davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

She laughed cruelty.
What OF 1T"
He looked at her. silent and stunned.
What OF it?" she repeated In a cool.
level voice. Am compelled to care
only for your Dieu! We might Just
as we'll come to an understanding here
now. To be frank. monsieur, all is
over between US. I thought you knew
that, but II seems must enlighten
you"
The youth taggered and clutched the
rail for support. gazing at her wildly.
"What-are you saying" he whisp-
cred hoarsely. DO you know what
you have said! You can't mean-you
Doubt"
She gave him an amused glance.
II do. Sapristi! You are a nice
boy. but young. Some day you will
learn. m'sieur. that a woman's love Is
the most ickle thing in all the world.
Au revoir. and take II not TO heart. +"
Dimly he heard the click OF her high
heels on the stone tagging. When he
looked Up she was gone. His head
sank down on his arms, and when
he finally raised IT, minutes later. his
dry eyes burned with a queer light
IL
Sonia had introduced a new Span
ish dance 20 the guests. Costumed as
a cigarette girl in a gaudy shawl, and
in her high-laced shoes, she danced a
Castilian refrain TO tie music OF cas-
tanets. a red rose between her lips.
II was a dangerous sort OF dance.
filled with the dreamy rhythm OF
Madrid and In 1t the Riberia was at
her best. II was her custom TO glide
to the table Of the Barone, pause
there, pirouette and then drop the rose
from between her lips on his table.
bow and run quickly of, followed by
the rafting applause from the diners.
On the same evening that Mario's
dream castle had tumbled down about
his ears, there was a peculiar sort OF
tenseness in the air, preceding the
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

roundl The landlord were kapin'
thin lakes for his sportin' frinds. Sure.
didn't pass part o. me time in pris-
on fer fshin' an thin lakes!'
" Tis the fine bold lad We must ha
BEEN" commented Maria.
Bowers laid down his grubbing hoe
and looked at her with a whimsical
smile.
Sure, Michael Flanagan Bowers is
the fine. bold lad yet. and We know
him well, and when the loneliness is
not pressin' on him! Since I'm not
young any more. and can't travel aisy
from place to place. from wan state to
another, I've got me a home to stay
in, but sometimes I'm the lonely wan!"
IT'S me that's tired of the travel
I'M" commented Maria But a noorse
must go with thin she's workin' fer,
an the rich ones must be eternally
chasin' the warrum in winter and the
cool in summer You'd think they liv-
ed in prison houses, the little time
they kape to their homes. Sure. I
think It's fine to have a home 10 stay
in. and had pot of gold I'd buy me
one!'
There's crock of gold behint a
deep pool in Donegal observed Bow
ers, "that'd buy many home!"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07
By Abner Anthony

Spanish dance. You could only sense
II, my friend. II was vague and shsd-
ovy but nevertheless. curious as IL
might seem. Il was felt by all
The usual opera selection oonpiet-
ed, the orchestra began. pizzicsto. the
melody OF the dance. and Sonia stepped
gayly out and into the center OF the
door. the customary red rose between
her lips. Never did she dance as she
danced that night! Diol II was mag
niAcent-inoomparablel She vas
dancing for scoti alone. and ali knsw
g.
Round. round she vhiried. accent
Ing every other beat OF the music With
. stamp Of her little foot and claekinE
her eastanets IN rapturous abandon.
At length she reached the noble
mans table. In q moment the dance
would be over. Already you were
pushing your plate aside 80 as 70 Be
ready 10 applaud. The rose fell from
her lips on the table and the Barons
smiled up In her face.
But she did not turn and run On an
usual. Instead she stood there sway
ing. Then before one could catch .
breath. she collapsed In & little heap
at scotti's feet
III.
Over the room had fallen q hush. n
was so still you could hRve heard q
pin fall. This silence was suddenly
broken by q voice from the musicians
stand. 1t was Mario, leaning over.
the same queer light blazing in his
sunken eyes.
Feel not her heart" he said calm
ly. "it is quite useless. II was poison
concealed In the stem Of the rose.
Ny compliments on your success. BA-
rome. AS she Is, you may have heri-
Something glittered In his hand
There was a shout and the rush Of
many feet. But It was too late There
came the sound Of e pistol shot. q
sharp swift crack and the drift Of
acrid smoke.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

