The Winslow mail., 1900-03-08
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUED.

treating hastily before me, but with noise
less footsteps; and having in mind the
strange attempts to play spy on US. / made
no doubt but that here was the culprit, and
followed up. | saw the figure turn at the
end of the corridor and enter another gal
Iery, then another, and yet another, finally
vanishing as it were against the wall. Owing
to my not knowing the way properly, and to
the semi-gloom, 1 was unable to follow fast
enough to overtake the spy, who fitted
before me like ghost, but in very human
hurry. When at length l came up to the
wall, locked to Sc if there was door OF
any kind; but could discern nothing, and was
so astonished that fer moment | felt lit
tie chilled, thinking that it may have been
a spirit after all. Fortifying myself, how
ever, with the thought that if it was spirit
it seemed in no way anxioHs to meet me, |
went to closer examination, and saw by
the moonlight that l was before door,
painted in exact imitation of the marble
wall. This settled my doubts, and, putting
my shoulder to it, | made trial, with all
my strength, to force passage, but in vain.
| therefore gave up the matter, and turned
to find my way back. This was, however,
easier said than DONE l could not find the
gallery l wanted, and, after cropping about
hopelessly for a little time, thought had
best give a shout, which would no doubt
summon some one to my aid. l was just
about to carry this into execution, when, on
further reflection, it struck me that | might
be landed in other difficulties thereby, and
that 1 might make another try to free my
self, without bringing the house about my
ears, and perhaps compromising the eee-
retary, who had, l saw, an enterprisshs and
active enemy under his reef. So stilled my
tongue and made further exploration, with
the result that / found myself before stair
way that led to the floor below me, and de-
termined to see where this would take me.
Accordingly | descended as softly as pos
sible, and arrived in few steps at e small
landing, covered by carpet so thick that
felt as if was treadfng on the softest moss.
At the end of the landing, and opposite to
me, was a half-opened door, the room In
side being in light. Stepping hoiseessly up
to the door l peered in, and saw chamber
furnished with the utmost luxury, and ap-
parently Just vacated by its occupants. In
a corner of the room stood harp, lying on
table close to low luxurious seat were sot1e
articles Of dainty feminine embroidery; soft
silken curtains shrouded The walls, and the
ceiling was painted, apparently with some
representation of the history of the house.
A white marble figure of Cupid held out at
arms length lamp, whose opal shade soft
ened its bright light; and on gilded tri-
angle, set In an alcove, swung blue and
scarlet nacaw- rare eastern bird-who,
with his head tucked under his wing, slept
In a position which would be iDtolerable
torture to any other created thing except a
bird. 1t was clear that / had invaded the
private sitting-room of the ladies, or lady,
of the household; and l was about to beat
a hasty retreat, when the screen of an inner
room was swung aside, and l saw before me
my two unknowns of the garden of St
| Michael, and the giver of the tari which had
saved me from death. 1t was too late to go
back now, as the sound of my feet on the
marble stairs would certainly reach and
| perhaps alarm them, tread | ever SO softly;
so l resolved to stay where was until they
retired again, and then go back. This
| Judged would be very shortly as it was
late. had not, however, sufficient expert
ence then, OF the lengths to which those
nocturnal confdences, in which the fair sex
| indulge with each other, extend. In the
meantime could not but admire the grace
| full figures before me, and especially of her
who had given me the tart. Clad in a soft,
clinging robe, clasped by jewel at her
| throat, and a silver girde round her waist,
with her pale, proud features set in mass
of dark hair, she seemed to me an cmbodi-
ment of pure womanhood, and | thought
! how lucky the man would be who could have
such a companion to help him through life.
| guessed also that the other was the wife
| of Machiavelli being aided thereto by her
statement, when l drove Luigi off, that her
husband was one who could help me much.
| At the same time could not but feel some
pity in my heart for her, when / thought she
was welded to a man of character SO con-
Trajectory as that of the secretary, who
could leave fair wife for the sake of indulg-
ing in low dissipation, and come back after
narrow escape with his life, to bury him
self in matters of state, or in the pelusal of
the ancients. However, there was no sign
of sorrow on her fair and mirthful face, as
with all the teasing nature of a kitten she
walked up to the macaw and stirred him up
with her white fingers, an attention he did
not appear to relish, for he rulfled his plume,
and let forth car-piercing shrek.
| "Heavens!" she laughed, 'how that bird
screams! lie is almost as cross as you, An
giola"
''Thanks," replied the other; 81 do sympa-
thize with the bird, though, for you never
| leave of teasing. 1t is enough to make a
saint cross, Marietta"
"Well, won't tease any more" and Mari
eta put her hand on her friends shoulder.
4 sure, though, it was he, and l will
have the last word.
wondered to whom the reference was
made, as Angola replied: 81 really do not
care if it was; but there is a draught, and
! must shut this door,
She came up so quickly that there was no
time to retreat, and in a moment was dis
! covered.
She gave little cry and stepped back.
"Who are you, sir? How dare you--w
| saw that the other was going to scream
out, and burst forth: Madam, l implore
you to be still. There is absolutely no dan
ger. | have had business with his excel
ency and missed my way. Pardon the in
Lrusion," and stood with my cap in my
hand.
well, sir" said the Lady Angola, "as
YOU have found out that you have missed
your way, had you not better turn back?"
why, Angola, it is the gentleman who
rescued us in the gardens!" called out Ma
donna Marietta, with a sudden recognition
WHO looks as if he were here now to
make up for it by cutting cur throats Ac-
cordng to you he should have been dying OF
starvation at Santa Felicita."
Madam" | cut in, 81 wish had died of
starvation rather than heard this. | will,
however restore what l have received. If
YOU can only show me the way out of this
house | shall be grateful, and again seek
pardon for disturbing you"
Il suppose you are speaking the truth.
Come, give me that candle, Marietta"
The other handed her candlestick, and,