Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-30

woman, good mother; watch them
both, you will soon tell whether love
is between them or no. And see," here
J handed her sealed envelope, Gin this
you will find notes to the amount of
four thousand francs" She uttered a
little cry Of amaZement. 1T is Lilla's
doWry, whoever she marries, though
think she will marry Vincenzo Nay
no thanks, money is of no value tt
me; and this is the one pleasure |
have had for many weary months
Think well of Vincenzo-he is an eX-
cellent fellow. And all | ask of yor
is, that you keep this little dowry a
secret till the day of your fair child's
espousals"
Before l could prevent her the en-
thusiastic woman had seized my hanC
and kissed it. Then she lifted her heaf
with the proud free-bOrn dignity of a
Roman matron; her broad bosom
! heaVed, and her strong voice quivered
with suppressed emotion.
Il thank you, signor," she said. sim
! ply, for Lilla's sake! Not that my
little one needs more than her mothers
hands have toiled for, thanks be to
the blessed saints VINO have had us
both in their keeping! But this is a
special blessing of God sent through
your hands, and | should be unworthy
OF all prosperity were | not grateful.
Eccellenza, pardon me, but my eyes
are quick to see that you have suffered
sorrow. Good actions tighten grief!
We will pray for your happiness, Lila
and I, till the last breath leaves our
lips. Believe 1.-THE name of our
benefactor shall be lifted to the saints
night and morning, and who knows
but good may come OF it!'
l smiled family.
Good will come of it, my excellent
signora, though [ am all unworthy OF
your prayers. Rather pray" and |
sighed heavily, ''for the dead, that
they may be loosed from their sins -
The good woman looked at me with
sort of kindly pity mingled with awe,
then murmuring once more her thanks
and blessings, she left the room. A
few minutes afterward Vincenzo en-
tered. [ addressed him cheerfully.
Absence is the best test OF love
Vlncenzo; prepare all for our depart
ure! We shall leave Avellino the day
after tomorrow"
And so we did. Lila looked slightly
doWncast, but Vincenzo seemed salts
nea, and | augured from their faces
and from the mysterious smile of Sig
nora Monti, that all was gong well. I
left the beautiful mountain town with
regret, knowing l should see it no
more. | touched LiII@s fair cheek
lightly at parting, and TOOK what I
knew was my last look into the sweet
candid young lace. Yet the conscious
ness that I had done some little good
gave my tired heart a sense of salts
faction and repose-a feeling | had not
experienced since | died and rose again
from the dead.
On the last day of January I re-
turned to Naples, after an absence of
| more than month, and was welcomed
back by all my numerous acquaintance
! with enthusiasm. The Marquis D'Aven-
court had informed me rightly-the
affair of the duel was a thing of the
past-an almost forgotten circum-
stance The carnival was in full riot;
the streets were scenes of fantastic
mirth and revelry; there was music
and song, dancing and masquerading
and feasting. But l withdrew from
! the tumult of merriment, and absorbed
myself in the necessary preparation
for-my marriage.