The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-05-29

nome. ail't Sllt 'Etctu tlltlh on ntl llPl'
and walked off easily with 4 load which
would have tired many man. As she
went up the mountain, she noticed how
dark it grew. and how the amethyst
tint faded from the tall peak far up the
valley, and a sullen gray came over it
and then a heavy cloud. 1--WE shall
have a bad Storm she thought
BY the time she reached the house
it was quite dark except for an occasio-
nal flash of lightning. The candle was
already lighted in the small Kitchen
and Aunt Nita lifted up her face from
the blazing charcoa-fre to greet her
niece.
''Thcrc, Aunt Nita. | have brought
thee fine lot of chestnnts. enough for
many meals of polenta."
1T is well. One needs plenty OF
food for thy father and two hungry
boys. Were there many at the gather
ing"
YES. Where is Paolina?"
"Why,I think she is somewhere play
ing"
IL do not see her. Here are her
little playthingS."
''Perhaps she went upstairs re-
piled her aunt, stirring the food in the
food in the queer earthenware pan.
Zaira ran up the stone steps, calling:
'Paolina! Little sister. Zaira is GOMEZ
The only answer was the heavy pattcr-
ING of the rain on the red. tiled roof
She ran quickly down again.
''Shc is not there. Aunt Mia. Oh.
why did leave her.
BY this time even the phlegmatic
old woman was aroused. Il will 90 to
meet thy father" said she, land thou
go up the road. 1t may be that the
child wandered 4 little way, and got
caught in the rain. She certainly was
her moment ago" she added to here
self. for Zaira was already gone
With flying feet the girl FASTENED
up the muddy road. The rain fell in
torrents. Heavy thunder rcverberat-
eel from mountain to mountain. and
vivid Ii ghtning lit up the valley. At
intervals Zaira stopped. put her hand
to her mouth, and called: ''Paolina!
Paolna" The whistling wind bought
no reply and the tempest roared around
her. Once she glanced down the cliff,
into the blackness below, but shranll
back in terror. She surely would not
90 near that; she had been warned SO
often. Darling baby sister. Zaira drew
in her breath with 4 quick sob.
Near the Ponte Nero. or Black Bridge
there stood in oldcn times a monastery
for English priests. The walls were
crumblin@ into ruin, and the monks
were dispersed; but the exquisite roses
and vines which they had planted in
the garden had spread far beyond their
original boundaries, and grew will
among the bramblcs on the mountain
this thcket of roses to the river. Under
IN overhan"ing rock Zaira and Pac-
lima had cleared little nook to sit in
and had spent many Il afternoon there,
Watching the sparkling water. As the
anxious girl neared this place, she
called again: ''Palina! Little sistcr!''
and to her great JOY distinyuiShod Il
above the noise of the rushing river Il
plantivc cry. In Il mowent she had
her in her arms. ''Ah! carrissima.
sweetest little sister have | found thee?
Madonna in Heaven thank thcc.'
The baby cluug close to her sister,
throwing her arms about her neck.
"Zaira. | WAS so lonesome | Games
down mere to play, an it rained an
got all black, an | kyed."
As they stood Il moment, close to
the borders of the foaming, scething
stream. Zaira 5 attention was attacted
by something" up the valley. 1t rcscm-
blcd a mountain Of snow in the deep
darkness. In another instant Il mighty
roaring torrent of water descended
upon them.
As not infrcqucntly happens there
had been a cloud-burst in the heart OF
the Apcnnincs. The water from the
various mountain streams had poure'
into the little river. and Iaira. with
tiny Paolna claspcd tight in her arms
was ut the mercy of the Hood. 1t tos $
cI her hithrr and thithcr; it beat upon
and bruised her. but she retained
consciousness. She threw out her right
arm. and claSping it over Il large
branch that was floating besides her
huoycd herself up Il little. There was
one hop2,-thc foot hridE Did it still
stand! \ flash Of lightning illuminated
the valley. Yes, there it was. | her
strength could mold out just Il little
longer. If God would give her the
chance to grasp the railing. She was
strong: PERHAPS? 'rhaps-shc conld
save Paolina, ut last.
Another flash cam. They w.rr
there. LooSanin1 her hold upon the
branch, she threw her arm over the
rail The water dragged her under tn G
bridge, but her young arm was strong:
it had carried many heavy load.
Gradually she was able to lit the un-