The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-04-18

Inc young man had risen and was
standing by the table when he turned
from the window. He seemed greatly
refreshed, his face had lost its livid hue
Of passion and death and looked the bet
ter for tinge Of color. He met our re-
gard boldly, yet with no braggart, bulg-
ing air, but the oomposure of brave
man facing his trial with "a conscious.
ness of right upon his side.
"Iwould ask you, 4" says the don, seat
ing himself on t'other side the table,
"why you refused to do that beforeS"
"Sir," answers he, IT have lost ev-
erything in the world save some small
modicum of pride, which, being all I
have, do cherish, maybe unduly. And
so, when these unmannerly kinds took
me by the throat, calling ON me to tell
my name and business, this spirit with
in me fiaring up, could not answer
with the humility Of villain seeking to
sneak out of danger by submissive ex-
cuses
BE seated, says the don, accepting
this explanation with a bow. "How
may we call you?'
"1n Venice, replies the other, with
some hesitation, ~ was called Dario-
name given me by my fellow scholars
because my English name was not to
their taste. "
Enough" says the don. II can un-
derstand man of better fortune, as
perceive you have been, wishing in such
q position as this to retain his incognito.
There are no parks in Venice, to my
knowledge, but surely, sir, you would
not enter a palazzo there unlimited with
out some reasonable pretext"
1T would be sufficient that in such a
house us this l thought / might find
some employment for painter.
"You are painteri" says l.
"a poor one, as you see," replies
Dario, with significant glance at his
clothes.
Don Sanchez turned to me, hunching
his shoulders.
" 'Tis clear" says he, that Signor
Dario has been grossly abused by our
lady's overzealous steward You have
but to tell us, sir, what reparation we
can make you"
"I'll not refuse it," answers Dario
eagerly. lyon shall grant me permis-
sion to prove the honesty Of my story, and
something more than that. Somewhere
here," adds he, glanciDg around him,
"Id leavea tribute to the honor Of that
dear lady who brought me back to life. !"
Don Sanchez assents with bow to
this proposal, but with rueful glance
at the rich panels Of the wall. as fear
ing this painter might be as poor in tai
ent as in his clothes-the latter reflect
| ing discredit ON the former--and would
| disfgure the handsome walls with some
rude daub.
| "Ah," cries Dario, casting his eye
upon the ceiling, which was plastered
| in the italian mode and embellished
with poor design Of cherubs and clouds
"this ceiling is i'll done. l could paint 4
fresco that would less disgrace thu
room"
"You will need materials" says th'
don, laying his purse upon the table
"When you return with them, you ma.
rely upon having our lady's consent Il
your wishes.
The painter took the purse with
bow of acknowledgment, with no NOR
trouble than one gentleman would shoy
in receiving an obligation from another
and presently left us.
"Shall we see him again, think ye
senor?" asked when we were left I
ourselves.
He nodded, but with such reflect
i've, somber air that / was impelled
ask him il he lacked confidence in til
story told us by the painter,
His story may be true enough, br
whether Signor Dario be an honei
man or not is another matter. A pain
er's but u man. A ruined gentlema
will accommodate his principles to ci
cumstances side glance tn,
seemed TO say, II am a ruined gentl'
man"-"and my mind would be east
IL knew by what curious accident
the heart Of Kent. and why, fixing {
this house to seek employment, he shou
linger to the point of starvation befo
he can pluck up courage TO ask n sin
Pile question We must keep our ey
open, MIR. Hopkins. and, adds he, dro
ping his voice, "our mouths shut "
could not sleep that night for thin
ing Of housebreakeries and bloody stru
giles for dear life. for 'tis a matter
common report that this sort Of 70
bers, ere they make attack. do contri
'k TO get one Of their number into {
house that he may learn where go
goods are slowed, which part is easi,
Of attack, etc.