Evening star., 1928-02-15

fMs,teo Bandel,o was ar Italian writer Of
taies " hn lved IN the sivteenth century. He
"3s Dominican munk.t
| Once there was beautiful woman
who was very cruel to her admirers, and
IN particular 10 one Filiberto. who
heartily loved her and protested that
he would do anything she wished Now
1t was the custom in those days for any
| lady 10 receive a stranger within her
| house with kiss. but this woman even
refused this usual honor TO poor Fill
. berto
II was only through the efforts OF a
good friend that Fiiiberio was able 20
see his beloved at all. Then he told her
! the origin and growth OF his affection.
and Of his hope that she would reward
his devotions by marrying him. All she
did. however, was TO refuse him uncon-
dit.onally--though he was handsome.
man Of position and wealth. and de-
serving OF her regard.
Al last. IN despair. Filibcrto begged
only that she would grant him one Ia
'or At parting-one kiss.
Il wish l knew" said Donna Zilia.
for that was her name. whether your
affection tor me Is as strong as you
say. II ii Is, and YOU will take vow
i
will give you your kiss. I shall then be-
lieve I am truly beloved. but not until
then"
Filiberto. thinking she meant to
swear him to fidelity, eagerly accepted
these conditions and took his kiss
Now" said Donna Zilia. prepare
yourself for Your VOW. II is my Will and
pleasure that you no longer trouble me
with protesiations OF your love-~for
three years. at leaSt-~and ] therefore
require YOU, by your solemn oath. never
10 urseal your lips fol any purpose
Whatsoever untA three years from this
day"
Poor FiliDer,o vas surprised and
shocked AT this requirement.; and he
was sorry that he had 50 rashly agreed
TO take vow. But he took his de-
parture and meant TO keep the oath.
now that II had been given. Suddenly.
therefore, he became dumb, and he al
lowed people 10 believe that some acci-
dent had befallen him
He departed into France, and his love
for Donna Zilia waned under the bur-
den OF her oath. He knew that she was
no longer worthy OF his love, and re-
solved that even at the end OF the three
years OF silence he would not go back
TO her. In France he entered the serv-
ice Of the King, and conducted himself
well and bravely until the King him-
SELF noticed the dumb cavalier and TOOK
a great fancy to him
The King said that he would spare
no expense but would secure the beS.
physicians III the kingdom IN an en-
d"avor 10 cure Filiberto Of his malady
Shortly after that when Filibcrto per-
formed an extraordinary brave feat of
arms on the field OF battle, the King
became even more determined To have
his favoritc cavalier cured~and he
| proclaimed a reward of 10000 francs 10
| any one who should restore the speech
| Of Piliberto
| Hundreds Of quacka came 10 Paris
| In response TO this generous offer, bu.
| OF course, none OF them succeeded, In
| spite OF all their attempts. Flliberto re-
| NAMED AS dumb as everhe never
| spoke IL single word The King saw that
| II was "a dreadful nuisance 10 have 50
many 'akets about. 80 he changed the
conditions Of his reward.
Ten thousands francs would be- paid
To any one who could restore to Full
bertn The power 10 speak. with the hd~
ditional condition that any one who
tried and failed must lose his HE aa
"A forfeit Naturally. this soon cleared
Paris Of the influx Of qiacks but the!e
| were worthy phyalrlanh @ho loat theIi
lives before FiUbertos inability To un~
seal his lips Ignorant of his oath IN"
case ot Filiberto baffied the poor doc
! tors
| Then the news Of this reward came
To the ears of Donna Ziia She alone
kne" what Kept i"ilibcrto silent. aud
| She supposed that his silence WAS an
| expression oi love tor her Ctipidlty
| ihrn told her that she could 80 10
i'atiS. announce ii cure. and In private
session with Hitherto release him from
ilin oath aud claim the reward. Forth
Niih hhe departed for the palace.
| II am come my lords. naid Donna
Xilla before the council nf the King
hearing that gentleman Of the court
has for some time past los, his speech
| 10 restore In him that Invaluable facui-
! ~ possessing for that purpose some
secret remedies which trust will prove
| efflchci0tis In The c0tlrhe of Il fortnight