Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-15

ladder with her sturdy shoulder. The
ladder was little short, and where it
stopped there was need for a clear
head and iron wrist to avoid accident.
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-
haps than a cut on his wrist.
What will Uncle Gino think of this
adventure, Giacinta?" said the young
lady. as their knight-errant disap-
peared within the window.
He ought to be thankful we were
not obliged to finish the night in the
street"
lit is indiscreet and imprudent,
doubtless, to allow perfect stranger
to enter our rooms alone. but I'm sure
ne is gentleman whom we can trust.
Do you not agree with me, Giacinta?"
There couldn't be a dishonest soul
behind face like that, signorina mia.
Trust an old woman's eyes for telling
good from bad. He looks like the
blessed San Michele at Santa Maria
Novella."
Giacinta's rhapsody was interrupted
by burst of drunken laughter coming
round a near corner. To escape a
band of midnight jewellers, the two
women shrank into the shelter of
gateway.
"A queerish sort of an errand for a
fellow to be bound on, thought Philip,
as he scrambled over the balcony,
dropping himself through the dark
nav of a window into what may be
the bottomless pit, or a den of thieves.
for aught he knows. More likely to
be a stronghold of spooks, from the
general aspect of things. My stars!
what's THAT"
Swinging himself cautiously into the
room, he had lit upon sleeping cat,
which promptly punished his intrusion
by plunging a vigorous set of claws
through the young man silk stocking.
Her pet, suppose" And instead
of giving the cat the vicious kick his
evil nature dictated, Philip stroked its
silken coat till a coy purring re-
sponded to his touch. By the light of
his wax matches he saw that his wrist
was bleeding from the cut, and he
pulled out his handkerchief and hastily
bound up the wound before proceeding
further. His card-case slipped out of
his pocket with the handkerchief and
fell unnOticed to the floor.
Philip found himself in a very large
and handsome room with the rich
painting and gliding of the De Medicis
period. All was furnished and worn
now; the once elegant furniture was
dropping to pieces, and the hangings
were faded and torn. A chair lay
overturned, and the drawers of a tor
toise-shell cabinet were pulled out and
their contents strewn carelessly about,
as if one had made a rapid search for
something regardless of order.
Philip would have gladly taken
more lingering look at the old portraits
peering down at him from the walls,
some of them with dark, searching
eyes so like those of his lovely prOtege.
but feeling of delicacy prompted him
to make his way through her rooms as
quickly as possible.
He FASTENED down the stairs, lifted
the latch, and admitted the two wo-
men, more agitated than ever owing
to the disturbance caused by the
drunken men.
Il can never sufficiently express my
thanks. signore," said the young girl,
holding out her hand. You have
spared US more annoyance than you
can realize"
Giacinta covered Philips hand with
kisses, and swOre she would burn a
thick taper for him the next day at
Santa Maria Novella.
May l not know the name of our
benefactor?" the lady continued.
Philip, overjoyed at what seemed
the overture to more intimate ac-
quaintance. searched in his pocket for
his card-case. but. to his perplexity
and annoyance, failed to find it.
Might have the pleasure Of call
ing tomorrow to bring the card | seem
stupidity to have mislaid?" he asked,
with some hesitation.
Il certainly wish to know to whom
we are indebted for so great a service.
My friend, Madame de Carolat. is
coming to tea tomorrow at four. Will
you come then? But l must introduce
myself. l am the Contessa Roselli.
Now. as it is so shockingly late, l must
bid you goodnight. Thank you a
thousand times, and do not disappoint
US tomorrow"
Not for any thing under heaven"
Philip murmured half audibly. as the
heavy door shut away from him the
gaze of the girls star-like eyes.
There was now no more perplexity
in the young mans mind as to whether
he preferred Jack Templeton's sister
to Faye Norton. He had forgotten
them both, and had no thought in his
heart save for the lovely Italian.
Like culprits the two belated women
stole up the stairs to their rooms.
Giacinta lighted the old Roman lamp,
ana by its soft, steady flame of olive
oil the familiar old portraits looked
down as if welcoming them home.
why, Giacinta! what does this
mean? My desk wide open, and all
the papers scattered about. Oh. Ma
donna Mia! the money from the Libro
Aperto vineyard was there fifteen
hundred francsr' The young girl few
to the desk and plunged her hand into