The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-22

the other vehicles. One of my Italian friends, Luigi Savelli, told me the prince was jealous, and that he allowed his wife no liberty, adding that she had run away from her convent to marry him. TO membered the footman's words and be gan to believe tho statement, notwith. standing my knowledge of the watchfu care with which the church guards he- children.
 When thought my work nearly done Prince Gherado became fastidious about the dress, and objected te the color of the fan and my treatment of the lace. Il seemed as if he did not wish the picture finished. began to weary of the altera tions; and alter repainting the portion: twice, told him l did not consider the work improved, and that must decline more changes.
 l went one morning early to try for the last time at the lace, when, on taking ur my palette, l noticed on it large patch ot green paint, which certainly had no, left there, and on it, traced in black let. ters, were the English words: "Help me Stay till six.-A."
 This was strange. It savored of an ad. venture. Who was "Ap What did he or she want? Could 1t be the princess Her name perhaps was Amaranthe. would certainly stay till six Before that hour tho door close to my right hand opened; the rustic of dress again her. aided the entrance of the princess. had large open tin box by my side, and as the lady was passing 1t, she dropped hes fan it fell behind her, and the prince stopped to pick it up. At that instant a tiny scrap of paper futtered into my box and l, percetving it, closed the lid as rose to salute my visitors. The princess spoke no word to me, but made some rapid and not favorable criticisms on my work in Italian. spoke to tho prince in the same language, as feared his wife might not know understood her re- marks, which were not of tho most polite description. She did not appear to heed this. in fact continued her strictures. the gist of which found to be her dis pleas ure with tho hair she thought it required much moro careful finish. l reminded the prince that must leave for England in fortnight; therefore. my work at tho picture must soon cease, and that 1 did not think could improve it. He was quite satisfied, and told his wife that when 1t hung in the place of the original she would confess it was we'll done.
 did not dare read the note till arr rived at my rooms; but once there, l speedily made myself master of its con- tents: It was written in Italian, and ran as follows
 trust you, for your face is good and kind, and you are English. 1 am most unhappy woman, prisoner and a slave. must re- turn to the convent. There shall be able 10 communicate with my uncle, Cardinal ot my wrongs, am so watched Will you help mel If so, write "Yes :" on your pal cite, and will tell you what to do. A.
 This was startling certainly. pon- dered on the request, and was greatly disturbed. Why should I, peaceabie Cuthoert Ainsley, mix myself up with the family troubles of an Italian household Then, on the other hand, the lady might really be nhappy-illtreated even and 1t all events 1t did not seem very wrong ot her to wish for free speech of her uncle, or even to go back to the convent for a time. knew Cardinal Bandinelli well by sight and name; he was said to be a most amiable prelate, and he looked gen. tleness personi6ed. Perhaps Amaranthe only wanted mo to take him a letter. Anyhow, the love of adventure, the idea ot succoring beauty in distress combined to determine me to accede to the lady's request; and before leaving the Palazzo next day, traced in small black letters on red patch the word "Yes," which would not be noticed unless sought for, as 1t looked like idle touches of the brush.
 The following day on recovering my canvas found pinned round the edge littls slip of paper on which was written " Thank you. The day before you go leave in your box coil of rope thirty feet long with strong hook attached. Send by safe hand the note you will find addressed to my uncle"
 hastily hid the paper. Scarcely had done so when the door on my left opened and admitted the prince. He was pleasant as usual. trusted he per ceived no confusion in my manner. He crossed the room to a door in the wall behind me, which faced one on my right hand, and went out. There was a quaint SA~ AsASAASASA Auuk IdbnCt D., which tipped slightly forward, aud in which could sec the reflection of the wall behind me with its two doors A few minutes after the prince left, bent to take something from my box, and as raised my head, saw in the glass above me the reflection of his face gazing fixedly at mo through the open door, with SO in- tease. wicked, and cruel an expression that the features seemed transfomed | turned sharply; but he was gone.
 CHAPTER II.
 The day before was to give up work at the Palazzo, l took with me a coil of rope, wrapped as parcel, much wonder ing what Amaranthe would do with it The incident of tho reelected face of her husband haunted mo, and determined mo to have no hesitation in fulfilling the