The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-28

Emilia looped the crochet thread
over her plump forefinger.
so many wish you well, Made
lena" she said, how will you choose,
! eh7"
Madeleine, leaning on the counter,
rested her rosy chin in her hand
"CheI" she replied, dimpling, how
DO l known"
But, since your father is dead, you
must marry" urged Emilia; there is
Silvestri now, he has already a splen-
did business for barber, and he does
hts hair lovely"
Hes getting bald" retorted Made
lena scornfully. Soon he will have
but fringe OF curls, like old Pape
Popolizio"
what Of it? One does not think Of
these things when one is married"
Madeleine gave her an incredulous
look from under beguiling lashes. She
had the velvet beauty of a rose and
her string Of pink coral matched her
lips. The little newsstand had been
her fathers; she was sole heiress and.
consequently, the most courteA belle
on Grand Avenue. The neighbors felt
1t a duty to chaperone her. Emilia,
with her feet on the little stove, was
killing time in that capacity now,
while she assiduously crocheted lace.
There is Pietro Miserendino," she
continued dispassionately, "he has al
ready a grand cobbler's shop. He
asked me twenty cents for my heels;
he is a robber and will. therefore, be
rich"
Il do not like Pietro."
Emilia sighed. well, there is, OF
course, your Signor Pious, he is Jew
but II you could convert him, eh?"
Madonna, that nose!" exclaimed
Madeleine, with feeling.
"One does not make ones nose," ar
gued Emilia philosophically, land he
might give you a diamond ring"
Maddelena looked thoughtfully at
her pretty brown hands.
"Che-e-e!" she exclaimed scornfully.
''He is as mean as meant would be
window-glassl"
- Zone would suppose you were al
ready in love-" commented Emilia
archly, you raise so many objections
"In love-I?" Maddelena blushed
scarlet. "Che-e, you're joking"
why not?" replied Emilia, signing
softly. II also was once in love, Mad
delena mia"
Maddelena made no answer; she
commanded a long view through the
little show-window, her eyes glowed
with a gentle radiance which could
not have been invoked by the sight of
Ahe white goat tied to Pape Popolizio's
rea railing.
AEmilia crocheted one row. There
Is Taw a great match, Gigi Napoli.
tano; Ne, is rich, his father makes
much money at the circolo dAnnun-
zio."
"Pooh!" said Meddelena. ''he is
lame. I will never marTy a cripplail,
AS she spoke the door opefi5u Tor a
young man. His handsome face was
rosy with the winter cold, his tall fig
ure shapely, even in his rough, dark
working clothes. He set q plant
wrapped In tissue paper on the coun
ter.
"a happy New Year, Maddelena!'
he said gayly Here is a flower fol
your window"
The radiance in Maddelena's eye;
was slightly yelled by those beguilint
lashes. She peeped into the paper
cornucopia.
"oh, Giovanni! A Christmas rose
It is lovely!"
mot so lovely as you, Maddelena!
he retorted CALAMITY.
Emilia coughed and rose from he
chair; she went out back and exam
ined the ash-heap. 1t was not inter
esting, but as a chaperon Emilia hat
points.
Mona Lisa's head came out Of tn
window next door. who is there
Emilia? Silvestri, eh?'
d"Altro!" smiled Emilia, "only younl
Giovanni"
Mona Lisa disapproved. Young an,