The Argosy — page 299: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

278 Mantwoneites. anyone come? Alas, alas! The hour came, there was quite a little crowd of ragged boys and men at the entrance, who had none of them a soldo in their pockets. Then two or three people came, and took the cheapest seats. Again they waited, unwilling to begin. An old man strayed in with two pretty girls. Is this all? They will wait five minutes more, and meanwhile, the man who beats the big drum at the door, redoubles his efforts. In vain. No one else appears. How long that weary evening lasted, Chiara never could tell. When at last it was over, and Luigi was able to leave his post, he found her lying face downwards on the ground, worn out with fatigue and anxiety. ‘The disappointment had proved too much for her. Tenderly he raised her, and carried her into the poor little room at the back, where she lay on the bed, looking like a broken lily, the small face so white. ._With trembling hands he felt for her heart. Yes, it beats very faintly ; she was not dead. But it was a long, long time before the heavy eyes opened, and when they did, they looked at him with a wide open stare, and with no recognition in them. Before morning a bright spot of crimson burnt in each cheek, and the little hands went straying about over the bed, as hotas fire. Chiara was in a high fever. And now began a time of agony for Luigi. All day long his darling lay there, tossing to and fro, sometimes moaning, but never knowing who it was that put the cool rags on her forehead, or moistened the dry lips. Poor little Mimi lay still and patient in his corner, and only the baby crawled about, and crowed, all unconscious of the misery around her. At night an old woman, who had known them all, and whose work was finished at sunset, came to sit in the room while Luigi managed the Marionettes ; for if these ceased to perform, what was before them but starvation? And yet nightly the gains were so few—a handful of soldi, and no more. ‘The doctor had come, and had again repeated his directions that Mimi was to have everything nourishing ; while for Chiara, he shook his head, ordered ice on her head, wrote a long prescription, and begged that there might be some very strong soup always ready, sothat, as soon as the fever abated, she might be induced to take a few spoonfuls of it. IV, Iris July. The great heat of an Italian summer has fairly set in. The sun pours down in fierce, blinding rays all day long. From early dawn, until the sun has sunk below the horizon, it is scorchingly hot. Just now, at midday, not a creature is to be seen in the great wide piazza, which looks like a blazing furnace ; no shade anywhere ; only the bright blue heavens above, and the broad white stones below reflecting the heat. Not even a dog to be seen. On one side of the piazza is a large building, the windows of CONNICLOOKS.E@) m