Mother is frail. but cheerful. thank
you"
. Quaint idea, this shop!" French
went on. Mary"
Another customer entered and then
another. He had no chance 10 say
more. So he bought a box OF sailed
almonds and went away. But Mary
knew that he would come again.
She did not want him 10 come again.
He was not changed. but she was ma
terially. She wondered how she had
ever come TO engage herself TO him.
II was not because he was rich, for
then she had no need TO covet riches.
II could not have been because she
loved him. Girls are such fools" she
thought lie was romance itself 70
me. But he hadn't a spark of heroism
in him. When trouble came be failed
me. He went away and then he wrote
that letter. 30 carefully vorded. and
yet / knew what he meant He wish
ed me 10 free him. And l did. 1 was
more Disguised than hear broken. No
certainly did not love him. and
love him less now. because l see him
more plainly. / would not trade my
candy shop and present security for
all he possesses. But. then. shall
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

doors for the season. Mademoiselle
Riberia was exceedingly good TO look
upon Her skin was so different from
that OF the girls OF Genoa and Nice.
Her lips-you can see I well remem-
ber-were a vivid scarlet. and won
derfully curved. When she danced,
I can never forget It. her 1.-THE. young
body swayed to the melody OF the
strings like a joy-intoxicated fairy
dancing in the moonlight. All. but she
was exquisite. peerless! There were
many who quickly realized this, and
Mario was one of them.
The young man from Naples In all
Of his twenty-four years had never
seen anyone like her. The first night
she appeared. costumed for her dance.
he sat staring at her. over his music
rack. with parted lips II was as IL
he were gazing upon beautiful vi
sion, and when she danced. his subju-
cation was complete.
That night, high up under the roof
OF the great hotel. he fell asleep with
her name on his lips.
Sonia craved admiration. When she
saw the volinist OF the Bella Vista 8
orchestra was casting adoring eyes
upon her. she responded with heavy
lidded glances and demure little
smiles that acted like champagne up
on his romantic imagination. The
dancer missed her Paris and anything
In the way OF a Irritation she well
coined at the moment Mario. poor
lad. did not know this. How could he?
He thought his passion was being re-
turned. and when Q kissed her for the
FIRST time. one afternoon in the Roman
Gardens, back of the hotel. all the
worship in his Latin blood fared up.
"Adorata." he murmured madly.
you will love me, always as | love
youl You will love M forever
eternamente! Say il. swear It. pic
Gina mia!"
Sonia. little frightened. but
thrilled by his ardor. laughed lightly.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

hllins her glass. himself. we meet
again in San Reno after many months.
II is we'll. had expected TO remain
here but one veek-then Monte Car
10"
Out! And nowf-
He leaned across the table.
And now" he answered. II shall
stay until-until-you leave"
1T has been very nice here" Sonia
said pensively. "but ! shall be glad TO
go. Dieu! one wearies OF a place. aft
er time. does one not?"
The Barone inclined bis heavy head.
"Certamente!- he answered hearth
ly. I'm your case, the case OF one 50
charming. I would advise Venice :.
A gondolier on q moonlight night (.
you and l eh. signorina!!"
II did not take very long for Mario
10 understand how matters stood. How
could he help 1t? Scott tagged at her
heels like fat and faithful Watchdog
and his infatuation was common talk
along the broad. white verandas OF the
Bella Vista. Indeed. signore Rodolfo
had 10 take the Riberia sside and eau
ton her TO be more discreet 1t did not
look good. he said, to conduct firta-
ton with a guest so openly. She
laughed and promised.
Ny friend. when a woman has two
strings to her bow. and when these
same two trings come in contact. there
is sure 10 be a discord. Is that not
true? II was this way with the Barone
and Mario, who, innocent OF women's
wiles. suspected nothing OF Sonia and
thought Scott was trying TO steal her
from him.
He went to the Baroness suite, one
morning and confronted him.
The love OF Sonia Riberia is mine"
he declared quietly. "She is not for
you. sua altezza. Be advised. please.
Of this fact"
The Barone looking up from his
morning paper stared in amazement.
unable to credit what his ears had
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07
=
By Elsie Endicott, i,

