Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-05-24


had been happy enough and his stri-
dent voice calling: Charcoal, char
c-o-o-oal," early and late, had thrilled
with love and hope, as if every intona-
ton brought him closer to Tessa and
the little home for which he was work
ing.
But since the coming of the stranger
who had noticed Tessa so much every
thing was changed. The girl had
grown cold, and the little home seemed
long way off. It takes long time,
when one must save money by the
penny, and he grew discouraged.
Worst of all, he had seen Tessa flush
with pleasure when the American bent
over her one day, and the mere remem-
brance set his jealous soul on fire.
The climax had come one night
when, moody and sullen, he had re-
preached Tessa with being in love with
the handsome stranger and had de-
manded to know where she had gotten
little trinket she wore.
The girl turned on him with sudden
fury.
Mother of God" she cried. in Ital-
ian, "but you are not my master yet"
"Bah," he retorted, "you are but a
woman to be bought like all other
women with gewgaws," and then he
had flung himself out of the house.
Giuseppe knew nothing Of law, and
cared less. His one thought was to
| find the man who had stolen his sweet
hearts love and settle the affair, man
to man, and, as he made his way along
the street. he touched the dirk hidden
| in the broad belt about his waist. Tessa
had said that Gray was staying at the
hotel around the corner from the fruit
stall and he made his way to it, hot
murder in his heart.
How to find Gray he knew not, but
instinctively he crouched down in the
shadow of the door and waited for him.
Soon or late he must pass that way.
There would be sudden spring, a
thrust of a knife, muffled cry, per-
haps, and then-for awhile the angry
beat Of his jealous heart was like an
audible voice urging him on to ven
geance, and then, as the solemn night
wore on, something divine that under
lies all true love struggled to the sur
face, and the soul of Giuseppe, the
charcoal peddler, humble, poor. litter
ate, was TRANSPORTED by great renun-
citation. He would sacrifice himself. If
Tessa loved Gray, she should have him.
1t was very late when Gray entered
the hotel. and, neither he nor the
sleepy porter noticed the stealthy fig
ure that crept in with him, and fol-
lowed his every movement like a dark
shadow. Gray saw him first as he
turned to close the door behind him.
Giuseppe entered as stealthily as a
cat.
"You steal'a da love'a Tesca," he
said, simply, "dassa what'a All come'a
TO- keel'a you. All steek'a yo da still
letta."
Gray walked over to the mantel and
rolled and lit cigarette. His face was
a trihe paler, but his hands did not
trembe at their task.
We'll" he asked, why did you not
do it?"
Coda know" replied the other. "Ah
be da poor. You be da beega 'Mericana
All love she. All give'a ma life TO- She"
"You love the girl?" Gray asked, Gu
riously, then why don't you marry
her? You know the fate of the rose
that hangs too near the garden wall"
and shrug of the shoulders complet-
ed the sentence.
Giuseppe made hopeless gesture
OF assent, and then mpetuously poured
out the whole story-his love for Tessa,
the weary waiting, the little home he
had hoped to make for her when he had
saved up enough money to buy the
horse and cart. They were to have
been so happy, but now-it was all
over. 1t was pathetic little story of
human love and longing, of faithful de-
votion that rose to the heights OF a
great sacrifice, and as Arthur Gray
listened he smoked many cigarettes,
and cursed his own idle folly.
Giuseppe" he said, at last, very
humbly, "if / have wronged you. it has
been unintentional, and beg your for
giveness. | admired your rose, as any
man may beautiful flower, but have
no desire to rob you of it. In my north
ern home there is lily which soon,
please God, ] shall wear on my own
breast. Go back to Tessa. Pluck your
own rose, man, and tell old Beppo
shall send down the horse and cart to.
morrow as little wedding present to
the bride"
The light was still burning in Tessa' s
room when Giuseppe made his way
back to Beppo's house, and the girl
red eyed with weeping over her quarrel
with her lover, sprang to the window
at his first call. In a word almost he
told her his glad news.
"Ah, beloved" he said, holding out
his arms to the girl as she leaned above
him in the window, "but the world il
Heaven tonight" For answer Tessa
| tn =. l.. 4.