ANTONELLO.

11 GONDOLIER

9

(D) Co o

YW H

mg on his fist a shrill, rainbow-colourcd parrot. - The Venetian blinds were drawn up on both sides, and the eve could penctrate mto the interior of the boat as she flew past.

“On the cushionsreclined a divinely beauti- ful woman. A closcly-fitting, gold-cmbroidered overgarment enveloped her dainty figure, and wide,open pantaloons of Eastern cut foll over her little slippers prettily - worked in flowers. "The long golden hair descended from the snowy whiteness of the brow, and fell mocurly waves upon the shoulders and bosom. But how can I deseribe to vou the sorcery ol that Tovely countenance, the moist glance of those black eyes, the smile that played around those pomegranate Ips? As the forcign boat floated past our own, the lady put down the Tong-necked auitar, on whose golden strings her hngers had been dallying, and, with a skilful throw, cast a lily nto our cabin, calling out at the same time afew forcignsounding words. The rowers at once began to ply their oars tustily, and in the twinkling of an cyve were a hundred yards m front.

“lollow, follow, Antoncllo ! ericd the patrician. - twenty scquins are thine il we overtake her, if we discover the home of this angelic stranger.’

“* You may rely upon me, Lixcellenza s so long as the oar does not break, and my arm retams its strength, the beautiful heéathen shall not escape us.’

“And now to keep my word- -to maintain my hardwon fame. Swift as the fhight of doves fled the stranger before us, and hke a

A CKILEUL THROW, SHE s

TN LILY NGO OUR Catgr”

Dloodthirsty falcon we followed up hehind. On the Teft they trned into one of the side streets. and there secemed 1o slacken their speed as il to make sure that we had not lost their track, as if they zensied to he fol- lowed - and then once more started in wild haste through large and small canals right and left, and then straight forward —past San Nicolo till at last both the gondolas were rocking on the waters of the lagoon that lics on the road to FFusina.

“Sull onwards fled the cnchanting hoat. Sometimes it was as if o shooting star was before s, so gloriously did the sun stream down on the glittering deck, and 1 was obliged to close my eyes to shut out the glare, and cease for a mom=nt to row. Then the Count would urge me on to still greater cliforts, and 1T would fall on my knce, and drive the oar deep into the water Gl the foam swirled high o the iron-comb of the ligurc- head,

“lrome out of the pursued condola sounded now and then the sharp ery of the parrot, and then again the notes of g lute, to which the Moorish boy answered with the rattle of the tambourine, and at intervals the bewitehing, enticing voice of the Lastern, She sang

Where arcades of oleander, Purple in the gloaming show, Where n founts marmorean wander, I"ish that gold and silvern glow ; Where nightingales Sigh out their wails, To love-sick maidens murm'ring low There, there, Shalt thou with me my sceret share,