The Red Cloud chief., 1889-08-16
'CONTEssA .ROSELLI.
The Adventures of, a Modern
Romeo in Romantic Venice.

The ball at the Villa Borghese was
over. and Philip Leighton. one Of the
guests who felt the evening well spent,
was going leisurely homeward or
foot. II was a clear, moonlight night
in the bonny month 81 May. and such
a night in Florence. kith.its. violet sky
sown with golden stars. is a blessing
not to be wasted under the roof Of q
cab
Jack Templeton's sister dances like
q fairy. and keeps q fellow amused; /;
Faye Norton is SO deucedly pretty one
forsets and forgives her silly speeches.
What hair she has. Upon my soul. l
believe I'm in love with them both.
Thus musins. the young man crossed
the Piazza del Duomo and turned into
the sleepy Via Ricasoi. which seemed
quiet as the aisle of an empty church.
Presently. ont Of the shadow, Philip
saw two women approaching. both
frightened al finding them
elves alone in the street at SO late an
hour. At seeing TIE young man they
stopped, hesitated. and then advanced
Nagain. apparently reassured by a
glimpse of his honest. cOmely face.
revealed in the moonlight.
"A thousand parGons. signore," be-
gan sweet voice in Italian. ''but l
and my maid are not able to open our
door; possibly your stronger hand
might make it yield"
The house indicated was grim old
palace. many stories high. built OF
heavy blocks of stone. like a prison.
Statues looked down from many .
niche. and the lower windows were
guarded with the ''kneeling" grating
invented by Michael Angelo.
Philip threw himself upon the heavy
wrought-iron fastenings OF the door.
but they refused to give way even
under his vigorous shaking.
The door closes with . latch in
side: q sharp blow will sometimes
open it without the key. which Gia-
cinta has unluckily lost There is no
one inside the house to come to our
rescue; we are really IN a very awk-
ward plight"
The white-lace fchu had fallen back
over the shoulders of the gentle-vOiced
stranger. and Philip saw that she was
exquisiteiy pretty. with the pensive.
dark eyes OF her race, and tender.
sensitive mouth. Her lips Guivered.
and there was hint of tears in the
liquid eyes
This was too much for Philip. who.
instead OF acknowledging himself baf-
fed by the door and resuming his
homeward route, vowed within him
self to see these fair danes safe under
the shelter of their own root, or perish
in the attempt. Poor old Giacinta was
not. strictly speaking. fair. but the
aureo!a of beauty emanating from her
young mistress seemed. to Philip, to
encompass the faithful attendant with
its benign influence.
Across the street was ladder lean
ing against house in process OF repair.
al sight of which Philips look OF per-
plexity vanished.
'-Does the open window in the second
story lead TO the sigrOras 5 rooms' he
asked. eagerly.
Yes; those are our rooms. The rest
OF the house is unoccupie6 or We could
hope to wake up somebody to let US in.
IF it is not too audacious a PROPOSE
ton continued Philip. Il will climb
up to your balcony. Romeo fashion.
with that ladder, descend the stairs.
and open your refractory door from the
inside"
The same thought had occurred to
me. bit l did not like to express il Ii
is dangerous height, you might fall,
and it is An unreasonable service t.
ask o. a stranger"
pray do not think of any inconveu-
ience it might be to me: your confidence
Is quite reward enough May make
the attempt?''