86 Lucia, the Organ-Maiden.

the cruel hole she could now hear the people talk-
ing about her, but instead of the words of praise
she had heard all her life, she found that they
were laughing at her, making fun of her. At this
poor Lucia was almost broken hearted. It seemed |
to her the very worst blow of all.

She now no longer tried to dance her best, or
even to keep up with the squeaky music, and one
day she felt very ill, and began to go slow-er and
s-l-o-w-e-r, and was about to stop altogether, and
never dance again, when she suddenly saw looking
at her, through the window a face that she knew /
A dear face with kind tender eyes, eyes that were
full of tears. She heard a voice, a long unheard
voice, saying, ‘‘ Lucia, cara mia, Lucia ‘tis I, your
Paolo, I have found you at last,’ and then the
little dancer heard no more for she fainted and
fell on the floor of the room.

Five dollars did Paolo give to Pietro for the
organ, and then the old happy days began once
more. The machinery was mended, the organ
thoroughly made over by Paolo, who understood
well his business. Lucia was beautifully and