Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-02-18

On, how those cunning dears did shrek and squeal
for frightened rapture when loaded them into
the gondoa The nurse looked uncertain; then she
counted the money in her lap and seemed treasured.
pasqualo looked anxious and distraught; but l
didn't notice him.
However, when we swept into our own big. bril-.
liant sunset Canal, 1 felt trine queer | hustled
the babies furtively upstairs to Anrinas tower room.
Gamma is our little maid, pro tenn
] told her to keep them up there, for the night.
piny. and that I'd much better wait, and tell next
morning.
SO dressed and went to Melvinas room. She
doing, settled down with the home
papers. | didn't read closely for / busy franz
ing up graceful, careless Introduction Qor in
stance ooh, Meyina! Wouldn't it be lovely to take
homo three Italian orphans?D and it didn't come
easy: But. suddenly, my eye lighted on a para
graph that took my breath.
Lanedon Bogardus, Stephen Sayles, OF Boston,
weeks Italian tour. Their first stop Venice"
:" Their first stop. venice!'" gasped, forgetting
the dozy Melvina. "And that Times is Tuesday.
April 14th, and this is Saturday, the 25th! They
they're here in Venice this very minute! On, must
tell Charlotte, quick"
At that moment, in marched Charlotte. l opened
my mouth, to chant my thrilling news. Then
shut 1t, tight. Charote's pretty round checks were
less; she shaking from head to foot. "Charlotte
what as you?" cried. You're sick: You're hurt!
Oh. what has happened?'
Nothing whatever, Goosey' snapped Charlotte
go put your street clothes, this minute 1lurry"
Charlotte what on earth"
Il want you to go-to go-sigbtseeing-wit me-"
Charlotte's voice raced through dreadful sobbing
pauses. ITO St. Marks. Or the Library"
at night? We two girls, alone and only four
teen? Charlotte are you clean daft?'
Charlotte leaned back, trembling. She tried to
laugh But she couldn't. Perhaps am, she said,
finally. Then Pasquale shall take out in the
gondola till late. Late say! Come! Wen so this
mnute!"
"Charlotte!" Melvina opened one eye. "Change
your dress eat your dinner. and write your home
letters" The eye shut
We're going out Melvina" Charlotte rose up
like q grenadier.
no Put
Don't let Lucy Ann cat their heather dessert. Write
your aunt to send me my extra sewing specs
Good night, Melvina."
"Charotte." Both eyes opened, then But Char
lotte had dragged me out, dumb before this mon
Hurry" she breathed We fed downstairs, and
into the gondola. Pasquale. popeyed but obedent'
pushed off.
Lucy Ami" Charlottes face shone whittier than
the marble; she gripped my arm til l squeaked.
IF you have any mercy in you, hold your tongue
Tonight-and after! Go on, Pasquale.'
Well, I'll not try to describe that evening. Char
lotte sat like frozen wrath. We rowed up dark.
narrow lanes down broad flashing water courses;
through dusky ma2es, beneath black sepulchral
bridges; past looping cathedras, and dim gardens.
night after night; year after year.
At last, our gondCla FLASHED at our own torchlit
palace stair
ELEVEN O'clock" said Charlotte, YEARLY. "WeT
go in. We're safe, now"
l was too limp from starvation to wonder what
safe FROM Weakly l foundered ashore.
way. stood two amazing figures; small, solemn gen
tlemen, in skinny gilt-edged uniforms and cooked
hats and large white cotton gloves.
what do they want Pasquale?'
Pasquale gibbered at them; they gabbled back.
Pasquale grew excited; the little men firmly roite-
rated.
There arrives a demand, discussion. no. Sig
norma, mia, enter not l beg. Within. there occurs
of alarm, Of agitation
OF agitation, indeed, Lights flashed in win
dows; down the corridors rang angry voices,
long, fierce shout then q child 5 scream!
oh Jimmy Christmas" groaned. IT'S my or
phans"
Your orphans!" gasped Charlotte. Lucy Ann,
Are they statues you've been buylns OF what; MA
you deceive ne? Aren't they real orphans. at alp
Real oyphans!' Charlotte turned blue.
"VeritaM orphans, not" quayered Pasquale
"Snce they possess father, mother also i've broth
and sly sisters, also grandmother."
Bang. The front door crashed open, First out
shot gigantic peasant. his bull head thrown back,
trumpetng like mad elephant. the tnlesl t%ln
clung on his huge shoulder. Behind him sculheu Il
husky contadina, hugging Addolorata frantically;
then came magnificent old lady in purple satln
and blue check apron. madly embracing the big
aest twin Behind atreamed tumultuous mob, max
ing uproar fit to crack your ears. One minute they
halted; then, with yell OF rage, they s"ooped
"Thief!" "Murderess!" "Maocchio!" "Thou who
stealest children by bribe Take thy vile gold.
"Patience, paticnce." Pasquale was waving i'm
ploring arms. Touch not the Signorina! Are not
the gendarmes here to enforce!
The eendamos The little solemn men wrigged,
and qurked their moustaches.
"Gendarmes," said |. II like that! Why were
these children kept IN orphan asylum If they
weren't orphans, then? Pasquale you ana me nurse
told that their parents were all deac ana buried
that they had no clothes but these shocking rags
they wore" w 49,
Uplucliy, the conadina knew English "RI-lags!'
she remarked to the assembled multitude. - nus
names she these garments illustrious whicA J made
for my bambin from the lambreQuns OF the Du> hes'
sa! Rrrrags!"
There rose an angry mutter. My knees began TO
shake. Then, alas that darling Addoiora'a put out
her arms to me, with crow That settled it.
miserable! She has stolen the bodeS OF my
children, now will she steal their loves! shrleked
the mother. Come fly else she VIII wltch them
from u.s. tor always!" She snatched the wceny
twin from the father crammed it under her arm,
and off she new precisely like very mad hen.
After her streamed tho whole chorus. But the
big father stayed behind So did a big sheepish
brother And the two Majesties OF the Law
Then rose clamor like tin shop rolling down
. a mountain Down the stairs came Melyina. But
maybe the gendarmes didn't cover before her search
ing eye. ~ . a.,
"Pasquale what Is this hubbub? Charlotte. dis
miss these people. Lucy Ann, go to bed"
"B-but can't. They won't CO.
81 cant. either. Melvina. 1--we been adopting
orphans"