The broad ax., 1896-03-21
NIC0LO'S REMORSE.

Nicolo, swart, dark, indolent, lying up
% his back and looking up into the sky:
the sky, cloudless, brazen, and the muddy,
yellow river al aglint with reflections OF
the sun; the stiffness OF q semitrupical
afternoon, with nothing to hear but the
ripple Of the water and its splash against
the boat; the monotony Of a semitropical
7arsh, with nothing to see but the parched
grasses, the swirling eddies Of the river
and the cloudless heavens. And Nioolo,
with one arm resting lazily across the till
or, keeps the vessel in midstream, drift
ing toward the gulf, and watches the
wreaths from his cigarette as they mist
themselves away into nothing.
Nicolo's face wears q look OF triumph,
and his eyes sparkle with the pleasure of
his thoughts. 1t Is true that a shadow
crosse It now and again, but he losses his
head, and the shadow fades away. And
Nicolo, In his lugger, drifts toward the
gulf, seemingly happy. The dull brown
waste Of marshland seems iutermfnable.
tt stretches 20 far away on either hand in
such unbroken, dreary levels. Once In
awhile frightened bird darts from the
waters edge to wheel and circle out of
sight. The whisper Of the solitude seems
20 creep across the surface Of the earth.
But Nicolo Needs neither bird nor solitude
nor anything except the passing of his
reverie, which Ii sweet to him.
The sun slips down toward the west.
The glare OF the day fades into the azure
OF the evening. Along the edge of the
horizon blue and purple and red and GOLD.
en- clouds begin to stretch themselves away
scross the sky. Solitary knots of trees
grow black against the flush and glow Of
the evening heavens, and over everything
the shadow OF the coming night creeps on
space.
kioolo bestirring himself to set his
iightS watches the gathering blackness of
he heavens- His smile Is gone now. The
ooming OF the darkness seems to overcast
bis Spirits. He glances furtively about
him a. be busies himself with the boat.
although alone, he seems to look around
lor some one whom he will not welcome.
inus MS boat arrives at the place where
ne waters OF the river are lost and forgot |
an In the waters Of the sea, and passing
mt from the combining shores rides WITH
ong, sweeping motions upon the swell Of /
he mightier deep.
Inc night shuts out the earth, the beay-
ms and the waters There Is a terror I'm i
ne coming Of q tempest which copouers
ne mlghtiest Of minds. The Kissing of Il
ne raindrops as they strike upon the wa
ers has q venom Of its own. The heavy
enowing OF the clouds as they discharge
heir passions Of lightning, the voice Of l
ne rushing storm winds and the inshing /
the sea subdue and ovsraue the most
owerful nature Of man.
Nicolo. crouching By his tiller. watches
10 Increasing anger Of the night In terror.
o him the high WAVES are peopisd with
'ousand mysterious beings, End he wit
ssses tho gathering tempest with super
itious awe ~ he guides the way Of his
,ssel over the rising and foanine waves.
The pause Of nature before she strikes
% first herce blow In anger touches his
Ipersfifious nature and makes him tram
. - be COVERS In his boat. But the deaf
ing crash OF the elements follows quick
, and the boat darts forward into cal
On Of sesthing foam, into Q fery circle
night, and into mighty chaos Of dis
ruAnf sound Now IL II In the valley Of
9 waters and around ft the leapinR
ounfains Of waves dance and dar. M
ard % what seem towering heiahfs.
nosphoras giimmers from their sides and
1ks me- eyts a untold spirits Of ths
urn NOW che vesssl pauses upon the
snesf q the htiicwh and from All Of the
rounding winters fioolo ssss . myriad
Rhastly fsoex.
NE anger of fear SELVES upon him. and
cursz them, while HIS hand cIutchee
9 tIler desperately, and he guides BIZ
~ crzt ~ instinct The evsr inc.s.s-