Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-06-09

master, brought the willy italian to the
hoped for naming Of q wedding day. He
was as slippery as an eel in avoiding all
hints.
He whispered sadly as he softly stroked
the folds Of his sweetheart's bridal gown:
"Poor little brother; poor Biouda! What
would not both Of them give to possess
such a costly dress, made by such clever
fingers, even for a few hours! How thank
full l should be and how impossible IN
would be for me to refuse anything to one
generous enough to lend her own wedding
gown before she herself had even worn 1t
to M less favored by fortunel'
Zoe gave a searching glance at her low
er's eyes, whose sly expression was hidden
by the half closed lids.
"The dress is beautiful, is it not, mon
amir" asked Zoe. cit is silk and cost
three months wages, but / paid it gladly
80 that you might not be ashamed of me
when the day is at last set for
A shower Of protestations interrupted
that hint.
II know, cara mia, what happiness
awaits me in the future" Bartolo began,
'but my heart is so ~curiously fashioned
that it can never thoroughly enjoy it's own
good fortune as long as it knows that
there are others with unfulfilled desires
and sad faces about" And then followed
a pathetic story of his beloved only broth
er, a dragoman, who for years had been in
love with the daughter of a poor fellow
countryman that had opened a small shop
in Pera.
"Now the obstacles are overcome and
tomorrow is the wedding day, but how
poor is the plain dress of my brothers af-
famed wife, how lacking in all the style
and beauty of this Incompatible gown!
How Mortified all the family at home in
Sorrento would be, my proud mother par
tlcularly, in whose veins flows noble Vene-
tian blood, If they knew of Biouda's linen
dress, which will make her and my broth
er ridiculous In every ones eyes tomor-
row." Bartolo sighed sorrowfully, while
Zoe had listened with half opened mouth
and lively play Of gestures.
Glow tender and good Bartolo isl" she
thought. "How easy it will be to lead him
when I am once his wife! Would 1t hurt
the gown any," she wondered, "if Biouda
were married in 1t tomorrow to Bartolo's
brother" OF whom, by the way, she had
never heard before then. Would not this
readiness to serve his family further her
own plans. Would not her generosity
make him set the longed for wedding day2
Zoe cast a triumphant glance at Barto-
10 when he left later in the evening, TAX
ing with him the dress carefully packed in
the box.
"When he brings it back, " she muir
murod tEho said ho xuo,,11 houo n fovor 70
ask Of me-a great favor which he will ask
me ogrant him out of the goodness of my
heart. What else car that be than that
for which l have waited SO long2 TO what
can he refer except to the choice of our
own wedding day."
1t was about noon of the next day, when
Zoe, who, like most oriental women, only
put on her fine clothes when she was sure
to be seen and admired, was working in
negligee in her own room, first at one
thing and then at another, but oftener
staring before her in dreamy ~reverie, now
and then raising her hand to smooth back
the strands of hair that fell in disorder
about her forehead.
A loose blouse of blue linen hung over
a dirty white petticoat. Her feet, which
were never seen on the street except in
laced Partisan shoes, were hidden today in
a pair Of slippers down at the heel, in
which she shuffied lazily to the door in
answer to a light knock.
When she opened the door, a mischiev-
GUS dirty face framed in disheveled curly
hair met her glance and stared at her half
abashed, half boldly.
"You marmitonl |" cried Zoe astoupded.
what do you want here at this hourp
Isn't there work enough In the kitchen
for you, mon garoon? I must really re-
quest the chef du cuisine or Signor Bar
tolo to keep you buster, go that you may
not have time to creep round the house
worrying the ladies'"
The kitchen lad, or marmiton. as he Is
called in large establishments, looked
boldly at Zoe's proud face and shrugged
his shoulders derisively. The Greek girl
had often hurt his feelings by making fun
of his childish admiration before the other
servants, and now the hour of revenge
had come.
"Signor Bartolop" he asked, with feign-
ed astonishment. HE will scarce be able
to find time to listen to ~madeinoiselle's
complaints. / only wanted to ask Mile.
Zoe to come into my humble room, where
the window looks out on the Municipal
garden, so that at least she may see the
happy bridal couple on their way back. It
is too bad he continued, grinning, too
bad that mademoiselle did not see the pro-
cession on the way to church. Signor Bar
tolo, SO handsome and elegant, and his
bride, the prettiest girl in Constantinople,
in a gown of heavy white silk fit for a