Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-01-20


behind only a couple Of thousand
francs, for which | had no special
need. loekea and strapped the
valise; there was no name on it, and
i. was scarcely any weight to carry,
| took it to Andrea, who swung il
easily in his right hand and said,
smilingly.
Your friend is not wealthy, eccel-
lenza, if this is all his luggage"
You are right | answered, with a
beggared of everything that should be
his through the treachery of those
whom he has benefited | paused;
Andrea was listening sympathetically
That is why have paid his pas
sage-money, and have done by best to
aid him."
"Ah! you have the good heart, &c
cellenza," murmuren the Sicilian,
thoughtfully. Would there were more
like you, Often when fortune gives
kick TO a man, nothing viii suit but
that all who see him must kick him
also. And thus the povero diayolo dies
OF so many kicks, often! This friend
of yours is young senz3 dubbio?
Yes, quite young, not yet thirty
1T is as if you were father to
him. exclaimed Andrea, enthus-
iastically. Il hope he may be truly
grateful To you, eccellenza,'
Il hope 50 too, | said, unable to
resist u smile. Ana now, AMIGO, take
this and | pressed small sealed
packet into his hand. 1t is for your
self, Do not open it till you are at
home with the mother you love so
well, and the little maiden you spoke
OF by your side. If its contents please
you, as | believe they will, think that
am also rendered happier by your
happiness
His dark eyes spanked with graft
tude as l spoke. and setting the valise
he held down on the ground, he
stretched out his hand half timidly,
half frankly. | shook it warmly and
babe him farewell.
Per Bacco!" he said, with a sort of
shamefaced eagerness, the very devil
must have caught my tongue in his fin
gers There is something | ought to
say to you, eccellenza, but for my life
! cannot find the right words. | must
thank you better when | see you next.
And thus We parted, never to meet
again-he to the strong glad life that
is born of the wind and sea, and | to
But let me not anticipate. Step by
step through the labyrinths of memory
let me so over the old ground watered
with blood ana tears, not missing one
sharp stone of detail on the drear path
way leading to the bitter end.
That same evening | had an inter
view with Vincenzo. He was melan-
choly ana taciturn-a mood which was
the result of an announcement / had
previously made to him-namely, that
his services would not be required dur
ing my weddIng-trip. He had hoped
to a company me and TO occupy the
position of courier, valet, major domO,
and generally confidential attendant
a hope which had partially soothed
the vexation he had evidently felt at
the notion Of my marrying at all.
His plans were now frustrated, and
ii ever the good fellow could
be ill-tempered he was assuredly so
on this occasion. He stood before me
with his usual respectful air, but he
avoided my glance, and kept his eyes
studiously fixed on the pattern of the
carpet. | addressed him with an air
of gayety.
Ebbene, Vincenzo! Joy comes at
last, you see, even 10 me! Tomorrow
shall wed the Countess Romani-
the Ioveliest and perhaps the richest
woman in Naples!"
II know it, eccellenZa"
This with the same obstinately fixed
countcnance and downward glance.
"Ycu are not very pleased, / think,
al the prospect Of my happiness"
asked, banterIngly.
He glanced up for an instant, then
as quickly down again.
IF one could be sure that the illus
trissimo eccellenza was indeed happy,
that would be a good thing he an
swered, nubiously
And are you not sure?"
He paused, then replied firmly;
No, the eccel enza does not look
happy. No, no, dayyero! He has the
air Of being sorrowful and i'll. both to
gether."
| shrugged my shoulders indiffer-
emily.
You mistake m, Vincenzo | am
well-verv well and happy. Gran
bio! who could be happier? But what
Of my health or happiness they are
nothing 10 me, and should be less TO
you. Listen; / have something ! wish
you TO do FOR me
He gave me s.del0ng end half-ex-
ptctant glance. / went on:
Tomorrow evening / want you TO
go 70 Avellino.'
He was utterly ast0nishGd.
TO AvellinOl" he murmured under
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