The San Francisco call., 1908-05-31
omobono's heart

canon of Patras- OmobonOs heart
glowed at the praise.
And the confessor. sir. has the ad-
vantage OF being alive and can still be
useful he ventured to suggest. though
with some difidence
Precisely Zeno assented. "A live
dog is better than a dead lion-
mean a watchdog. OF course. ONO
bono.' he added. rather hastily. "A
faithful watchdog"
Omobono's appearance that morning
did not suggest the guardian of the
flock. the shepherds shaggy friend.
Not in the least; but ne was pleased.
and when he was told that he was 10
pack his belongings and make ready to
leave ConstantinOple for a trip to Ven
ice his delight actually brought little
color into his gray cheeks.
And may / inquire. sir" he be-
gan about the~-he paused and
looked significantly at the ceiling to in
dicate the upper story of the house
about the LADY," he added, finishing
his question at last.
She goes with us answered Zeno
briefly.
Yes. sir. But may I ask whether
it will be part of my duty to be re-
sponsible for herr"
Your Zeno slooked at the little
man In undisguised astonishment-
II mean. sir, on Messer Marco Pes
aro's account. I had understood
No. said Zeno, you had not UNDER
stood
But then. sir
"Omobono. have often warned you
against your curiosity"
Yes, sir. I pray every day for
strength to withstand II. Nevsrthe-
less. though 1 know IL Is a sin 10 some
times leads me to learn things which
are Of use. I do not think that IL
you knew what I know. sir. you would
contemplate the possibility of dispos-
ing Of
You talk too much" said Zeno "If
you have anything to say. then say II.
II you have nothing to say. then say
nothing. But do not talk. What have
you found out?''
Thus deprived OF the pleasure OF tell
ing long story, Omobono conscfen-
tiously tried to frnpart his information
In the fewest possible words
The lady is not called Arethusa, sir
Before she sold herself to save her
people from starvation she was called
Zoe Rhangabe, the daughter of the
Protosparthos who was executed by
Andronicus-
"Rhangabe?' repeated Zeno. not be-
lieving him; for It was . great name,
and Is still.
Yes, sir. But that was not her
name, either. for he and his wife had
adopted her because they had no chill
dren, but afterward two boys were
born to them
"Confound their boys interrupted
Zeno. who Is she?'
Her real name is Blanca Guistiniani.
abe is a Venetian by birth, and her
father and mother died OF the plague
here soon after she was born. You see
sir. under the circumstances, and al
though the lady called herself q slave.
such commission as Messer Marco
Pesaros-"
"Omobono," said Zeno. interrupting
him again. get priest here at once.
1 am going to be married.
Married, sir?" The little secretary
was aghast.
Send Vito for the priest.'
And before Onlobono could say more
zeno had left the room
He fond Zoe standing by the open
window. and the morning sun was still
streaming in Her. hair was not taken
up yet, but lay like silk all over her
shoulders. stiil damp from the bath.
She was q little pale, as a flower that
has biossomed in dark room. and the
rough white silk of the robe she drew
closely round her showed by contrast
the delicate tint and texture OF her
skin, and the sweet freshness of the
tender and spiritual mouth.
He took her hand and looked at hsr
earnestly before he spoke. Only a
night, day and a night. had passed
since he had understood what had
hidden itself in his heart for weeks
That same truth had stolen into hers
too, but she had known what Ii meant.
You kept your secret WE'LL" he said
too wellr'
She shook her head. thinking he
spoke of her love.
You knew il long ago" she an
VI
you guessed You kept yours better
far"
II kept that one from myself. as best
I could" said ne, understanding what
she meant. II could not keep IL for
ever. But since we know that we love
our life begins here and together. To-
gether because You saved mins-I know
everything. for they have told me; and
so my life Is yours, and yours Is mine.
because we were born 20 mate. as
falcons mate with falcons. doves with
doves and songbirds with songbirds.
Will you come with meg"
She smiled and laid her hand In his
Am I not your bought slaves' she
asked 'I must obey"
That Is not enough. We are Chris
tian man and maid You shall go with
me in honor to my own people"
"A gentleman of Venice can not mar
ry slave" she objected though she
smiled.
He laughed. happily. and drew back
from her a little.
a gentleman OF Venice may do what
seems good In his own eyes. il II be not
treason he said 4 publish the banns
of marriage between Messer Carlo
Zeno., Of Venice, bachelor. and Are
thusa"-
"Spinster. of the slave market" sug-
gested Zoe. laughing with him. 1T Is
noble alliance for the great dose's
house, SIR
"Oh! You talk of dogess Then I
Will put 10 another way. as the priest
will say IL presently. for 7 think he IL
waiting downstairs by this time, and
Omobono Is teaching him his lesson"
How shall you Put it7
Blanca Giustiniani. wilt thou take
this man to be thy wedded nusbaDdr-
She was taken by surprise. and for q
moment the words woufS- not come
Wilt thou take this man?-' he asked
again. but more softly now, and nearer
to her lips. though he did not see them:
for he thought he saw her soul in her
brave brown eyes, and as for her an
swer, he knew it.