you've in your cheeks the day. he said
70 her.
IL want to tell you something.
Michael" she quaVered. unnoticing. II
there was once q nurse gettin' old.
She agreed on a paper shed stay with
a pair until their child was u. II then
they'd give her $4,000 above regular
wage. II she left before that time she'd
not get the money. But she met .
man she loved, and she-shs thought
the man loved ker-but be has not
spoke. She-she has TO 60 away.
What ought she 10 do. Michael.
Michaers blue eyes twinkled. He
took hold OF her arms and looked into
her troubled eyes. AN I was the
man she was lovin', I'd say, Tear Up
the paper and take ne. mavournesn-
My home down there Is achfn' fer the
all the time touch o. your feet Taxa
me, and yell never have Sorrov In
satisfaction for H."
The glory OF happiness allied ard
lifted Maria. The sun had gone down,
but on the far side Of the river there
was still a streak Of gold on the tops
OF the mountains. She drew the paper
from her bosom and. tearing It IN bitz.
scattered them among the shining ga
lar leaves.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

become q candy shop. Beside the
door dwelt 3 black and gilt sign, 'Ye
Ode Colonial Candy Shoppe" Moth
ing more Or less. More was not need
ed. for everybody IN the old coast
town knew the quality Of the candy
behind that sign
Much OF the candy was made in the
rooms bei.nS the shop BY an old can
dymaker and his wife, who also lived
there. Mary Carer and her mother
occupied the rooms upstairs. Mrs.
Garner was almost an invalid. but she
managed TO get the meals and do a
little busting. and sometimes when
Mary had 10 go out she came down
and sat behind the counter Mary
tended shop and a great many times
people who did not care much for can
CO went IN there just 10 see her. Not
because she was beautiful were they
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

"Saperlotte! she answered. of
course. Have I not said II already.
m'sieu7 Have I not proved IT."
For the Eve weeks that followed. the
youth lived in a heaven OF his own
making. Sonia, battered at the wor-
ship and devotion that was hers. re-
turned his love-making with all the
acting she could coniure up for the
occasion. When he clasped her 20
him and held against his heart. she
even thrilled a little. and the kisses
he snatched from her were favored
with the sunshine OF the Riviera and
as earnest as she could possibly make
them. All, those moon-silvered nights
OF San Reno! They are made only
for love. my friend. and no one knew
this better than Mario. They were the
happiest he had ever known or could
know.
Then the inevitable occurred. Lit
tie by little glamour OF II all faded
away and Sonia failed to respond.
The kisses she gave him were hur-
ried. When he held her. she freed
herself. gently but deftly. Poor Ma
rio, none OF this did be realize. To him
she was still the exquisite creature
his first love-adored by him and ador-
ing in turn. Too soon, alas, was he TO
awaken from his dream.
There came to the Bella Vista the
wealthy Barone Antoni Scott. from
Rome. a short, stout italian nobleman.
bronzed by the sun Of two continents
and living only for the pleasure and
enjoyment life yielded him. II CHANGED
he had met the Riberia IN Paris. the
season before and his delight in see
ing her again was touching.
After her dance. that evening. at his
table in a secluded corner of the din
ing-hall they resumed their acquaint-
ance over a bottle of champagne,
while Mario waited in the fragrant
gloom OF the gardens below and won
dered why she did not appear
We'll. mia cara" the Barone said.
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

Maria sighed. Don't / wish that
crock of gold were in these two hands
of mine
IN go get the crock of gold fer
you, Maria" little John made gener-
Gus offer.
But the water in the pool-lt's
deep. deep down, little man." objected
Bowers.
Not over Maria's head?" persisted
John. "She could wade and get it
herself"
Its over Maria's head, an beyont
the POOLS a great snake. a hundred
feet long. that lies by the crock day
and night"
81 don't want the old snake to get
Maria" walled John.
Hush. mavourneen. there is no
snake and no gold! You must have
been a fennachie in Ireland. the way
you tell tales here" she said to Bow
ers.
Would you believe me, an I told
you a tale that you might some day
get home, an We wanted it. without
money and without prIce?" he asked.
That evening when Maria's charge
was asleep she bent over him with
wistful tenderness. For all you're a
terror the times" she whispered. this
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

