The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-01
PRINCESS CESARINI.

white road thau LED from the old city OF
Lucca to tho Bagni How tired / wasl
During the long hours Of my tramp had
met but little traffic, white oxen slowly
dragging loads slowly, not because of
their burden, but from that natural pas
sive dignity that will accept the yoke, yet
will not be lashed to servitudo-and peas
ant women, fine creatures, like the oxen,
mountain bred, carrying their boots upon
their head and singing mournful songs
with placid faces Fate, as the yoke, must
DO borne, but they would pay no toll of
fear. The river swept on my right, in its
wide bed Of gray stones, like great blue
serpent threading through the hot land,
and far before ne were the purple Apen-
mines, Turing the traveller to their fresher
heights.
She passed, and the dust flew from the
horses feet all about me. How divine and
strange and beautiful she was, and SO
young! Her dusky hair formed soft halo
round her white face under the wide briu-
med hat with its great plumes-a face like
flower. Her gown-I noticed her gown
-shimmered green, and round her white
throat was intwined tiny chain with
turquoise heart attached. She passed so
near me l might have touched her and
looked at me with grave, wondrous eyes,
the color Of the deep sea. Some one else
was in the carriage, slight figure in gray.
I had no thoughts for her companion.
1t was night when / reached the Bagni.
The flrefiies lowered in the air, and tho
dark Expresses about the villa gardens
looked black in the shadowy blue of an
italian night. heard there that the Prin-
cess Cesarini had arrived that afternoon,
the illustrious and bountiful princess, the
beloved Of the poor. Then knew that I
had seen the princess and that l loved
her-I, the poor student, the wanderer
through foreign cities, loved tho great
princess. went next day to tho casino,
having come only to seek the hills. Sho
was there, and all the people turned to
look at her. asked of one near, "Who
are those ladiesf" just for the joy of hear
ing her name spoken. Ills the Princess
Cesarini and her companion, said the by
stander. Her companion was old, and her
clothes looked shabby. thought, "She Is
poor and dependent, expatriated perhaps
even as I, yet what would I not suffer to
be for one brief hour in her shoesp'
When they had gone, stole away and
surged like torrents of fire in my veins,
and my. heart beat. I cursed the fate that
had made me as was, then blessed tho
Maker who had created her so fair. lay
down with my face near the grass, and tho
beetles and strange winged things hum
med In my ears and the birds tapped low,
not noticing was there, and far below at
my feet wound the river, and all about
me were the mountains whispered her
name to blades of grass, to the sweet
heavens and down the shadowy valley and
laughed to myself. Then lay quite still
and watched the coming of dawn, and
knew there was no hope.
Every day she went for drive. Every
day went to the foot of the steps that led
down from the terrace garden and watch
ed her mount the old barouche. Every
evening l waited there to see her come
home On rare occasions she would turn
her eyes to mine with a little pensive look
of recognition, of wondering humor. Then
the universe was ours.
Once 1t happened that my princess came
down to the foot of the steep steps before
the carriage had come. She was dressed
all in white, and OH the hem of her gown
were embroidered little punches of wild
roses. She seemed not to see me and look
cd long up the winding road saw man
was approaching whereat my heart stood
still with sullen rage, and she, as II she
had read my thoughts, cast quick glance
of gentle sweetness that rebuked the angry
man of ME to shame
Then the days flew-winged days, for
on each l saw my princess. What mattered
pha L. AL,
with him, sitting In the terraced garden
with him, il she remembered to turn her
head, while he was speaking, to look at
meP *.I never dreamed of the end.
How should l? Yet 1t came swift and sure,
and was left desolate On that evening
she stole to the terrace wall and looked
down at me where stood in the road far
below her, and saw there were tears in
her eyes. A cry broke from me, but she
put her finger on her lips, and knew
must not speak. He was there In the ter
raced garden. She remained quite still,
then suddenly pluoked crimson flower
from the edge of the orumbling wall and
threw 1t to Inc as she turned away.
She had gone the next day-my pri ncess
lad gone, and was alone.
came across the little old lady one
on the river bed, seated In the
shadow of an immense bowlder She was
sketohing had crept down there among
the rocks and stones to get near the blue
thread Of water that had narrowed through
the heat of the summer to serpentine
line. 1t flowed the way she had gone.
How can you do itf" I said recklessly.
u How can you do it9"
She looked up at me, at first q little
startled then she smiled. "0h, it's you,
Is it?"
Eyes, madam, it is I, or rather my
body"
"What is 1t you don't wish me to dor"
"Draw so DISQUALIFICATION she has gone
;oo."
"Who has gomez"
1.-THE Princess Cesarini."