Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1904-03-19
A STRANGE LEGACY.
ZEE FL EaH EH H3 8 Ell sE m E E3
O~

kill him to be sent to such a place
L KNOW feel it-just as it would
kill me to be sent there. Our crue
fogs have brought him to deaths door
and as he has lain insensible-up there
-delirious, raving-his tongue has told
me the tale of his sunny home away
yonder in Italy, of the poverty which
drove him here to earn his bread, of
his music, which is like life to him
And now-now he is better be patient
still for a little longer. 1 will give
MIN all the attention / can and save
you as much as possible. The money
that is owing you 1 will pay, willing
ly, little at time. See, here is
some that l have earned working late.
Take it and let me have my own way,
won't you? All, you will Thank you,
Mrs. Bird! AS l tend him and help
him, poor fellow, so 1 pray that a
woman's hand may help the man l
love, should he need it,"
She turned slowly, and mounted the
stairs. Mrs. Bird looked after her
a moment irresolutely. "Humph!'
she muttered, that gals too good for
this world"
y
"You are better-ah, I'm so glad.
Now lie STILL or 1 shall be angryw
Angry, you cara mia! All, but no
how can an angel be angry?"
Mary smiled. your illness has not
made you forget your compliments, "
she said, lightly.
Mary MacAllister had stolen into the
sick mans room, after taking off her
hat and jacket, and had found him
up and dressed and sitting in front
of the fire. The freight shone on his
handsome face, so drawn and pale, on
his hands so thin and white. Mrs.
Bird had during the day given off some
of "her views" and Carlo Terrini
knew for the first time what Mary
MacAllister had done for him in the
hour of his extremity.
Compliments What words of mine
can be called compliments, after what
you have done for me?"
Mary started. you know?"
Eyes, the good Signora Bird has told
me-"
Then she ought not to have done
so. 1t is nothing-nothing. l repeat
And you must not think of it again,
orr
She paused and the man locked at
her inquiringly. "Or what, Mees Mac
Alleester?''
"Or l shall not be able to come and
see you-or-or help you any more"
But" said Carlo weakly, IL do
not understand. 1t is but the truth.
You have saved my life, mia cara mia !;
L must thank you'll must pour out
my gratitude to you from my SOUL"
He stopped, exhausted, for a mo-
ment, and then went on excitedly: Il
I have been thinking of you, long
ing to see you-to look on you-to
perhaps-be able to take your little
hand-so-and kiss it, and let fall my
tears-as of blood, on it, You have
saved my life-you have done more
you have inspired mel have been
dreaming a picture of you, as l lay
watching the fire, vision of goodness,
so high, so pure, so true, and the
melody came. l heard, somewhere
away up above me, in Gods air, a host
chanting your praises; the music they
sang was the melody my soul has
sought so long, put it in my work.
That work at last will be complete.
1t will triumph, for none can resist
such music as this"
He rose abruptly, with sudden
strength. Then he staggered across
the room to where a violin lay in its
case. Mary MacAllister uttered a cry
and laid a restraining hand ON his
arm.
What are you doing?" she cried.
you will kill yourself if you exert
yourself like this"
The violinist took up his instrument
and crept back to his chair.
mo, it is life to me to play, and
you must hear. Then you shall tell
me if it is good enough for my opera"
He seated himself and began to
play. The girl, seeing remonstrance
useless, quietly dropped into a seat
and listened. For few moments she
heard only music she had heard him
play before-in the days when he was