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

were shared by the don, but certainly
our misgivings entered Moll's little
head. Nay, rather her romantic DISPOSE
ton did lead her, when she heard our
narration, to conceive that this mystic
rious Daiio might be some wandering
genius whose work upon our ceiling
would make the court forever glorious
And while in this humor she babe me
go to Simon, whose presence she would
not tolerate in her house, and make him
acquainted with her high displeasure,
and Furthermore to command that he
should make satisfactory apology to
Dario upon his return. So to him |
went, and he, wringing his hands in
anguish. deploref that his best endeavors
to serve his mistress served only to in
cense her the more against him. But for
his apology, he declared that was made
the moment he heard of the gentleman s
release, at the same time that he re-
stored to him his hat and pocketbook
which had fallen from his pocket.
This did somewhat reassure me, know
ing full well that Simon would not have
given up this book without first ac-
quainting himself with its contents and
urging that had there been anything in
it to incriminate him he had certainly
laid it before his mistress for his own
justification.
A couple of days after this as Don
Sanchez and were discoursing in the
great avenue Dario presents himself,
looking all the better for decent suit
Of clothes aud more prosperous condi-
ton, and, Moll joining us at that mo-
ment, he makes her very handsome
obeisance, and standing uncovered be.
fore her begs to know if it is her will
that he should paint the ceiling of her
dining hall
As he spoke the color rose on his
cheek, and a shaft of sunlight falling
on his curling hair, which shone with
the luster of health, made him look as
comedy man as ever l did see and q
good five years younger than when he
stood before us in the extremity of dis
tress.
"Sir, " says Moll, "were you my debt
or as much as l am yours l could not
I ask for better payment.
Don Sanchez put an end to this pretty
exchange of courtesies-which may be
considered overmuch as between a lady
of Moll's degree and one who might
| turn out to be no more than an indiffer
ent painter at the best-by proposing
! that Dario should point out what dis
| position he would have made for his con
venience in working. So he went with
in doors, and there Dario gave orders t
our gardener, who was handy sort o
Jack of all trades, what pieces Of furni
ture should be removed, how the wall
and floor should be protected, and how
a scaffold should be set up for him t,
work on. And the gardener promisin,
to carry out ali these instructions in tn
course of the day, Dario took his leav
of us in very polished style, saying h
would begin his business the next morn
ing betimes.
Sure enough, we were awoke next da,
by scraping below, and coming down
we found our painter in q skullcap an,
q smock that covered him to his heel
upon his scaffold, preparing the ceiling
in very workmanlike manner. And +
see him then, with his face and bear,
thickly crusted over with mess of dr.,
plaster and paint, did l think somewha
dispel those fanciful illusions which on
Moll had fostered-she doubtless ex
pecting to find him in very graceful
attitude and beautiful to look at Great
ing picture as if by enchantment. He
modification was increased later in tn
day when, having invited him on he
insistence to dine at our table, he de
clined (civilly enough), saying he ha
brought his repast with him, and W
presently found him seated astride on
of his planks with a pocketknife in on
hand and thumb piece of bread an
bacon in the other, which he seemed t
be eating with all the relish in tn
world.
why, he is naught but a commo
laborer," says Mol, disgusted to Sc
him RECALLING himself in this fashion a
we returned to our room. "A prett
picture we are like to get for all thi
mess and inconvenience
And her idol being broken, as it were
and all her fond fancies dashed, sh
would not us much look at him agai
for keeping away from the room, not
be reminded of her folly.
However, on the third day Dario ser
to ask if she would survey his outline
and decide whether the design please
her or not. For this purpose he ha
pushed aside his scaffold, and here W
saw a perspective done on the ceiling i
charcoal, representing vaulted roc
} with an opening to the sky in the mic
die, surrounded by little balcony wit
trailing plants running over it an
flowers peeping out betwixt the balui