The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-09-07

blessing not to be wasted under the roof
of cab.
The young man crossed the Piazza del
Duomo and turned into the sleepy Via
Ricasoli, which seemed quiet as the aisle
of an empty church. Presently, out of
the shadow, Philip saw two women APP
preaching, both evidently frightened ut
finding themselves alone i'll the street at
so late IN hour. At seeing the young
man they stopped, hcsitated, and then
advanced again. apparently treasured
by glimpse Of his honest, comedy face,
revealed in tie moonlight
"a thousand pardOuS, siGnOre, began
n sweet voice in Italian, ''but ] and my
maid are no. able 20 open cur door; pos
sibly your stronger hand might make it
yield.
The house indicated was grim old
palace, many stories high. built of heavy
blocks Of stone, ike prison. Statues
looked down from many niche, and tire
lower windows Were guarded with the
"knceling' gratings invented 10y Michel
Angelo.
Philip threw him elf upon the heavy
wrou@ht-iron fastcnings of the door, but
they refused TO give way even under his
vigorous shaking.
Tie door closes with latch inside
share blow will sometimes Open it
without tine key, which Giacinta has I'M
i'll 'A:ly lost. There is no one inside the
house to come to our rescue; we are
really in very av.;ward plight.
Tic white lace friH had fallen back
over the shoulders of the gcntle-voiced
stranger, and Philip SAW that she was
cXquisitely pretty, with the pensive,
dark eyes OF her race, and tender,
sensitive mouth. Her lips quivcred
and there VAS q hint OF tears i'll the
liquid eyes
This was too much for Philip. who,
instead of acknowledging himself ballicd
hy the door and rcsrmin% his home
Warl route, vowed within himself to see
these fair DANES safe under the shelter
of their own roof, or perish in the at
tempt. Poor old Cha inta was not,
strictly speaking, fair, but the ourcoia Of
beauty ClAanating from her Young mis-
trcSS seemed, to Philip, to encompass
TIE faithful attendant with its benign
influence
Across the street was ladder leaning
against a house in process of repair, ut
sight of which Philips look of perplexi-
ty vanished.
"Does the open window in the second
story lead to signora' rooms ?" he ask
cd, eagerly.
eyes; those are our rooms. The rest
Of the house is unoccupied, or we
could hope to wake up somebody to let
us in"
eff it is not too audacious a PROPOSE
tion," continued Philip, 81 will climb
upto your balcony, Romeo fashion, with
that ladder, descend the stairs, and
open your refractory door from the in
side
"The same thought had occurred to
me, but | did not like to express it. 1t
is dangerous height; you might fall,
and it is an unreasonable service to ask
of a stranger"
"Pray do not think of any incon-
venience it might be to me; your con-
tidence is quite reward enough. May l
make the attempt"
81 should he only too thankful,
81 have plenty of wax matches in my
pocket. Am | likely to find any obSta-
c!es to my progress between the window
and the hall door"
"No; you have only to cross one
large room and an ante room before
finding yourself at tie stairs"
With surprising dispatch Philip tilted
the swaying ladder into place beneath
the balcony of the old ip'Irzso, and began
the as ,ent.
81 beg of Won, sir, be careful :" said
the girl, lightly touching his arm for q
moment with her slender white hand.
Philip looked down into her face with
one brief, soulful glance that seemed to
say, For you l would risk my life
gladly"
Inspired by those caressing eyes fol-
lowing him so intently, Philip mastered
the difficulties and gained the ledge of
the window without more serious mis-
~