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


adventure, Giacinta: " said the young
lady, as their knight Grant disappeared
within the window.
He ought to lie thankful we were
not obliged to finish the night in the
street"
at is indiscreet and imprudent,
doubtless, to allow perfect stranger to
enter our rooms alone, but I'm sure he
is a gentleman whom We can trust.
Do you not agree with me, Giacinta -
"There couldn't be dishonest soul
behind a face like that, signorlna mia.
Trust an old woman's eyes for telling
good from bad.
"a queerish sort of an GRAND for
fellow to be bound on, thought Philip,
as he scrambled over the balcony,
dropping himself through the dark
NAV of window into what may be the
bottomless =. or n den of thieves, for
aught he knows. More likely to be
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 eat,
which promptly punished his intrusion
by plunSing Il vigorous set OF claws
through the young mans silk stocking.
"Her pet, L suppose" And instead
of giving the cat the vicious kick his
evil nature dictated, Philip stroked its
silken coat till coy purring responded
to his touch. BY the light Of his wax
matches he saw that his wpist was bleed
ing from the cut, and he pulled out
IL. ,,1 hoctil1- hound m,
the wound before proceeding farther.
His card case slipped out of his pocket
with the handkerchief and fell unnoticed
to the floor.
Philip found himself in very large
and handsome room with the rich
painting and gliding of the De Mcdicis
period. All WAS furnished and worn
now; the once elegant furniture WAS
dropping to pieces, and the hanGings
We're faded and torn. \ chair lay over
turned, and the drawers of a tortoise
shell cabinet were pulled out and their
contents strewn care!essly about, rs if
one had made a rapid search for some
thing regardless of order.
Philip would have gladly taken a
more lingering look Mt the old portraits
pecring down at him from the walls,
some of them with dark, searching eyes
so like those of his lovely protcgee, but a
feeling of dclicacy prompted him to
make his way through her rooms rs
quickly as possible.
He hastencd down the stairs, lifted
the latch, and admitted the two wO-
men.
Il can never sufficiently express my
thanks, siGnorc," said the young girl
holding ont her hand. "You have
spared us more annoyance than You can
realize. May Enow the name OF our
benc:actOr :"
Philip, oycrjoycl at what seemed the
overture to = more intimate ac,uaint-
ancc, searched III his pocket for his
card case, bat. t. his pcrplcXity and
annoyance, failcl to find it.
"Might 1 have the pleasure of calling
tomorrow to bring the card | seem stu
pidly TO have mislaid :" lie asked, with
some hesitation.
~ certainly wish to know to whom
we are indebted for so great a service.
My friend, Madame dc Caro!at, is com
ing to tea tomorrow at four. Will YOU
come then! But | must introduce my
self. am the Countess Eoselli. Now,
as it is so shockingly late, l must BID
You good night. Thanky YOU thousand
time, and do not disappoint us to-mor-
row."
"Not for anything under heaven"
Philip murmurcd, half audibly. as the
heavy door shut away from him the gaze
Of the girls star-likc eyes.
Like culprits the two bclated women
stole M the stairs to their rooms. Cha
cinta lighted the old Roman lamp, and
by its soft, steady fame OF o!ive-oil the
familiar old portraits looked down as if
Welcoming them home