The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-11-14

and raising her eyes to the celllng express
to me her sorrow for what had happened,
her readiness to return to her wifely duty,
her gratitude for my good offices. In
fact, the pair could not live apart. They
loved as they had always loved, in war
like guise, but as greatly as mortals may.
When the repentant Sulpicio appeared
in the doorway, with careless and indif-
fereut air, not wishing to show emotion in
my presence, Coneetta would remember
some stitch in time that would save nine,
aid begin to rummage in her pockets for
her thimble and needlecase Then l
slipped through the door or looked out of
the window or took up book. Sulpicio
would draw near to Coneetta.
Coneetta would turn a little toward
Sulpicio. l could see with the tail of my
eye their trembling hands clasp each other,
their faces near together, lit by smiles, a
few tears running down their furrowed
cheeks. Finally they embraced fervently,
and | continued to look in another direc-
ton and talk about the weather, thinking
within myself that those tears and smiles
were altogether worthy of the springtime
of life and pair of rosy faces.
Once, however, the squall 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. Unluckily for their
well wishers, the husband and wife had
gone out of the house and by different
doors. The servant, semi-idiotic girl,
understood nothing except that master and
mistress were both out l seated myself
by the chimney corner to await their re-
turn. 1t was glorious winter's day.
My thoughts were rather amusing. Twas
trying to guess which of the pair would
come home first Which? Coneetta, no
doubt. just then heard the ''frou frou'
of gown. 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 indiscretiOn,
and she looked around to see whether some
one would come and let me know indi-
rectly, that she was using her right of
entree Meanwhile | bowed to her and
was about to speak. She forestalled me.
''Signora Coneetta is not at home" she
asked me-
Nor Signor Sulpicio am waiting
for one or the other of them.
And l was looking for one or the
other will come again later.
But the knowledge that both were away
from the house seemed to disquiet her, and
she did not move.
''If you would like to wait here, 1 will
come another time, said |.
Thanks. You probably are come in
order to
For the same reason =
invited her to take my place at the
freside, yet when she was seated there |
did not leave the room. Signora Nina
Nina very well Often from my window
above hers | had noted the color of her
hair and vainly hoped for the opportunity
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 domestic hearth. [
saw clearly the face that had been mys-
terry for me- All, the Signora Nina was
beautiful, or at all events she pleased me
so much
She saw that | remained standing and
made me courteous sign to be seated.
We waited in silence for some minutes.
No one came. Little by little that silence
weighed upon us She spoke to me of
Sulpicio, and l spoke to her of Coneetta.
When she learned that | was mediator be-
tween the old couple. she smiled slightly.
What charming smile!
Such pity, she said, ''to live 60
years together without coming TO a good
understandings
:'These are surface agitations,' OBJ
served ''They are really fond of each
other
She made little grimace and was
silent After awhile she said, What
o clock is 1T?
-Four o clock.
''It is late l must CO. | viii come
back again
sit really wants 13 minutes of 4.
Signora Nina smiled and did not go
away. 1 did not know why, but my
heart was full of joy bells ringing.
Then enter Sulpicio and Coneetta, hand
in hand.
rs peace nader Signora Nina and l
questioned with our eyes,
ut is,' the eyes of the old pair re-
sponded
Il came to pay my respects to you,
said the widow to Coneetta, "but it is late
and l ought to 60.
Coneetta replied with great good hu-
NOR, ''All the better that Signora Carlo
was here to keep you company"
At this my heart beat harder and l per-
ceived that the widow blushed She went
away. | departed very soon after.
All day long l thought of Signora Nina.
I dreamed of her all night. The next day
l passed the forenoon at the window in
order to see her and had the good fortune
to exchange good morning with her.
During the next month I never failed to
go at the same hour to the window and
always with the same happy result One
day I ventured to smile at her, the next
day she deigned to smile on me-and FIVE
months and one week later we were mar
ried
We were happy. We lived in pretty
little house sufficiently far from the mad
dening crowd Our windows were not over
looked by inconvenient neighbors. The
rooms were sunny, and our new furniture
cleaned in the light Nina's old uncle