Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-09-30
CHAPTER Xxx.
THE GREAT NJ

1T was a midday late in January. the
date on which Edith had beer taken
i'll, and the Angelus bells, ringing with
n sleepy rhythm all over
Pisa, We're 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 communi-
eating with his laboratory, DR.. Zoffani
stood by one of the deep recessed win
dows, whose light fell on a letter writ
ten in his w 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 10
the man she vas engaged to marry had
caused a relapse of her condi-
ton; but that, owing to the medicines
he la 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 ventured to send
most affectionate membranes.
The girls simple words went straight
to the old mans heart. and in a happy
languor he sank int a 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 glided almost
impeTceptibly to another girl OF like
age, whom he had known and loved In
years SO far back hat they seemed
part of some past existence. Like him
self, she was of Italian birth, but I'M
like him she professed 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 a shower of wavy silk.
and her voice music-the music of
nightingales singing in the olive
groves in the valley of he Arno.
And she whose heart owned him as
master was bartered to one whose sole
recommendation was his wealth.
Her soul cried out rebelliously
against her unendurable fate; her body
withered and twelve months later was
in her grave, where owe sixty years
she had lain.
In his dream he thought the girl he
had loved was beside him. looking
young and beautiful as when first he
saw her. her hand resting In his. He
had cast off his load OF years, the
strain Of his labors. AND was himself
youthful and the hunger of his starved
heart was satisfied at last. 1t reeded
no words OF hers to assure him that
h~enceforth they would be with each
other, never more to part; and beside
this ineffable all pervading Joy the
world seemed as dross. =
He opened his eyes to see a figure
standing before him, then with q deep
drawn sigh he closed them once more,
but again he opened them to realize
that Count Sasari was silently watch
ina him.
Forgive me for having disturbed
Won. deav master" he said: II had no
idea when I came In that you slept"
my dear friend. why don't you
marry" Zofano asked him abruptly:
sasari was taken By surprise. 2 ne