Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-12
MADCAP

put an arm round the child and kissed her
softly on the brow. Stella looked up at her
timidly and then put her sinewy. brown
hand in Hermia's softer one and there let
it stay. Hernia had made friend.
Cleofonte looked up from his chicken
bone and shook his huge shoulders. you
are sorry, Signora? But SO am I. But what
would you have? One must eat.
at seems pity" said Hernia, smiling:
Fabiani shrugged his shoulders and raised
his brows to the sky, with the resignation
of the fatalist. at is life-VoiG tout
The soup was of vegetables for which
the Fabian family had not paid but it was
none the less nourishing on that account.
The chicken, luxury of which for many
days the larder of the Fabiani family had
been innocent, was acclaimed with JOY and
despatched with magic haste The cheese,
the rye bread, and the salad were beyond
cavil, and the coffee, of Duchanels best,
made all things complete.
The dusk had fallen velvety and odorous,
and the stars came peeping Shyly forth.
Fabiani, who for all his braggadocio, did not
lack a certain magnificence, had insisted
that the visitors remain in camp for the
night Madame should sleep in the house
wagon with Signora Fabiani, Stella, and the
baby. Were there not two beds! As tor
Monsieur Philidor, he knew a man when he
saw one. The night was heaven sent. Mon
sieur should sleep as he and Luigi slept-d la
belle etoile.
Hermia's cover for the night assured,
Markham had accepted the invitation, and
now, all care banished for at least twelve
hours they sat in great good fellowship be-
fore the fire listening to Cleofontes tales of
the road. They forgave him much for his
good heart, and at appropriate moments
led in applause of his proves and achieve
ments. When the conversation Jagged,
which it did when Cleofonte grew weary,
Hernia brought forth her orchestra and
played for them; first the tunes she had
practised, and afterward, as she gained new
confidence in their appreciation, Santa
Lucia" and @Funiculi, funicula,' to which
Cleofonte, who had soul for concord, roared
fine basso. 1t was night for vagabonds,
carefree, night of laughter of mirth and
song. What did it matter what happened
on the morrow? Here were meat, drink, and
good company. Could any mortal ask for
more?
A FTER time, the din awakening the
\ bambino, the Signora went to bed, and
Hernia, her hand in Stella S, followed to the
wagon The animals fed and watered,
Markham settled down by the fire with his
newly found friend and lit pipe. In mo-
ment Luigi had fallen back on his blanket
and was asleep. Markham was conscious
that Fabiani still talked; but he had already
learned that it was not necessary to make
replies, and so he sat, nodding or answering
in monosyllables. A warm breeze sighed in
the treetops, the rill tinkled nearby, and
night bird called in the distance. The glow
of the fire painted the trunks Of the trees
which rose in dim majesty to where their
branches held aery among the stars. The
chains of the bear still clanked as he rolled
to and fro, until gruff @Be silent, thou!'
from Cleofonte brought quiet in that di-
rection. After awhile even Cleofonte grew
weary of his own voice, his head fell upon
his breast, and he sank prone and slept.
Markham sat for long while, his back
against the bole of tree, pipe in mouth,
gazing into the embers of the fire. He had
brought the tarpaulin that covered the dom
keys pack, and Cleofonte had provided him
with blanket; but he seemed to have no
desire to. sleep. The smile at his lips indi-
Gated that his thoughts were pleasant ones.
Hernia had learned something today,
would learn something more tomorrow, and
yet she had not flinched from the school in
which he was driving her. If he had thought
by hardship to dissuade her from her ven
ture, it seemed that he had thus far missed