Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-13

Sicily, that gem among islands as
Goethe terms it. 1t was the first time
Miss Kitwater had seen the southern
coast, and for this reason I made her
promise that she would rise early
next morning in order that she might
witness our approach to the far
famed island. This she did, and side
by side we watched the vessel draw
closer to the land. Away to the west
lay the island of Ustica, it's outline
sharply defined in the clear morning
air.
sHow beautiful it all isl" she said,
"and to think that we are sailing such
lovely seas upon such an errand."
You must try not to think about
it," I said. Sufficient unto the day
is the evil thereof Let us hope that
it will all come right in the end. If
only Leglosse can get hold of Hayle
first, your uncle cannot possibly do
him any harm, however much dis
posed he may be that way. Between
us we ought to be able to manage
that"
Shortly after breakfast we obtained
our first glimpse of Sicily. 1t was a
scene never to be forgotten. The blue
seas, the towering mountains rising
apparently out of it, made up pic
ture that was lovely beyond COM
pare. Presently we steamed into the
harbor, and made our way to the
Dogana, where our luggage was exam
InnH Harn
quiries concel ling Kitwater and Gold,
and had the satisfaction of learning,
on undoubted authority, that the
story the boy had told us was cor
rect. Such terrible intirmities as
theirs could scarcely fail to attract
notice, and more than one of the off,
Gals remembered seeing and commits
Grating them. On leaving the Dogma,
they had travelled to the city by cab,
so we We're informed.
"The man who drove them is out
side now" said one of them. perhaps
the senior would care to question him"
1 replied that I should like very
much to do so, and we accordingly
went out into the street together. It
appeared that the cabman remem-
bered his fares perfectly, the more SO
by reason of the fact that the blind
man had sworn at him for not using
greater speed in reaching the city. He
had driven them to some furnished
lodgings kept by his cousin, he said,
and was proceeding to recommend
them to us, when / cut him short by
informing him that we had already de-
cided upon a hotel. We thereupon en-
tered the vehicle, he mounted the box,
and we set off. From the moment that
we had set foot ashore Miss Kitwater
had been growing more and more
nervous. When it was taken into con-
sideration that before nighffall some
very unpleasant things might hap
pen, do not think this fact is to be
wondered at. l pitieI her from the
bottom of my heart, and was prepared
to do all that lay in my power to help
her. 1t was strange change for her,
from the quiet little village of Bishop
stowe, to the pursuit of a criminal
across Europe to an island in the Med
iterranean.
"And when it is over?" was the ques-
ton / asked myself on numerous oc-
casions. What is going to happen
then? / suppose shall bid her good
by, she will thank me for the trouble
] have taken, and then our acquaint-
ance will be at an end"
After that it had become nv habit
to heave prodigious sigh, and to
wonder whether she could be induced
to-
But somehow never got much fur
Their with my speculations. Was it like
ly she would ever think twice of me /?
She was invariably kindly and
thoughtful; she deferred to me on
everything, and seemed to think my
opinions and actions must of neces-
sity be right. Apart from that I felt
certain | had made no other impress
sion upon her.
Now, mon ami" said Leglosse,
when we had installed ourselves at our
hotel, II think it would be better that
you should efface yourself for time.
None of the men we are after know
me, but Hayle and Codd would both
recognize you at once. Let me go
into the town and make few inquir-
les, and if they are satisfactory we
shall know how to act. Do your best
to amuse, mademoiselle, and I will
hasten back to you as soon as have
anything to tell
Upon my conserving to this arrange
ment he set off, leaving me free to de-
vote myself to the amusement of Miss
Kitwater. AS soon as she Joined me
we made our way into the garden of
the hotel, and seating ourselves on
comfortable bench spent the remain
der of the morning basking in the sun
shine, and watching the exquisite
panorama that was spread out before
us.
II wonder what they are doing in
Bishopstowe now?" said, and mo-
ment later wished had held my
tongue.
Poor little Bishopstowe," my com
panion answered. "How thankful 1
shall be to get safely back to it, i
don't think shall ever want tn travail