never have the chance"
That evening after the shop was
closed and her mother had retired and
the old candy workers had gone 70
sit beside their lamp. Mary went into
the garden OF the old Doubleday house
10 sit alone and breathe the air. II
was a neglected garden, yet lovely
still with its fringes OF hollyhocks and
mats Of feverfew, columbine and love
in-the-mist Mary sat down on the
bench under the dwarfed sumac,
with her face toward the haroOr which
glittered with lights. The sound Of q
band playing there and the beIls of
the yachts came 10 her on the salt
breeze. She clasped her hands behind
her head and leaned back resting and
dreaming
Presently she turned her head and
saw a man standing within ten feet of
where she sat. looking wistfully at her
He was very tall and dark and strong
looking. His head was bare. and his
negligee shirt showed his magnificent
throat
"Fairyland. isn't il, over there?" ht
said and pointed with his pipe. Don't
you wish you were there. Mary. where
they're dancing and laughing? You
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07
Changes Wrought by Misfortune

every necessity for her feeble mother,
she stood up and squared her shoulders
to the burden. The candy shop was
an inspiration. She rented the old
Doubleday house, whose situation
made It desirable. and opened her
business. A single season made her
candy famous.
One day a most beautiful yacht came
into the harbor. From the narrow
street that twisted past Ye Olden Co
lonial Candy Shoppe Mary saw the
funnel and spars and swapping pennon
of the vessel. Somehow she thought
of Nicholas French: he had almost
passed from her mind as from her ex-
istence. The last She had heard OF
him he had gone yachting round the
world.
She was not disconcertingly sur
prised when that afternoon she turned
from her shelves TO see him standing
AZ her counter, the same ccurtly gen
tlemau with the same selfish heart
How do you do. Nary" he said
and held out his hand. She gave him
her finger briefly. Fine little place
you have here You're looking well
How is your mothers health?" he was
embarrassed. Mary smiled q little
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

Irish fools a lovin' you, and she'd
hate to give you up, but
"'Tis the best pookin' I've ate since
1 left the old sod Bowers declared
wistfully the next time Maria and lit
tie John were out with him, and Ma
ria produced a picnic lunch she had
prepared herself. When you are gone
to the north. mavorneen. I'll get no
more picnic dinners like these"
For three words I'd not go to the
north" burned in Marias heart. For
the love of Mike. say thin. mani" she
thought.
At the end OF the week Mrs. Nugent
informed Maria that in answer TO a
telegram in two days they would start
for. New England. That night there
was no sleep for Maria. but II was
near dusk the next evening before her
mind was made up. Just before sun
set she led little John past Bowers
house. His face lighted at sight Of
her.
Us there anywhere could be speak
ing TO you without the whole town TO
be listening TO what we'd be saying?'
she asked him.
High up on the mountainside Bow
ers stopped 10 gather a spray OF the
pink arbutus. "'Tis the pink aT II
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

belong there"
"oh, no. Dan. belong here" Mary
said. "sit down" She made room for
him beside her.
He crouched forward with his pipe
beween is hands, letting il trail its
smoke into the air unnouced. Every
night he came UP the steps from the
house below and they sat together
talking. They had done il for three
years. and yet somehow tonight was
not like all the other evenings they
had passed together.
That's Frenchs yacht where all
those lights are" he said Mary did
rot answer. Mother said she saw
him going into your shop today"
Yes"
Mary! He didn't want just candy.
He wanted 10 see you They say
he's wild over you. and that's why he's
come back l heard him talking my
self today on the wharf 10 Bert Merri-
thew. I saw her. he said Heavens,
Bert, what a fool | was to give her
up. Shes worth all the women ever
knew. And I'm going to have her
now. Those were his words"
Mary put out her hand and laid IL
ever so lightly on the big shoulder
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

