The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-05
BEFORE THE SHRINE.

The sun had barely risen out of the SEQ
when tho sexton opened the doors Of ths
pretty church Of San Giaoomo on the littls
island Of Chioggia, which the Canal
Grande separates from Venice. II was
holy week, and the pious islanders gathered
for early mass.
The space within was cold and gray.
The sun had not yet climbed the height Of
Che stained glass windows of the holy edi-
fce A thin cloud Of incense fioated
around the marble pillars. The perpetual
light giowed In deep red bowl before the
image of the Madonna, and the worshipers
began to fill the worm eaten, wooden
pews
They were nearly all women, for the
young and hardy men Of Chioggia are
out on the sea, saying their morning pray
ers under the dome Of the sky. By the
side Of the wife Of some poor fisherman
kneels the judges spouse In elegant attire.
Not far from her sits the pilots daughter
muffed In heeoy shawls to ward off the
draft that comes in between the chinks
and cracks in the windows and doors.
In the first pew before the image of the
Madonna crouched on this morning In
holy week slender young woman of ex-
traordinary beauty. She was oblivious Of
her surroundings. Her head was bowed
over her folded hands, and from her eyes
tear trickled now and then. She did not
see the old vegetable huckster perched on
stool the sexton had provided expressly
for her, because she could no longer kneel
Nobody needed the girl, except this old
crone, who watched her curiously. The
MI, .,aI hi. I.
her. 1t was Lucia, handsome dark eyed
Lucia, her cousin Enrichetta's only daugh-
ter. The silver bracelet around the dim
pied wrist was hers. The old woman
would have known her anywhere with
that trinket on her arm.
Lucia seemed in great despair. Sora
Biagia wondered. Could 1t be true, what
the woman of Chioggia were saying, that
Lucia was In love with the fair haired
German painter who had employed her
for his model? Had she been faithless to
Filippo, who had asked her to marry him,
and whose wife she had promised to bep
Now the Tedesco has gone his way, and
she kneels in despair before the image Of
the MadQpna-the old, old story
Sora Biagia had always been fond Of
Lucia, and her heart ached for the sorrow
ing creature, but Of late the girl had made
30 confidante of her old relative. When
mass was over and the people dispersed,
the old woman waited patiently for Lucia,
who was still lost in devout prayer. At
last she arose. brushed the wavy strains Of
her black hair from her forehead, and cast
last, imploring look upon the image Of
the Madonna.
"Hcy, Lucial" cried Sora Biagia.
On the church steps behind her stood the
old woman.
what will you have?" queried the girl
with low, oppressed voice.
II am sorry, Lucia mia," whispered
Sora Biagia, laying her hand on the young
woman's shoulder II wish could help
you. Don't take 1t too much to hearth II
Filippo loves you, he'll come back to marry
you, believe me, Lucial'
''Hut he cannot, Sora Biagin," moancd
sAo girl. ''He cannot come back to me-
Filippo is dead, drowned-and l an the
cause Of his death"
She buried her face in her hands and
sobbed pitifully.
'Oh, Holy Virgin" murmured the old
woman, crossing herself "You do not
know what you are talking about. You
are losing your mind"
Its true, only too true" cried Lucia
vehemently. II will tell you ALL Sora
Biagia. Filippo was jealous of the stranger
for whom l sat as model. l was foolish
to 1irt with him, but have never wronged
Filippo-ths Holy Mother knows! 1t vexed
me to have him SO sure Of me, and when
he told me that he was the only man
could ever love I laughed at him. Then
re came back and asked me to marry him
But was obstinate, Sora Biaga, and said
that would think about it. We had q
quarrel and parted in anger, yet we love
each other dearly. Filippo went to sea
Hgain, though it was his intention to re.
main at home after our marriage. Last
aight came the news that the Speranze
was wrecked in the English channel She
was Filippo's boat and everybody on board
was lost. l am not weeping for the stran-
ger, Sora Biagin, but for Filippo, whom l
will never see againln
The girl broke completely down, sobbing
out her grief on the old ~eman's shoulder.
Are you sure that all the crew were
lost, Lucia2 l sec old Sor Frediano, the
pilot, standing in his door. He Is sure to
know, Hey, Sor Frediano, hey Any
news from the Speran2af'
"Tho Spcran2a's gone, but word has just
been received that the crew was saved.
They are on their way home now"
A cry Of joy broke from Lucia's lips.
Half laughing, half weeping, she sank
upon the stone steps Of the church.
Thou hast heard my prayer, Madon-
ma. have not sent him to his DEATH"
On Easter morning there was great re-
joicing on the pretty little island of Chi
oggia. The crew from the Speranza came
home just rs the Easter bells called the
worshipcrs to church.
On the wharf, ncnr enough for the wa
ter TO dalnpen her pretty shoes, stood Lucia
with Sora Biagiu.
AS the boat drew nen: that brought the
young lover home the old woman asked:
What will you say to Filippo should he
ask you again to become his wife!f'
mot n single word, Sora Biaga. I
will throw my arms around his neck and
kiss him He will know"
At Whitsuntide Eilippo and Lucia wore
married before the image Of the Madonna,
at whose shrine the girl had poured out
hergricf and implored her hGlp.-St Louis
Rpuublic