The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-08-26

W9zM
Copyright, 1906. by w. r. Hearst.)
The glowing monday SUI was Shin
Ing In all it's splendor on the Spanish
stairway in Rome. 1t was still early in
May, but the heat wass already 80 fierce
that h Ciocciares. those picturesque
mountaineers who make a living in
Rome as artists models. were seeking
out the few shady spots around the
famous stair.
An old man was sleeping peacefully
on h bottom step, and at his feet a
little girl was making up bouquets Of
violets to sell them on the Corso. A
few steps higher up a group of young
boys We're smoking INC looking dream
lily down upon the street. In a shady
corner Of a landing half a dozen young
girls were tanning themselves lazily.
Only one of them tried to prevent her
chums from falling asleep by teasing
them n pinching their arms and ears.
But h was not very successful, the
girls were too much used to Rosetta's
playfulness.
girl. Under her white kerchief a pair
of laughing blue eye We're always full
OF mischief, n her hair fell in heavy
natural curls around her shoulders, al
most down to her slender waist. Her
features were regular and her pouting
lips always seeroed to invite kisses.
At last, when she could not stand Ro-
setta's teasing any longer, n Of the
girls said in a hooking tone:
why don't you &c to our Carlo, or
he will again invite Assunta to go with
him to Ire Fontane?'
THAT Is not true, Ercinia,'' replied
Rosetta suddenly. turning very serious;
h never took her into the Campagna
with him."
But I tell you Sor Francesca, the
sculptor, saw them together
"Sor Francesca is an old liar!"
well, 1t is nothing to me-" replied
Ercinia in a sleepy voice.
But, in spite Of her apparent con-
hdence in her sweetheart, Rosetta's
p~layfulness had entirely disappeared.
Was it possible that her Carlino, Karl
strength Of her heart, could be faith
less to her? No. 1t could not be posi-
BILE. 1t was nothing but O lie invented
by Scr Francesca, whom she had re-
fused. To be true, h had herself seen
Assunta coming out from Carlos
house. but then h was a girl who
would run from n studio to the other.
have anything to do with her.
Rosetta stood up n walked away from
the other girls who were now SOUND
asleep. She felt an irresistible desire to
zee her lover. She did not believe what
she had heard, but she wanted to hear
him deny 1t with his own mouth and hat
he loved her alone. She went into a side
street leading to the restaurant where
Carlo always took his dinner at 2 o'clock
with a few friends. and 1t was now half
past one. She sat down upon the stoop
Of a house on the other side Of the street
and waited patiently.
Carlo was fond Of looking at all pretty
girls. but that is the way OF all the u
men who come from the north. where it
looking like half-withered lowers. So
why should they not be smitten with the
fiery beauties of Rome, especially when
they are painters. But the heart has
nothing to do with 1t, as Carlo had said
SO often. But then many girls are SO
ta's heart was tortured with jealousy.
At last she, saw Karl Reinsdorf coming
with two artist friends. He seemed glad
to see her and was evidently in the best
Of humor.
How are you little ne? Will 1 see
you tomorrow or must you again sit for
the Inglesa?"
Carlo, I must speak to you tcday-right
now" she cried e%xcttedly.
Her manner surprised him.
"What has happened, Carina mia? Tell
me everything"
She drew him into the hallway and i'm
pulsively threw her arms o his neck.
Carlo she said, looking him straight
into the eyes, carlo, are you faithless to
me? Some one told me you were. Were
you at The Fontana with Assunta ~
He laughed. but his laughter did not
sound natural n he did not dare look
at her as he answered.:
How can you believe such n%onsense3
OF course I was not there
II shall try to believe you-no. I do be-
lieve you"
Come to my studio tomorrow, cara
mia. n we shall have q long, coy chat
together. I must go now. as somebody Is
expecting me at Cafe Aragno."
With tears in her eyes Rosetta looked
after him as he hurried down the street to
Join his friends.
Why could he not look her ate the eyes?
Why had he seemed 80 embarrassed and
why this great hurry to get away from
her? Was it possible that he was deceiv-
man. for that Trasteveran girl, who was
flirting with every man she laid eyes ont
h must find out! But how?
Should she ask Assunta.? She would
never tell the truth. No. she must find
out for herself. In disguise she would fol-
lOW nef lOVerS step from morning to night
until she knew the whole truth.
She ven into a store and bought an out
At as the Roman servants wear, and when
she had put it on and looked at herself in
the mirror h felt sure that not even
Carlo would recognize her.
A strong desire overcame her tc watch
Carlos. house. n she was soon on her
way. feeling very uneasy In the unfamiliar
costume. carefully avoiding the crowded
streets n pen squares.
At last abe reached the little house 80
dear to her. and just then she raw q girl
cross the street going toward the entrance
door. She Immediately recognized AS
sunta, and. insane from Jealousy, she for
got all her plans and hurried after the girl
Into the house, w the stairs.
Assunta, hearing her steps. turned her
head and Immediately recognized Rosetta
In spite Of her disguise.
You are going to try to win my Carlos
love. when you know he belongs to me-"
Rosetta cried in a voice trembling with
emotion.
Assunta looked at her with a smile Of
contempt.