Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-08-01

such night III
Florence, with it's
violet sky sown with golden stars, is a
blessing not to be wasted under the roof
of q cab.
The young man crossed tho Piazza del
Duomo and turned into the sleepy Via
Ricasoh. which seemed quiet MS the aisle
of an empty church. Pre-; entity, out of
the shadow, Philip saw two women ap-
preaching, both evidently frightened at
finding themselves alone in the street at
SO late an hour. At seeing the young
man they stopped, hesitatel, and then
advanced again. apparently reassured
by glimpse of his honest, comely face,
revealed in the moonlight.
ga thousand pardons, signore, began
sweet voice in Italian, "but / and my
maid are not able to open our 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, like prison. Statues
looked down from many niche and tho
lower windows were guarded with the
"kneeling" gratings invented by Michel
Angelo.
Philip threw himself upon the heavy
wrought-iron fastenings of tho door, but
they refused to give way even under his
vigorous shaking.
1.-THE tiool closes with latch inside;
sharp blow will sometimes open it
without the key, which Giacinta has un-
luckily lost. There is no one inside the
house to come to our rescue; We are
really in very awkward plight.
The white lace .jichu had fallen back
over the shoulders of the gentle-voiced
stranger, and Philip saw that she was
exquisitely 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 baffled
by the door and resuming his home
ward 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 Giacinta was not,
strictly speaking, fair, but the aureola of
beauty emanating from her young mis-
tress seemed, to Philip, to encompass
the faithful attendant with its benign
influence.
Across the street was ladder leaning
against house in process of repair, at
sight of which Philips look of perplexi-
ty vanished.
"Does the open window in the second
story lead to signora' s roomsl" he ask
ed, 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 o PROPOSE
tion," continued Philip, 81 will climb
up to your balcony, Romeo fashion, with
that ladder, descend the stairs, and
open your refractory door from the in
side"
"rhe same thought had occurred to
me, but l did not like to express it. 1t
is dangerous height; you might fall,
and it is mn unreasonable service to ask
of a stranger.
"Pray do not think of any incon-
venience it might be to me; your con
fidence is quite reward enough. May 1
make the attempt!'
81 should be only too thankful"
81 have plenty of wax matches in my
pocket. Am likely to find any obsta-
cles 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 ut the stairs"
With surprising dispatch Philip tilted
the swaying ladder into place beneath
the balcony of the old paldzzo, and began
the as ,ent.
81 beg of you, sir, be careful !" said
the girl, lightly touching his arm for
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
tho window without more serious mis-
haps than cut on his wrist.
"What will Uncle Gino think of this
adventure, Giacinta2 " said the young
lady, rs their llnight-errant disappeared
within the window.
"He ought to be thankful we were
not Obliged to finish the night in the
street."
sIt is indiscreet and imprudent,
doubtless, to allow perfect stranger to
enter our rooms alone, but I'm sure he
is gentleman whom we can trust.
Do YOU not agree with mo, Giacinta ?"
a --f- lltIe COltlun Do u utouOucSU SOul
behind face like that, signorina mia.
Trust an old woman's eyes for telling
good from bad"
"a quecrish sort of an errand for q
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 OF u dcn of thieves, for
aught he knows. More likely to be n
stronghold of spooks, from the general
aspect of things. My stars what's
thnt9"
Swinging himself cautiously into the
room he had lit upon sleeping cat,
which promptly punished his intrusion
by plunging vigorous set of claws
through the young mans silk stocking.
"Hor pet, suppose" And instead
of giving the cat the vicious kick his
evil nature dictated, Philip stroked its
silken coat till n cozy purring responded
A.. L.. l..t. D., &ba 1,rht - ~, x,o =,