YOURS WITH ALL MY HEART 



for the longed-for footfalls. They must 

 reach him at last, echoing along the walk, 

 and nearer, nearer, till the springing 

 tread should sound out, clear and firm, on 

 the piazza floor, and the smiling face of his 

 master meet him, through the glass door- 

 way, just as it used to be. 



Oh, why so silent ? Why so long ? Again 

 he appealed to his watching mistress and 

 the gentle grand-dame, with her silvery hair. 

 Would they not watch ? Would they not 

 listen with him ? Why should they weep, 

 now, when the master was coming ? Why 

 not fling wide the door ? Listen, listen, 

 it is almost time. 



Tony searched their faces with intense, 

 almost human questioning, then dropped 

 his little head downward and forward, as 

 though to reach forth to meet the sound his 

 waiting soul was yearning for. 



Tick-tack, tick-tack! The tall clock on 

 the stairs measured only the muffled foot- 

 falls of Time, till full five minutes of stifling, 

 heartbreaking silence fell. The little listen- 

 ing ears drooped lower, the bright, expec- 

 tant eyes grew dimmer, and cast one more 

 appealing, piteous look at the two mourners. 

 222 



