The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-27
HOW NICCoLo CINE HOME

low during the hours which we were to
spend together.
I'VE are starting ON a long jour
ney." Margaret explained as a prelim-
mary; "all the dway TO Sicily. We shall
be two nights in the train. 1 suppose
you are not going so far
Not quite; am for Rosino, a village
IN the north of sCalabria. I shall ar
rive about 10 o'clock tomorrow morn
ing. 1t Is my native place The sig
nora has been in Calabria, perhaps, if
she is fond Of trayel?''
NO. have never been so far south.
We have been staying at Naples, and
am enchanted with the bay Gould
anything be more beautiful than Ma
pies on a moonlight night?"
1t is more beautiful in Calaibria." he
said simply. Then his eye rested on
the bunch Of flowers which had been
pinned into her belt. These are flow
ers like those growing near my old
home, only larger. used to gather
them when I was q boy
Then / think we ought to share
these now" said Margaret, separat
ing few blossoms as she spoke and
holding them towad him with a smile.
VIII you wear these in YOUR button
hole for the rest of the Journey. to re-
mind you of your home until you see
it aga1n?"
The contadino took the flowers eager
ly enough; instead of putting them in
his coat as directed he Graded them
INTO the hollow OF his hand as though
In fear of damaging their fragile beau
ty, while ever and anon he raised them
to his face to drink in the delicnte per-
TUNE or to obtain a closer view of Leaf
and stem
During the first hour of our Journey
his attention was divided pretty equal
~ between the flowers, the scenery
through which we were passing ana
my bonnie Margaret herself. but there
was nothing in his gaze to which the
most rigorous chaperon could hays
taken exception. She was worth look
ing at as picture OF happy. health
full youth. and was. moreover SUCH
contrast to himself, such as essential
~ feminine little creature, that I did
not wonder at his admiration
1t was evident that our connnanion
possessed his fun share Of that love If
beauty which is characteristic OF his
race, but for such an intelligent-look.
ing man, he was woefuIly ill-faformed
and his Il don't know, signora /" ssI
can't tell you, signora," began to have
monotonous sound in our ears. The
explanation came at last, when 7 asked
II there was a post van attached to
the train, wherein / could deposit 4he
card which l had just been writing
can't tell you. signora." said tha
contadfno once more; then. looking al
US very earnestly with his heaaIfifni
eyes am the worst man In the world
to give you information about such
things" he said slowly, for only YES
terday came out of prison, and this
Is my nrst day OF liberty for twenty
six years"
1t was shock. We had thought OF
many tragic explanations. but never
this. A convict And a. convic+ +oo
Of the worst order, for twenty-sIx vaars
meant a commuted life sentence and
life sentences are not given for light
offences It seemed impossible 70 ss.
sociate the IDEA or crime with the face
OF the man seated opposite, but there
was no discrediting HIS own words We
waited breathlessly to hear the natlira
Of the offense for which he had haan
communicable receive assurances thai
he had been wrongfully accused and
was the most fl-used of men.
None came. Neither at that time no,
tnrougnout the hours of the Journey
did he utter a word of excuse or ex.
oneration: but the absence of anv at,
tempt to talk good" or to prove that
he had been unjustly sentenced. was
| more impressive than a hundred rro,
testatons, and made US feel wa had
been fortunate ii our choice of a travel
ing companion. despite the sins of the
past.
It was some time. before we could re-
| cover from the shock, but while tfas
sad brown eyes searched our faces Il
| seemed brutal 20 show any sign of dis
comfiture, and Margaret managed to
| conjure up the ghost of a smile as she
asked where he had been during all
/ these years.
| I'm the convict prison at Porte Fer
! raio, on Elba, signora- ] came out yes