describe it--one can only live Il Let
n suffice. however. when I say the
Mediterranean IL never as blue as Il is
thoa, air Is never so soft. so sweet or
ths flowers 30 brilliant II is Para
disc, my friend, a garden OF love where
birds Jt1g from dawn TO twilight.
Mario De Stefani played first violin
n the orchestra OF the Hotel Bella
Vista He was a thin. understood
youth. with q profusion OF black. cur
II hair and pale. oval face OF the mu-
stefan and student. He was born, ]
believe. near Naples, and like the ma
ior4ty Of young Italians OF the present
day. an excellent musician.
Music 70 Mario was like the love
Of beautiful woman-he lived for II
alone, at first All, but you should
have heard him play his violin solo
20 the supper crowd At the Bella Vista.
Do mioi the bow between his thin.
white fingers held them spellbound.
AND When he nnisheo, my friend, the
applause was deafening.
Early IN May. Signore Rodolfo, the
stout and amiable proprietor OF the
hotel. sent to Paris for two or three
cabaret performers. He did this very
much against his will and at the earn
est request OF his foreign guests,
American and English. who were un-
happy unless they had a vaudeville en-
tertainment to give zest to their meals.
Ny friend, II was an evil day when
Rodolfo listened to them. will tell
you why.
There was sent to San Reno. Sonia
Riberia, a dancer from the Palais Mu-
sic Hall IN Paris. which had closed its
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

curious concerning her-although she
had looks that many a woman who
owned a yacht and limousine and a
summer place might have envied-but
because she who had once been rich
ard a belle and had come OF one Of
the Oldest families in the state was
now presiding over a candy shop in
the very town where her naughty an
cestors lived.
Mary knew this. but she sold them
candy as calmly as II she did not.
Nothing could undo her composure.
She had made one swift step from the
past TO the present in We olde Colonial
Candy Shoppe. Misfortune had over
taken her in a night She had been in
the height Of her happiness; her debut
still a topic of conversation: her en-
gsgement to Nicholas French Just an
nounced. when her father shot himself
and precipitated the ruin OF bis affairs.
The shock nearly killed Mary's moth
er. but Mary herself was Drawer. When
she found that everything they bad in
the world belonged TO somebody else
and that the man she believed IN had
forsaken her and that her own head
and hands must provide every bit OF
bread she ate in the future as well as
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

their visit to the rustic furniture man
little John reminded her. THE stick
man said could go on the mountain
with him when he went for more
sticks this morning, Maria!"
To his surprise Maria needed no
urging. The little company had climb
ed more than two miles up the noun
tain road, past groves of laurel and
patches of rhodendron before Bowers
began to cut out his sticks and roots
Sure. there be plinty of shrubbery
all along" Maria wondered. Why
not get the timber closer by the
town."
Bowers laughed. "Plinty, indade,
frind. but the closely mountain sides
belong TO the man that ownse the hotel
where We and the chkld's people do be
stopping. And these rich vans won't
let you get twig off their lands: no.
not even if they have no use for il
theirse'fs at all-at all! So | gather
my wood aft a frind's lands up here"
TITS the way they do things in Ire
land, too" remarked Maria Bowers
smiled grimly. There were lakes
close where l were born and lived to
my twintieth year, with many a meal
o. fish in 'em, and my father and my
mother Twin on pitaturs the year
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07
Too Suggestive.

Sandy Pi<es-You didn't remain at de
wayside cottage long,
Gritty George-No, de lady was too
poetioal She pointed over 10 de sunset
and said de clouds reminded her OF bars
OF steel. thought it was time 70 beat
It"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

Hat appeared 10
have once been a
magnificent o | d
% a n s I o n had,
through the reaches
OF commercialism.
been turned into a
busy little mart.
The old house had
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

your Maria at the creek"
Maria Maher. a gray haired, slender
woman In black. seized the chubby
hand OF John Hsrtwell Nugent, Jr..
but the hve-year-old poked out a cum
ningiy impudent red lip. and, twisting
loose from her fingers. ran down the
littlS street IN front OF the resort
towns railroad station
One end OF the porch OF the third
implanted house on the next narrow
street was crowded with rustic ware
log cabin" bird houses, hexagon
shaped hanging baskets, cases and
chairs IN a hanging basket. depend
ing from the ceiling. some red brown
leaves OF shamrock grew thrifty. and
from its handle a bit OF faded green
ribbon dangled, nuttering IN the
breeze
The child ran up the steps. What
shu-makin'?" he demanded in HIS soft
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

friend. II you have
never seen San Re
mo IN the spring
time. your life is as
yet incomplete. II
Is then that we Of
the Italian Riviera
really exist. Diol
II Is quite futile 20
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-07

II, John, darlint, that
will not be the way
20 the hotel! COON
this way. this min
ute. you with the
two feet av We like
mud cakes, for
cause you wouldn't
be after mindin'