The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-09-30
CHAPTER Xxx,
THE GREAT MOMENT

1t was i midday late in January. the
date on which Edith had been taken
ILL., and the Angelus bells, ringing with
sonorous and sleepy rhythm all over
Pisa, were carried by a fresh breeze
through the clear air to a gloomy. old
massive-walled palace situated half a
mile beyond the Porta Nuova.
Here, in the small room commune
eating with his laboratory, Dr. Zoffani
stood by one of the deep recessed win
doNs, whose light fell on a letter writ
ten in his own language by the young
English girl who had been his patient
some weeks before.
With spectacles on nose, a gratified
smile lighting his wrinkled face, he
read the lines in which she thanked
him for his attention and care, and
told him that a threatened danger to
the man she was engaged to marry had
caused relapse Of her nervous condi-
ton: but that. owing to the medicines
he had given her when leaving. she
had almost recovered once more. She
asked most kindly about his health.
and she added that her future hus-
band was as anxious as herself to ex-
press his gratitude personally to one
whose skill had SO greatly benefited
her. and TO whom she yeEtured to send
most affectionate remembrances.
The girls simple words went straight
to the old mans heart. and in Il happy
languor he sank into chair. his
skull cap resting against the faded vel
vet of Its high back. his eyes closed
the better to recall the image of her
fresh beauty with its smiling frank
ness and gracious air.
From her. his memory giided almost
imperceDtioly to another girl Of Ike
age, whom he had known and loved in
years SO far back that they Seemed
part Of some past existence. Like him
self. she was OF Italian birth, but I'M
like him she pTofessed the Christian,
faith
And to his young heart none IN the
wide world was her equal Beauti-
full was she beyond all others he had
seen: her eyes like stars, her Lips a
flower. her hair shower OF wayy Silk,
and her voice nluEic-t1ls music OF
nightingaleS singing in the olive
groves in the valley Of the Arno.
And she whose heart owned him az
master was bartered to ons whose sole
recommendation Nag his wealth
Her soul cried out rebellious1J
against her unendurabie tate: her body
witheTed and twelve rno.1t;1s later was
in heT grave, where over sixty year:
she had lah1-
In his dream ne thclghs the Zirl he
had lo4sd ua@ beside hi7r. looking
young ansI beautiful aS when first he
saw Eer. hsr HAND resting ia hfS. He
had ca1t OFT Els load o. yeayS. TIE
strain OF his labovT. ard uas hnnsss1
youthful aI& the hunger OF his starved
heart was satisfied at Last. 1t needed
| no wuTdE OF hers to sss:sur@ him that
hencefos1h they uoGld be vita each
| Other. never EaC1s to part. and bes1de
! this fEefrable all DerEading JOY the
world seemed as Gross.
He opened hits eyes to see a figaro
| Standing before him. tnsa vita deel
| drawn sigh he closed them once more
but again he o1peitea them to realize
| that Count Sasalj was silently watch.
| in: EtLa.
Forgive me fer having disturbed
yous dear rsesStess." he said II had nc
| idea Whel ! came I'll that goa sic t."
My dear friend. why doaa't yos
marry" 1oGeltsS ASKED hf1a abruptly.
2asseli was taken By surprise. but he
answered promptly: Marriage re
qulres' TIE consent OF two persona"
Ioa sttfl love YenetJs daught cry
| u marry Retila or none Other"
Ysr ttisse Lssss,ses!. and the wGr1c
tfssEds t:aiY Women. good and fair. Will
| I'M; tS Cheer mars loneliness"
Ihs:rp Is but one woman for me-"
The doctor looked at the man before
J ht,ss--sl model of strength. still youth,
1 f.fl. hasislsosns. and noble. There wa:
straES but ore thing WHICH could blinc
fsonl To his merits. She loves an.
otha.s' he suggested.
Tifst Is my misery responded Sa,
| sari quietly.
'Aaa viii marry lrtsal?s
iiis choice has fallen on one WHIT
h:rs iesfused HIM
The ah.tentist strsised his beard witt