Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-14
THE EVENING STORY

I'm hateful today didn't mean II.
III go ask her. shall ], while you
drpzs?"
Mrs. Ciolotti Ioyfully surSoz.;~~1
her wash tubs to the eldest OF her
numerous bright-eyed brood. and has
tened To array herself in the fiamboy
ant flnery her soul loved.
When the two strangely contrasting
figures had disappear red down the
street, Ellen turned desolately TO the
empty fiat. She could not practice,
she did not feel like sewing or reading
there was nothing in the world
worth doing. At last. in desperation.
she pulled on her tam.
For hours she walked. On she went.
and on. till by and by she found some
Of the ache had gone out Of her heart.
Dusk was falling as she entered her
street. but to her surprise the fat was
still unlighted. She let herself in.
wondering what could be keeping her
mother Then she saw Nrs. Eorth's
hat and gloves on the bed and with
them hastily scrubbed note: Mrs.
Giolotti has asked US to dinner. Come
on over"
Ellen wandered into the kitchen.
where Il window on the narrow court
gave an excellent view OF their neigh
bor's kitchen Yes. her mother was
there. And Mrs. Giolotti and A strange
Italian woman--an immense creature
in one Of Mrs. Giolotti's vivid plaid
bungalow aprons. She stood and
stirred an immense iron pot on the
stove, from which rose a cloud OF
steam and n pungent aroma OF TO-
matoes and peppers and garlic.
Ellen turned restlessly away from
the window. She did not want 70 join
the merry. noisy group. In spite OF
her brave resolutions. A little ache OF
disappointment still throbbed at her
heart. She went slowly into the shah
by living-roorn and switched on the
shaded lamp by the piano.
Her mother had restored 20 the mu-
sic rack the snowy aria she had re-
hearsed ~ impress madame. Impul-
siveIy she buried IL deep beneath pile
Of music. Some day she might lie able
10 bear the sight Of IL aCa:n-not now.
Her fingers. resting idly On the KEYS.
wandered into the melody the WORDS
recalled. Kathleen MauvouTneen:
Softly. absentiy the golden voice took
/, ,,p and in moment Ellen was sing
ing again. her own woes forgotten.
That was the blessed thing about her
gift.
IN
ring old ballad sighed to its close
Then as her hands dropped from the
keys every light in the room flashed
up and from the doorway came a pat
ter OF hands and a chorus of "Bravas.
Blinking. Ellen swung about on the
piano stool. The room was full OF
Giolottis. big and little. Papa Gio-
lotti was w!ping his eyes on GRIM
son .bandana and the smallest Clio
lotti # all was shifting his fat nsts
together from the shelter OF his BEAM
ing mothers arms. Before the amazed
Ellen could speak huge bulk IN pIa'd
Bingham darted toward her. scatter
inS the group right and left. kilen
felt herself enGulfed in an embrace or
kisses and passionate Italian eJacula-
tions Of which she could make moth
ing.
When the strange woman released
her at-last Ellen locked mp 10 meet
her mothers smiling eyes 1t IS Nine.
Nanecchi dear and she likes ycur
voice" she explained. trying hard 20
apnaar calm and matter-of-fact-
The plaid lady nodded vigorously
'-Si. ii. little ore. ! Ikea hseIa. she
proclaimed 1T is !. Rosa Vanecchi.
who say II "a you've shall rnske-a
from YOU the great arteest-Eke-a
me- And she suoIe her bread chest
resoundiRgly.
Ellen turned beseechingly toward
her mother. But howl Con'c IN
derstand." she faltered-
Why, YOU see" Mrs North began.
Mime. VaneSrhi and the Giolo,tis
come from the same villag@ihsir
families were neiShbo-S years ago.
Mrs. Giolo,ti did not know who she
was ;in the corcsri-she recognized
her cid PLAYMATE then. Af,erward We
went round 10 nladame's dressing
ro0Tl-
And she say Rosa. cones home Win
nls-ws u.aka d3 sTesghst. interrupt
Ell the distinguished visitor sxciIsdly.
All. ia Slashet',' she rolled her mag
rifcSrt eyes heavenward. Where
30 find heern IN deeSa conS-es: DeeSs
hotel. he have ice water. shower hath.
jazz music. everything I do no, want
they give-a ire. bur ia SrsShet' they
know not, so when my little TeS~I
here say come, We eat. ] laugh. -
joics. / come quick
Here Mrs. Gjo,ctti gave = sudden
biood-cur,'ling shrek. The pc,~- she
crits,l Wildly. We forget-ws lst him
burn. oh. beautiful heavens she
>cuysIs<i screaming into her own rat.
Madame drew t.ilsn along with q
massive arm ScrcSs her shoulders.
Presently We talk - the treasure
voice. ana wha: YOU mus, 30 20 D.
come the great SCtSsst. Su. how"
She gave her deep. fuuShrc&ce3
laugh. Now we have ether things 80
think ahna.. Couse. now. my Gt;.e crs
come and help ESSa Naascca: eatA
ia SyAshet.'"
TIRE END.
tCveVrakAs 1881