Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-09-04
NUMBER SO.

thought mt times. "If she were alive.
she could not feel the power OF my
love. though an ocean lies between US"
But, like all lovers, he was selfish and
sensitive, and he had sworn on his
honor never to write to her again. and
he could picture her often making love
to Marcello and Valentino and others
In the vineyards, as she had made love
to HIM.
A second summer OF silence came,
and Pietro wandered out into the coun-
try and walked among the wood ferns,
crushing them 30 his breast with his
passionate love of beauty. He would
40 and spend days under the sky. beg
ging for food as he went. He could
not work. He was STEPPED, saturated,
overcome by the accumulated longing
within him. The army OF laughing
fairies and Dominican monks stood on
their shelves, neglected array, un-
busted and unsold.
The citizens OF Little Italy" forgot
his very existence. When he did not
appear. they concluded that he had re-
turned TO Italy for a time. and they
did not even care 20 inquire. One day
little, old woman In shabby black,
with coarse veil tied around her head
so that her face was wholly concealed,
came 10 Little Italy" and inquired
for Pietro. She could speak no Eng
llsh, and she seemed greatly agitated'
The women were consumed witt
curiosity, and led her willingly o.
Pietro's little workshop. Her terrof
was pltiable when she found that be
had gone and had not been seen FOR
a month. She called on all the saints
In the calendar TO help her, and then
on death TO relieve her. and she flung
herself on Pietro's own couch and
moaned for hours. She barred the
door and covered the window so that
the curious ones could not watch her
from without, and she herself only
emerged when she wanted TO buy food
II was some days after this occur
renee that Pietro. walking In the coun-
try. saw a vision OF his Beatri'fa
stretching out her arms 10 him and
crying out 10 him I'm a sad. distressed
way. The vision was so distinct that
for a moment he thought II WIS n nj.
"She Is dying" he cried to Il sky,
"and she Is sorry and would al my
forgiveness. and | cannot 10 TO her.
o God OF the poor. cannot go?'
II made such a powerful impression
upon his mind that he turned about
Immediately and began 10 retrace his
way back 10 the city and to his shop.
When he reached Little Italy" doz-
en- eager men and women rushed upon
him. seized him bodily and dragged
him toward his abode.
"Thy mother. thine old mother, IL
here" they screamed. "Ungrateful fel-
low. she il alone and waiting thee
For the FIRST time In many months
Pietro smiled.
"My mother" he whispered. SIS with
the saints and happyl What canst
thou meanY
"Go. look for thyself. bali witted
sluggard and beggar," they bawled out.
And they pushed him toward the door.
The little, ole woman who bad I'm
prisoned herself within caught the
shouts and the voice OF Pietro, and her
heart gave one Wild bound, and she
stood trembling at the door, ready 10
ding IL open.
Pietro stepped cautiously and touch
ell the handle. He did not know whom
he might encounter, so his advance
was timid. As the door swung back
he gazed stupidity for a moment. Then
n cry Of JOY and pain broke from his
lips as he laid his hand on his heart TO
still It's awful beating.
"Beatricia, my beloved! Is II thouT
he gasped. "Dost thou love meT
"Madly. Pietro"
Thou dldst come TO dnd me, Bea-
triciaf"
Thou, alone"
Thou hast come TO stay. Beatriciar
"Alwaysp-Chlcago Tribune.