Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-07-01

sprung to my eyes. l brushed them
away in haste.
"Fy on thee, SaDro: VIC n man. L
said, addressing myself angrily. "Of
what matter after all whether hairs
are black or white? What matter
Row the face changes, SO long as the
heart is true? For moment, perhaps,
thy love may grow pale at sight of
thee; but when she knows OF thy
sufferings, wilt thou not be dearer TO
her than ever? Will not one Of her
soft embraces recompense thee for all
thy past anguish, and suffice to make
thee young again."
And thus encouraging my sinking
spirits, quickly arrayed myself in the
Neapclitan coral-fsher's garb. The
trousers we're very loose, and were
provided with two long deep pockets,
convenient receptacles, which easily
contained the leather bags Of gold and
jewels | had taken from the brigand's
coffin. When my hasty toilet was COM
pleted | took another glance at the
mirror, this time with half smile.
True, | was greatly altered but after
all l did not look so bad. The fisher
mans picturesque costume became me
well; the scarlet cap sat jauntily on
the snow-white curls that clustered so
thickly over my forehead, and the
cCr seriousness I had of approaching
happiness sent little Of tn old fear
less luster back into my sunken eyes.
Besides, | knew | should not always
have this care-worn and wasted APP
pearance; rest, and perhaps a change
OF air, would infallibly restore the
loundness to my face and the fresh
ness to my complexion; even my white
locks might return to their pristine
color, such things had been; and sup
posing they remained white? well,-
there were many who would admire
the peculiar contrast between young
mans face md an old mans hair.
Having finished dressing, | unlocked
the door Of the stuffy little cabin and
called the old rag-picker. He came
shuffling along with his head bent, but
he threw up his hands in astonish-
ment. exclaiming,
"Santissima Madonna, But you are
a fine mana fine mani Eth, eh, Holy
Joseph, What height and breadth,
A pity-a pity you arc old; you must
young"
Half In joke, and half to humor
him in his fancy for mere muscular
force, I rolled up the sleeve of my
jacket to the shoulder, saying, lightly.
ooh. as for being strong! There is
plenty of strength in me still, you see"
He stared; laid his yellow fingers
on my barred arm with kind Of
Ghoul-like interest and wonder, and
felt the muscles of 1t with childish,
almost maudlin admiration.
Beautiful, beautiful" he mumbled.
Like iron-just think of it! Yes, yes.
You could kill anything easily. All I
used to be like that once. I was clever
at swordplay. | could. with we'll
tempered steel, cut asunder seven
times-folded piece of silk at one blow
without fraying out a thread. Yes, as
neatly as one cuts butter, You could
do that too If you liked 1t all lies in
the arm-the brave arm that kills at
single stroke"
And he gazed at me intently with his
small blear eyes as though anxious to
know more of my character and tenn
permanent. I turned abruptly from him,
and called his attention to my own
disregarded garments.
See" | said, carelessly; you can
have these. though they are not of
value And, stay, here are another
three francs for some socks and shoes,
which l dare say you can find to suit
me-"
He clasped his hands ecstatically
and poured out torrent OF thanks
and praises for this additional and
unexpected sum, and protesting by all
the saints that he and the entire con-
tents of his shop were at the service
of so generous q stranger, he at once
produced the articles | asked for.
put them on-and then stood up
thoroughly equipped and ready to
make my way back to my own home
when 7 chose. But I had resolved on
one thing Seeing that I was so
greatly changed. | determined not to
go to the Villa Roman by daylight,
lest | should startle my wifa too sud
denly Women are delicate; my un-
expected appearance might give her n
nervous shock which perhaps would
have serious results. | would wait
till the sun had set, and then 90 up TO
tho house by a back way ! knew o.
and try to get speech with one OF the
servants | might even meet my friend
Guido Ferrari and he would break the
icy full news OF my return from death
tC Nina by degrees, and also prepare
her for my altered looks. While these
thoughts fitted rapidly through my
brain. the old rag-picker stood near me
with his head on one side like medi-
tative raven, and regarded me intently
care YOU going far?" he asked at
last. with a kind of timidity