Year: 1876

lcoNrINUED IRON YEsTERDAY.l


An hour before sunset the sisters left the
hotel, but instead of going directly home
the younger turned again toward Piazza
del Termini.


my head aches little. and the fresh
air will make me feel better. Besides we
had better 60 for our luggage and take
carriage home"


She spoke very quietly. There was no
longer any talk of delightful surprises.
The red cheeks of the morning had given
place to slight pallor and languidness,
but these might well have been mistaken
for the effects of travel. 'Let US sit here
while," she said: '.it is so sweet. Be-
sides an evening train has come in, and
there is crowd at the station. We will
wait till they 60 away"


Mrs. Atherton pointed smilingly to the
fountain: See your rainbow. The one of
this morning was stormy, but this prom
ises fair weather. You remember the old
rhymep


There was not breath of wind. All
airy motion had Withdrawn, and given
place to an effulgence of color, and as the
water rose and fell steadfast rainbow
crossed it brilliantly, fading off at one side
over the cross of the Madonna degli Ange-
Ii. and ut the other touching the wet gras-
sy border of the fountain in a spot that
looked as if the fabulous pot of gold under
the end of the rainbow had not waited to
be dug for, but had magically risen int o
sight.


They went to the seat where in the
morning Anne Francis had seen her hus-
band sitting. She sighed as she took his
place, laid her hand softly on the stone
benchwhere she had seen his hand rest
moment, and looked down to search if
perchance there might be some ootprints
inthe gravel she could think he had left.
No such sign was visible, but there was
withered, halt open rose lying there in the
dust, that looked as ifa foot might have
crushed it.


my DEAR" said Mrs. Atherton gently,
''your husband is coming, and in a mo-
ment he will see you. Now, don't be
toolish.n


Was it the trampled rose, or the days
sad thought, or was it love starting up and
sweeping everything else aside At sight
Of him the only sign of trouble left in the
face was such as the summer shower
leaves in the sky in passing-a few bright
drops to catch the sun, and the grace Of a
tender mist lingering here and there. He
walking slowly. looking down with an ex-
preston of gravity that was almost gloom,
but when near them quickly, as if spoken
to, lifted his eyes and looked his wife in
the face. 1t was like cymbal catching
the sun. After all, she had not missed
her delight.


1t was some minutes before the gentle
man could be made aware that he had q
sister-in-law to welcome as well as wife,
and the knowledge came just in time to
prevent the asking of questions which
would have been embarrassing at that mo-
ment.


Then, when the first compliments were
over, and the questions again became i'm
minent, Mr.. Atherton had an inspiration.
Il have whim which you two people will
be so good as to indulge me in" she said.
"Anne and | left our luggage at the station.
to walk home, but changed
our minds. Now. wish you to show your
gallantry. Mr.. Francis, permitting me to
go myself to the station while you remain
here. l am an old traveller, and l can
speak sort of Italian. In ten minutes
will be at the corner there with car
riage to take you up"


She gave him no time for objections, but
walked rapidly away. "Al's we'll that
ends WE'LL" she muttered. "He's good
fellow, and as fond of Anne as need be.
was afraid this morning, but I'll risk
them now"


"You are come just in time, Annie,"
her husband said, "for | made up my
mind this morning to start for England
tomorrow. l had begun to think you
would never come back of yourself"


She had resumed her seat, and he stood
before her to see her better-the sweet
face, the uplook swift and bright, the elo-
quent, wordlesS replies, the changeful ex-
preston.


"This morningP" she echoed.


"Yes, this morning l took sudden
disgust of life and of myself, and resolved
10 be off. l sat on the very bench where
you sit. If had but known you were so
near!"


"Dd you drop this rose P" she asked.
pushing the poor withered thing out with
her foot.


Il threw it there" he replied almost
or another. Aud you
believe, dear, who gave il to
me-


She looked up earnestly in his face. II
saw her give it to you, Arthur. We came
this morning, and was very near you
when this woman came to sit by you.
When 1 saw you put the rose in your but
onhole | felt so badly that went of to a
lotel and stayed all day. imagined you
we're being very well amused without me.
Il you had come, dear, and found me
aking a rose and smile from a man you
lisapproved of, wouldn you have felt ag-
srieved? Carrie said it was nothing, and
he has scolded me, but you kno-". She
stopped, for her voice was too tremulous
o go on, and, besides, all was said.


There was not a sign of confusion in his
ace, only astonishment, pain, and perhaps


touch Of indignation. He seated him
elf by her and took her hand. us that all
he confidence my wife has in me?" he
sked. II don't wonder you were dis
'leased-you had reason and right to be
if you had come directly to me, it
would have been better. Anne, you have
cen, actually. the only fault of which
ave been guilty, and you went just min
te too soon to see me atone tor it. Let
ne tell YOU all, Perhaps have answered