Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-08

IlOreuCc, WIFI lIn
violet sky sown with golden stars, is a
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 at
finding themselves alone in the street at
SO late an hour. At seeing the young
man they stopped, hesitated, and then
advanced again, apparently treasured
by glimpse OF his honest, comely face,
revealed in the moonlight.
"a thousand pardons, signore, began
q 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 a prison. Statues
looked down from many niche, and the
lower windows were guarded with the
"kneeling" gratings invented by Michel
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 inside:
q sharp blow will sometimes open it
without the key, which Giacinta has I'M
luckily lost. There is no one inside the
house to come to our rescue; we are
really in very awkward plight.
The white lace fchu 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 quivered,
and there was hint Of fears in the
liquid eyes
This was too much for Philip, who,
instead of acknowledging himself bailled
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 Giasinta was rot,
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.
'tDoes tho open window in the second |
story lead to siguora' rooms 7" 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"
'If it is not too audacious q PROPOSE
ton, continued Philip, 81 win climb
up to your balcony, Romeo fashion, with
that ladder, descend the stairs, and
open your refractory door from the in
side
1.-THE same thought had occurred to
me, but / did not like to express it. Ii
is dangerous height: You might fall,
and it is an unreasonable service to ask
of a stranger"
pray DO not think Of any neon
venience it might be to me; your con-
fidence is quite reward enough. May
make the attempt."
81 should be only too thankful"
al have plenty of wax matches in my
pocket. Am likely to find any obsta-
Giles 20 my progress between the window
Ind the hall door Z"
"No; you have only to cross one
large room and an ante room before
finding yourself at the stairs.
With surprising dispatch Philip tilted
the swaying ladder into place beneath
the balcony of the old palqzzo, and began
the ascent.
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 ! would risk my life
gladly" I,
Inspired by those caressing eyes fol-
owing him SO intently, Philip mastered
he difficulties and gained the ledge of
he window without more serious mis-
maps than a cut on his wrist.
tWhat viii Uncle Gino think of this
adventure, Giacinta said the young
adv, as their knight-elrant disappeared
within the window.
"He ought to be thankful we were
lot obliged to finish the night in the j
treet
at is indiscreet and imprudent, !
doubtless, to allow a perfect stranger to / ]
inter our rooms alone, but I'm sure he
S a gentleman whom we can trust. (
Do you not agree with me, Giacinta p ]
There couldn't be a dishonest soul I
,ehind a face like that, signorina mia. I
trust an old woman's eyes for telling
god from bad" {
"a ,-ueerish sort of an errand for a |
slow to be bound on, thought Philip, '