Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-03-15
CHAPTER X1II.-(Continued)

CHAPTER AIll.--(COntinueu.D
It was a beautiful day in June, and the
grand old city Of Rome lay resting in the
sun. its gorgeous palaces and castles. its
glorious ruins all shining In the rays of
the faircst sun that ever shines. The old
palace stood outside the walls of Rome,
at some little distance from the city
where the Tiber ruhs wide and clear; 1t
is almost hidden by magnificent trees.
All that day, as he Travelled toward
Rome, the duke had been thinking OF
Beatrice; he had confused idea that
Beatrice was waiting for him. and yet he
repeated to himself. again and again. that
Beatrice had been dead many years.
1t happened that when the carriage
stopped, and the duke said he could walk
through the garden and reach the house
by the grand entrance. the first thing he
saw In the beautiful walk that led to the
lex trees was the sweeping train of a
long, black dress; he saw the figure Of
woman. tall, slender and graceful rs
any Of the world-famed statues, n face
80 magniticently beautiful that no man
who saw II could ever forget it, yet face
with a story in 1t.
A figure. the curves and lines of which
were all harmony. lie stood quite silent
for few moments. Was this wat his
dream meant? was this Beatrice! Quite
Involuntary he uttered the name.
Beatrice" he cried, and the tail. state
ly figure turned to him at once. All, no.
1t was not Beatrice. With all her beauty
the young duchess had not been one.half
80 fair This was golden-haircd woman
with fQcc like u flower.
IL beg your pardon" he said; II call
cd you Beatrice"
She came toward him, and he said to
himself that grace itself was centercd in
every movement.
1T Is ] who should beg PARDON" she
said In low, clear voice; II am intrud-
ing here"
who are your" he asked. with perfect
courtesy, yet with the manner of one who
expects an answer.
She had heard nothing Of the dukes
coming, but 1t was very evident TO her
that he was someone who had u right to
ask the question.
II am Irene Darcy, the daughter Of
Santon Darcy, the artist" she replied.
And then the duke held out his 10 Ind.
II must introduce myself" he said. II
an the Duke OF Bayard."
Irene bowed. All the dukes In the
world would not have lesscned her self
possession. He admired her well.brci
calm.
Your father knows I am expected"
he said. HAS he not told your
She smiled, and the smile made her 50
beautiful that the duke gazed ut her in
silent wonder.
ITO tell your grace the TRUTH" she said.
my father and myself seldom speak Of
anything but art. Sometimes we sit To-
gether for hours and do not speak. Ny
father IL not an ordinary human being.
and he never remembers TO tell me any
thing, NO matter how interesting it may
be-"
II quite understand" said the duke.
gently; and Irene continued:
''Since We have lived IN this beautiful
old palace, he has been more silent. more
given to dreams than ever"
II remember now" said the duke. sud.
denly: your father wrote to ask my per-
mission for his daughter to accompany
him. And IRE you that daughtcr:"
Eyes, ] am my fathers only child" said
Irene.
The duke walked by her side down the
winding path.
II hope" he said CALAMITY. that you
have enjoyed your visit here. and that
everyone In the place has been most at.
tentive to you"
Il have been happy and well cared
for" she replied.
1f Lord Waldo, the dukes nephew. had
been there to see the lingering glance
of admiration that the duke gave to the
beautiful woman he would have called
ont, Danger"
Irene was little puzzled: she had nrv.
er been vain. and In all her recent dis
tress tho fact that she was exceedingly
beautiful had escaped her thoughts. She
wondered at the dukes kindness AMI his
evident determination to see more Of her.
but she did not, rs many would have
done. think that 1t was owing to her own
charms.
That same afternoon the duke found
bis way to the artists quarters, and over
whelmed him with kindness. lie would
insist that the artist and his daughter
should dine with him. Long after that
dinner party was over. long after the sun
had set and the moon had risen over the
broad river, Irene sat watching the blue
night skies.
"My vengeance" she said; "oh. heav.
en-. my vengeance, aud now 1t seems near
at hand"