Year: 1862

handkerchief, which she tied over heI
, plaits. Then she began 10 eat the bread
, her only dinner, for not morsel had
crossed her lips at Anscapri. Antonino
after moments pause, took from bas-


ket which hal been full in the morning,


two oranges.


Here is something to eat with your


bread, Laurela, said he; 'but do not


think l kept them on purpose for you;


they fell out of the basket into the boat,


and found them when I came back


from selling the rest


Eat them yourself the bread is enough


for me- ....l


But they are refreshing in this heat,


Lsurella, aud you have walked far


They gave me a glass of water up


at the vineyard, and that has already re.


freshed me-


AS you will, he replied, letting them


fall back into the baaket. A renewed
silence. The sea was as smooth as glass,
aud hardly murmured round the keel;
even the white ses-gulls, which build in
the caves, moved noiselessly to their
prey.


you might take the oranges to your
mother begain Antonino again.
'We have some at home still; and
when those are finished can buy others.


20, just take them to her; with greet
ing from me-


'Why, she does not know youl'


ssUyt 4 L y


i DO not know you either 1t was
not the first time she had disowned his
acquaintance. A year before, when the
painter FIRST came to Sorrento, It happen
cd on Sunday that,he with other young
men of the town, were engaged, in an
open space near the principle street, play.
ing at Boccia. 1t was there the painter
first saw Lsurella, who, with pitcher
on her head, walked by without observ-
ing him. The Nespolitian, struck with
her appearance, stood gazing after her,
although he was in the very midst Of the
game, and three steps might have placed
him in safety. A hard ball against his
ankle must have reminded him this was
not place where he might loose him
self in thought. He looked round, as
though awaiting an apology; but the
young sailor who had thrown the ball
stood silently aud scornfully in the midst
of his friends, and the stranger, thinking
it advisable to avoid dispute, quietly
took his departure. But the matter was
talked about, aud was again brought up
when the painter openly proposed for
Laurella.


Il know nothing Of him. she said in
dignautly, when the painter inquired 1t
she refused him for the sake of that un-
civil youth But the circumstance had
come to her ears, and when she met An
tonino she always recognized him.


And there they sat in the boat like the
bitterest enemies, while the hearts of
both beat high. Antonino's usually good
face was very red; he lashed
the waves till the foam besprinkled him;
and his lips trelnbled occasionally, as
though giving vent to evil words. She
pretended to observe nothing, put on
her most nonohalant air, and, leaning
over the side Of the boat, let the water
trickle through her fingers. Then she
took the handkerchief off again and ar
ranged her hair as though she were quite
alone in the boat; but her eyebrows still
moved convulsively, and it was in vain
she strove to cool her burning cheeks by
pressing her wet hnnds against them.


They had now got about half way
across, and no other boat was visible
the island had been left behind, the coast
before them lay Ear distant in the sun
light, and not even sea-mew disturbed
The solitude. Antonino looked around
him. A thought seemed to flash across
his mind; the color faded suddenly from
bis face, aud he let the oars fall. Invol-
Laurella turned towards him,
and fearless.


Il must make an end Of this ! burst
forth the young man; 1T has already last
ed too long, aud l only wonder at my
own patience. You say you do not know
me | Have you not seen long enough
that when with you my feelings are well.
nigh ungovernable, that my heart has
been full, and that l have longed to
speak to you? And then you put on
that dont.care face, aud turn your back
10 me-


Nv hat had to say TO you J she in
qnired shortly. i have indeed remark
ed that you wished to make my acquaint.
Ance; but had no desire to hear my
name in every ones mouth, for no end.
Yes, / say for no end, for ! should never
take you for husband-neither you nor
any one else,


Nor any one else You will not al
ways speak thus. Because yoa sent of
the painter; bah you were only child
then. The day will yet come when you
will feel lonely, and then, foolish as you
now are, you will take the first good
Offer


NO one knows his future. II is pos
sible my mind may change; but what is
that TO you?


What il that 10 mol he exclaimed,
and bounded from his seat, 90 that every
plank quivered. What is that to me
and You can still ask that when you
know the state am in. Know, then.