The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-01-04
LUCIA'S ERR OR

sea when the sexton opened the doors
Of the pretty church Of San Giocomo
on the little island OF Chioggia. which
the Canal Grande separates from Ven
Ice. II 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.
BY the side Of the wife Of some poor
fisherman kncels 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
u slender young woman of extraordina-
nv beauty. She was oblivious OF her
surroundings. Her head was bowed
over her folded hands, and from hel
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 lingcr 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 LII
cha, the old woman's cousin Enrchet-
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
Biagla wondered. Could IL be true.
what the woman OF Chloggia were say
ing. that Lucia was In love with the
fair haired German painter who had
employed her for his model? Had she
been falthless 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 Blagia had always been fond OF
Lucia. and her heart ached for the sor-
rowing creature. but Of late the girl
had made no confdant OF her old rela- |
tive. When mass was over and tie |
people dispersed. the old woman wait |
ed patiently for Lucia. who was still |
lost in devcut 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?" Querled the |
girl. with low. oppressed voice.
II am sorry. Lucia mia" whispered
Sora Biagia. laying her hand Oh the
young woman's shoulder. Il wish |
could help you. Don't take 1t too much |
TO heart II Filippo loves you. he'll
come back TO marry you. believe me. |
LuciaT'
But be cannot. Sora Blagia.' moan
ed the girl He cannot come back 20
me. Fillppo is dead. drowned-and
am the cause Of his death"
'Oh, holy Virgin! murmured the old
woman. crossing herself. You do not
know what you are talking about. You
are losing your mind"
Its true. only too true, cried Lu-
cia vehemently. Il will tell you all, |
Sora Biagia. Fillppo was Jealous Of |
the stranger for whom sat as model.
l was foolish TO fllrt with him. but ! |
have never wronged FillppO, the holy |
Mother knows. II yexed me TO have |
him so sure Of me. and when be told
NE that he was the only man | could |
ever love | laughed al him Then &c |
came and asked me TO marry him. But |
/ was obstinate. Sora Bagia. and said |
that would think about II. We bad n |
quarrel and parted In anger. yet we |
love each other dearly. Filppo went |
10 sea again, though II was his inten
ton to remain at home after our mar |
riage. Last night came the news that |
the Speranza was wrecked IN the Eng |
fish channel She was Flllppo's boat. |
and everybody on board was lost. |
am not weeping for the stranger, Sora
Blagia. but for Filippo. whom 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 see old Sor Fredlano. |
the pilot, standing in his door. lie Is |
sure TO know Hey. Sor Frediano hey. |
Any news from the SperanzaT
THE Speranza's gone. but word has |
just been received that the crew was |
saved They are on their way home
now"
A cry Of Joy broke from Lucia'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 10 his
DEATH"
On Easter morning there was great |
rejoicing on the pretty little Island OF
Chioggia. The crew from the Speran
"a 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
asked:
what will you say TO Flllppo should
he ask you again TO become his wife,
"Not a single word. Sora Biagia.
will throw my arms around his neck
and kiss him. He will know"
At Whitsuntide Fillppo and Lucia
were married before the image Of the
Madonna at whose shrine the girl had |
poured out her grief and implored her
help.
Man of the FIXTURE.
Mr.. Flimsey (reading)-Scientific men
hnro no,,no 70 thn ..onnlncloa, ihnt ito