The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-02-21
IL BMCLO.
The Kiss
A Tragic Story of Italian
Love.


him generally if he walked behind He
was whisting cheerily, despite the great
midday heat. for was he not going along
the road where old Nito's olive gaidcn
was? Very likely Nella would be working
there this morning, and they could rest
little and eat their frugal dinner to-
gether if she were. Nella was the beau
ty of the village and was going to marry
his cousin Lott, but that did not matter
to Pcrio. Lott was away in Naples,
working hard there to make the money
to furnish their little home with.
But today Perio was not quite so sat
is6ed as usual. He had not the slightest
objection to Nela's flirting with him
when Lott was away, but when it came
to her bestowing soft glances ON another
man. then he began to burn in righteous
anger and resentment against her treat.
ment of his cousin.
just at this moment his train of thought
was disturbed by voice ringing in one
of the olive gardens a little farther up
the hill-a voice that made the mans
eyes CLEAN and his whole frame thrill
with animation-Nella's voice! lie stop
ped his mules moment and. putting his
hand to his mouth so that the sound
might travel farther, cried:
"Nella, Nella. it's almost noon. Come
down, and you shall ride on one of the
mules to the trees. and we can eat to-
gethcr."
The door of one Ct the nearer gardens
opened. and Nella came out.
mo, Perio." She said: i've eaten al
ready. It's past noon. Besides, I'm in a
hurry. I'm going to sit for the gentle
man who's painting me this afternoon.
I'm going up to the convent now"
Perio's face darhened. and his eyes
took the sharp. stcalthy look Of anger so
little brings at once to an Italian face.
Does Lott know you sit for this Eng
lish artist?"
''IIe knew was going to sit" returned
the girl, but what does it matter to
you?" And she cast on Pcrio look of
i'll concealed contempt.
That look seeilcd to madden the man,
who suddenly famed into a great rage
See. my Nela," he said, taking her
roughly by the arm. you would never
look at me or even dance with me. though
Lott is my cousin, while he is away. and
yet You spend hours sitting with this
EngliShman. sitting to him half naked,
tOps iF tttiths WIN al Slltt'i. All, NtS,
| know" rs Nela started Indignantly.
THE old man who takes wood TO the
holy convent told me. as an Egyptian
queen. with only a skirt and jewels and
a gold snake in your hair. How will Lott
like that when | tell him tonight?' And
he bent forward with coarse laugh.
"Tonight?, she started. You tell
Lott tonight?'
"Ah! didn't mean to tell you. but Lott
is coming tonight. | know he is.
heard it in the town." and he pointed to
where the white city lay mt the foot of
the hill. lie will be here tonight and
/ shall see him. Yes. and will tell him
how YOU sit to this painter Nela. unless
unless He held ont his arms and the
revenge died out of his face. ''Nella,
love-
You spy, You cur" she broke out
GLOW | despise you. You question the
poor old man ut the convent. Then you
threaten me and offer me your love. Your
love, What woman would accept the
love of Il reptile?" She turned and
walked majestically down the road.
"Nela!" he screamed. beside himself
with rage. 'Nella, you call me reptile?
You shall pay for this! | will tell Lott
as soon as he enters the town. | will
81 will tell him myself first" said the
girl. turning round scornfully. She
walked slowly down the road. and Perio
stood watching her, rooted to the spot
and mad with rage and jealousy. Was
it true? Was she afraid of what he
could tell Lott or had the old man told
him lies? All. what would he give to see
her face! Suddenly, as if in defiance of
him. she broke forth into her song again,
the song she had been singing in the olive
garden: "%ulla, sulla labre. Sc potessi,
dolce I'M bacio un bacio.''
Perio turned white with anger 81 I'M
derstanG" he shouted hoarscly. You
sing of kisses. You go to the kisses of
your lover" But she took no notice. only
walked on steadily. a queen Of women.
along that dusty road The man clinched
his hands and almost pushed the mules
forward. He would take them home at
once and hurry back to the town. He
would see Lott first. after all.
Nella walked on in the great summer
heat. 1t did not seem to hurt her. She
was real child of the sun. No heat was
too great for her. not even the heat with
in. which was burning fercely just then.
"Perio spoke of love KISSES" she was
thinking. How little he knows the
truth, Gerald. Gerald" she lsped a
little over the hard foreign name. How
love him. If he would only kiss me
once! How easy it would be to die if he
had once held me in his arms. if he had
tnce called me lovc-to die And a
tremor ran through her eyes. that is
the end | must die | can never belong
to Lott now. cannot see him again.
But he is coming tonight" as the thought
struck her. Lott coming tonight. What
shall | do? Whatever shall | do?" She
walked slowly down the orange grove
leading to the convent door and tapped at
it gently.
'You are late today, Nella." said the
sister who opened it. "Signor Vavasour
has been waiting for you. Are you i'll,
child?" she added. How white you
look!"
at is nothing, sister,"
at is well this is the last time you
come" the sister said kindly. '"The walk
here in the heat is too much for you.
But make haste and dress now. Don't
keep him waiting longer"
Nella smiled slightly as she began to
take her things off. The heat was too
much for her-for her, who had worked
in the fields right through the hottest
summer day without feeling it.
Slowly she dressed herself in the cos
tune Mr.. Vavasour had chosen for her
as Cleopatraa costume which showed