Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-12-17
L UCIA'S RR OR

"~N" "A"u OuIely glSCA Uut VI Tue
sea when the sexton opened the doors
OF the pretty church of San Giocomo
on the little island Of Chioggia, which
the canal Grnnde separates from Ven
ice. 1t was holy week, and the pious
Islanders gathered for early mass.
They were nearly all women, for the
young and hardy men of Chiosgia are
OUT on the sea, saying their morning
prayers under the dome of the sky
ny the side of the wife of some poor
fisherman Eneels the judges spouse in
elegant attire. Not far from her sits
the pilots daughter. In the first pew
before the image Of the Madonna
crouched on this morning in holy week
a slender young woman of extraordina-
| ry beauty. She was oblivious Of her
| surroundings. Her head was bowed
over her folded hands, and from her
eyes tear trickled now and then. She
did not see the old vegetable huckster
perched ON stool the sexton had pro-
vided expressly for her because she
could no linger kneel. Nobody needed
the girl except this old crone, who
watched her curiously. The young wo-
mans rich black hair betrayed her. 1t
was Lucia, handsome, dark eyed Lu-
ella, the old womans cousin Enrichet-
ta's only daughter. The silver bracelet
around the dimpled wrist was hers.
The old woman would have known her
anywhere with that trinket on her
arm.
Lucia seemed in great despair. Sora
Biagia wondered Could it be true,
what the woman of Chioggia were say
ing, that Lucia was in love with the
fair haired German painter who had
employed her for his model? Had she
been faithless to Filippo, who had ask
ed her to marry him and whose wife
she had promised to be? Now the Te-
desco has gone his way, and she kneels
in despair before the image of the Ma
donna-the old old story!
Sora Biagia had always been fond of
Lucia, and her heart ached for the sor-
rowing creature, but Of late the girl
had made no contidant of her old rela.
tive. When mass was over and the
people dispersed, the old woman wait
ed patiently for Lucia, who was still
lost in tlcvout prayer At last she arose,
brushed the wavy strains Of her black
hair from her forehead and cast last
imploring look upon the image of the
Madonna.
"Hey, Lucia" cried Sora Biagia.
"What will you have?" queried the
girl, with low, oppressed voice.
II am sorry, Lucia MIA whispered
Sora Biagia, laying her hand on the
young woman's shoulder. IL wish l
could help you. Don't take it too much
to heart! II Filippo loves you, he'll
come back to marry you. believe me,
Lucia!" -e...
but he cannot, Sora Biagia," moan,
cd the girl. "He cannot come back to
me- Filippo is dead, drowned-and l
am the cause Of his death"
"Oh, holy Firgin!' murmured the old
woman, crossing herself. "You do not
know what You are talking about. You
are losing your mind"
"It's true, only too true"' cried Lu-
ella vehemently. II will tell you all,
Sora Biagia Filippo was Jealous Of
The stranger for whom sat as model.
was foolish to flirt with him, but l
have never wronged Fillppo, the holy
Mother knows! 1t veXed me to have
him so sure Of me, and when be told
me that he was the only man l could
ever love l laughed at him. Then he
came and asked me to marry him. But
was obstinate, Sora Biagia, and said
that would think about 1t. We had
quarrel and parted in anger, yet we
love each other dearly. Filippo went
to sea again, though it was his inten-
ton to remain at home after our mar
rage. Last night came the news that
the Speranza was wrecked in the Eng
fish channel. She was Filippo's boat,
and everybody on board was lost. l
am not weeping for the stranger, Sora
Biagia, but for Filippo, whom l will
never see again"
The girl broke completely down, Sob
bling out her grief on the old woman's
shoulder.
"Are you sure that all the crew were
lost, Lucia? 1 see old Sor Frediano,
the pilot, standing in his door. He Is
sure to know. Hey, Sor Frediano. hey!
Any news from the Speranza
1.-THE Speranza's gone, but word has
lust been received that the crew was
saved. They are on their way home
now"
A cry Of joy broke from Lucla's lips.
Half laughing. half weeping, she sank
upon the stone steps Of the church.
"Thou hast heard my prayer, O Ma
donna! have not sent him to his
DEATH"
On Easter morning there was great
rejoicing on the pretty little island of
Chloggia. The crew from the Speran-
70 came home just as the Easter bells
called the worshipers to church.
On the wharf, near enough for the
water to dampen her pretty shoes,
stood Lucia with Sora Biagia.
AS the boat drew near that brought
the young lover home the old woman