Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-24
BEPPICCHIA'S GOLDEN BEADS.

The vast plain and It's sois. undulat,ng
rirdle Of b.ue mountains. were suffused
with the deep glow Of a southern sunset.
The only shadow Of the rich. pervading
color was the figure of a man on horse
back. making his way lightly along the
White road between the great cactus
hedges. Nureddu. the little. long-tailed
black mare stepped as though shod with
velvet. and her rider sat as if he were
part of the stced Against the red and
yellow Sky and swiftly moving sihoutte
rus .mbIed design of an Etruscan vase.
Tor Antonio Sairo wore the black guard
and long sable sap of the Sard peasant.
Even th, smooth. dark green velvet waist
coat scarcely relieved the sCmberneSs Of
Lis attire.
Nureddu repaid her masters whipless
trust by moving rapidly. but she might
have followed her own hest for Antonio
Sairo was not thinking of his horses gait.
Castles were building near the Phrygian
cap.
IF she says yes. Priest Moura shall
make the demand of Pietro Pintus to-
morrow All. what red lips she has. little
dove of my heart, And for laughter. holy
Madonna of Bornaria. there is not such
another. No wonder Maria Louisa and
N9rr Angela say she cannot do anything
,I-.-thev would not if they had lips and
teeth like thcse-aud how II plays in her
owes, With 20 house of her own she Will
make more baskets and bread sleeves in an
hour than they do in a day" Sairo's eyes
sotteucd and deepcned; he already saw
the girl weaving asphodel under his own
raI ceiling. Re laid his hand on Nureddu's
neck and gave % peculiar whistle.
.I-p. little horse of mine. or we shall be
too late TO see her"
Tae gentle creature spranE forward and
bore Antonio Sairo ike a racer over the
r.air. but as they crossed an intersectinS
road % man started up behind the cactus
hedge and planted himself in their path.
Nureddu SHE'D slightly and then stood
stuL
he was dressed like the rider, except
that instead of close black brooches he
wore dirty loose white trousers fastened
INFO the cartercd CATERS at the knee.
Antonio frowned.
You stdrtle mo. Deledda.
cone would not have thought YOU the
man. Sairo. TO he frightened because
friend waited fsr YOU ut CROSSROADS.
little smile dawned i'm Antonio's kind
brown eyes. hut he asked bluntly;
"What would you?'
To buy that horse. I'll give you 800
frames for it
Antonio Sairo drew himself up proudly
..V-ho said my Nureddu was for sale? !
would as soon sell my right arm
IA. s.r0ked the mare Hanks caressing-
IL. Nurcddu knew who they were talking
or butt with too much sense TO interfere.
only stood still and listened.
your rieht arm would not bring 800
francs ir q hurry" said the other. sneer-
mg,v. or your horse. either. for that mat
ter. aut T have taken fancy to the beast
and am ready TO do foolish thing"
"It would not be foolish II you could
get my Nureddu. but my little dame and
do rot part Good night Deledda.
May Madonna aid YOU to find horse TO
Your mind"
Asain sairo gave his soft whistle and
the graceful mare flew forward like
bird The man smiled to himself and
ratted Nureddu's neck.
we know each other, ell. little horse
OF my soul?'
There was a neigh OF pleasure at his
touch. hut no slackening OF pace.
A. they approached "a village the mare
stopped OF her own account close TO the
nish garden Of the first outlying house.
A tree nuug It's branches over the wall.
and from the midst of the foliage came
the sound Of singing i'm a high key:
De cJvaueriS isposa.
Tappo q bider. norma
Prus bella de so rosa.
Prus sottile de 81 Gamma.
T. wus rather q Shrll voice but man
ard stccd knew it, and Sairo co,ored with
delight.
"BerDicchia" exclaimed he. art thou
stiU the-ee Madonna be praised. feared
thou woU,dst have some in 20 cook the
maccaroUL"
A merry laugh pealed through the
leaves.
"Dorrote cooks the macaroni. II Nan
m says / boil il too soft / was tickling
the u;tic donkey to make it jump around
the mill and the macaroni went TO
pulp"
Sairo smiled. and then his heart gave a
Jump TO his throat as he said:
"B6t. Beppecchia, thou wilt have 10
learn TO cook macaroni for thy husband 80
There was q dead silence: no answer
came from the tree.
"Beppecchia. come down" begged the
young man, but he obtained no response.