. am Teresa Calvi, who
talked with thee at the chestnut-pick-
ing this afternoon Lean hard on me. -
So they went up the hill,-the VIC
man bearing the weight ofthe exhaust
ed girl, the little child lying helpless in
| her sisters arms.
As they entered the house, where the
| dim light showed an awe-struck oror D,
Zaira turned to the woman. "Take
| her. she said, you are good. | can
do no more" and fell tainting.
The next day Paolina played around
| the front door as usual, while old Aunt
Nita kept careful watch. Thou shalt
not wander away again, carina.' she
said
Up stairs, in the dark attic-room,
lay Zaira, tcnderly nursed by the wo-
man whom she had so much dreaded
Long weeks she lay on that narrow,
hard bed, helpless, but Watching eager
ly every movement of the new mamma
who was so good to her and Paolna
One day she whispered: Il will 90
gladly to the mill, when | get welf for
| know that thou wilt care for my
baby" And the woman smiled back,
with her brown eyes filled with tears
She knew that never would Zaira 90 to
the mill.
The spring brought fresh green
leaves to the chestnuts and olives, pur-
pie and golden FIGS were gathered and
strung in feStoons along the veranda
in the warm sunshine, the red toma-
toes were dried for the soup on the
stones in front Of the doorway, the Eng
iish had come and gon" for another
summer. before Zaira was able to 90
about again. But her right arm hung
helphess by her side. The tendon
which had been torn in the struggle he
tween the rushing water and the slcn-
der Girl has never healed.
Tourists visiting this most beautiful
and romantic part Of the Apennies Of
ten notice Il woman sitting in front of
the cottage perchcd upon the noun
tain side. Near her a halcGrown girl
plays, occasionally running to kiss the
older woman atcctionately. IL love
thee. Zaira, she says, land, when
get big enough, am going to work
III the mill, and take care of thee, Just
rs thou didst me-"-Home Joa,uai.