The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1912-01-27
THE DUKES FRlEZE.

renity. The afternoon sun cast long
shadows athwart the grass and toll
the hour on the old stone dial; a
one side a tiny lake rippled and dim
pied in the gentle breeze, while some
white and purple lilies swayed up an
down with the movement of the wat
er like great butterflies about to ligh
on a flower. Near the old stone dial
two young men sat talking with low
cred voices as if in sympathy with
the quiet and peacefulness of the
garden. The elder of the two sat on
a carved stone bench, while his com
panion lay at his feet on the grass
lazily tossing pebbles at the goldfish
in the pool.
1T is good to be out Of doors and
idle on a day like this" the one on
the bench was saying.
THE last blessing is the BEST" the
other answered, a smile curving his
lips. my heart sorrows for the
poor contestants working away in
doors, shut off from all the rest of
US"
Angelo, the youth on the bench,
sighed
''If only this wretched hand of
mine-Why-why, Bernador, why now
of all times did l have to fall to quar-
reling? A knife-thrust-a mere moth
ing-but enough to keep me from en-
tering the contest?"
my poor Angelo" Bernador COM
forted him, there will be other con-
tests. If not the Dukes frieze-por-
traits, mural tablets, what not? Let's
wish the others joy of their Efforts"
rs there any probability of success
for any but Mario?" Angelo rejoined,
still with some bitterness.
"Wh-Whew." Bernador puckered
his lips, red and moist as a girls,
and whistled softly. Now ! see the
reason for your black despair Rivals
in more than one direction" He
cut himself short, seeing that his lev
ity irritated his companion. "A thOus-
and pardons! Let us go to my
rooms. l have some capital Chianti
which may atone for my thoughtless'
ness"
He sprang to his feet and with his
arm about his friends shoulder, led
him out Of the garden.
By the light of many candles Ma
rio worked at his design for the
Dukes frieze. On the morrow the
contest was to close, and there still
remained many details to be worked
out, still several changes to be made
here and there. Outside storm was
brewing. The wind walled dismally
around the turrets, and penetrated
the cracks of the time-worn building,
the candles flare and burnt
all to one side so that the hot wax
ran dripping down the stem of eachl
But, so intent was Ma
rio on his work, that he gave no heed
to sight or sound of the storm. Sol
absorbed was he that not even when
the lock clicked and the door swungI
open did he look up, though for manyl
days he had been allowed no visitors.
The guest stood moment irreso-
lute-then, MY Mario" he called
in sweet, soft voice.
Brush and rule clattered to the
floor, and the young artist wheeled
about, utter amazement pictured in
his face.
"Who dares -" he began.
Laughing, the visitor snatched his
plumed cap from his head, lettingl
fall a mass of brown curls.
"Tita."
The girl threw her arms around
the artists neck, and held up her
lips, childlike, for kiss.
Aren't you glad to see me, below
ed? Oh, but l planned it we'll, my
visit" Again she laughed. 81 gould
Mt stand it longer, carissimo. Four
-een Observation-Disclosures thousand
years since l saw you or heard your
voice. Mario, dearest, I can't breathe
i you hold me so tightly"
After his first movement of won
ler-wonder mingled with despair
md dread as he realized the poSsi-l
Die consequences of her visit, Mario
gave way to the softer emotion inc
'itable in her presence.
"Tita, darling!" He strained herl