The San Francisco call., 1908-04-05
CHAPTER VIII
The AstroIoeer


near the door. strsining his sharp
ears In vain to catch some werds Of =
whispered conversation The maids
had been dismissed. From time TO
tine 0orlias spoke aloud, pointing
with his compass to different parts OF
the figure, but what he said only made
II more impossible to guess at what he
whispered Zoe sat almost notionless.
but she had opened the folds OF her
veil 30 as 10 uncover her mouth, and
after her companion had been speaking
some time she bent down and answered
point to the figures on the paper. a. II
she were asking questions.
The substance OF what Goriias told
her was that he and his friends were
interested in q mighty enterprise, and
had often tried TO sound Carlo zeno
With regard TO helping them to carry
II out. but they had met with no sue
cess, for he either did not understand
or he would not Messer Sebastian
Polo. whose house he frequented. was
q tfnid man, and was not to be trusted
with such q secret; moreover, he was so
extremely anxious to make Zeno marry
his daughter that be would certainly
never allow him to run any risks.
All this he put very clearly, and
Omobono might have been surprised
10 learn that he had not used any
password. Then Zoe bent down to his
ear.
What is the name Of Sebastian
PolO's dsughter7" he asked.
."Glustina-" whispered the estrologer.
She is so and has had the smallpox"
The master has only been here once
since I came" said Zoes bending to
his ear again 7 have ne influence
with him"
Gorlias turned his face toward her
IN slow surprise.
Had he not seen you before he
bought you. Kokons ArethusaT" he in
CURED
Yes, indeedr
.Ohl I thought that you also might
have had the smallpox" was the whis-
pered answer.
Zoe could not help laughing q little.
The pretty notes. mufied by the veil,
seemed TO come from far away. 1t
was the first time she had laughed
naturally since many weeks. The as
trologer bent nearer TO her when she
was silent again and spoke aloud,
pointing 70 his figure:
Venus Is IN the Seventh House IN
benign aspect to the Moon" he said
aloud. You viii be fortunate IN love"
Then he whispered again:
'.Aesser Carlo is q man who loves
adventures. who has led desperate and
forlorn hopes 70 victory, both IN Italy
and Greece, who has the gift OF the
knew a. this"
I know he has been . soldier" Zoe
answered. for Zeno had told her so.
He also possesses some fortune. and
has great connections in Venice More
over. can tell you. Kokona, that this
is no small matter. II he succeeds he
viii earn gratitude OF the serene re-
public and honor everywhere:"
AS much as that7" asked Zoe, look
ing attentively at the sstrologer
through her veil How an I to be-
lieve your"
7 thought 1 had spoken clearly
enough" Gorlias answered. but lest
you should doubt my word and prom
ise. take these"
He had furtively slipped his hand
into the bosom Of his tunic and when
he withdrew it his fingers closed over
something he held gathered IN his
palm Cleverly turning the sheet of
paper on which he had shown his
astrological figures. so as to hinder
Omobono from seeing. he disclosed
to Zoe a short string OF very large
and beautiful pearls.
In your nativity" he ratified on
aloud, the benefcent influences alto
gether outweigh the malefc ones"
He said much more to the same ef-
feet, and while he was speaking he let
the pearls slip down upon the skirts
Of Zoe's overgarment on the side away
from the secretary.
They are yours" he whispered
You shall have a hundred strings like
them II you succeed"
Give such things TO my maids" Zoe
answered. not to mel II you are IN
earnest make a sign that 1 may know
whence you come"
"A sign" repeated Gorlias, al II not
understanding.
Yes, whence7" Her mouth was close
70 his ear as she whispered the oues-
tion, and she turned her ear toward
him for the answer.
He hesitated, and for the first time
the dull fKedness OF his expression
was momentarily dispelled by q very
faint look OF surprise
7 ask, where7" Zoe repeatsd. with
strong emphasis, bending to him again.
over the water" he answered at
last
both salt and fresh" she replied
instantly.
ooriias looked at her yelled face
long.
who are your" he asked at length
Who taught you these thingsT He
glanced suspiciously at Omobono. who,
as he had reason to believe, was ae-
quainted with the secret
Zoe shook her head.
No" she answered. "One greater
than he taught me what I know. You
may go now, for your message IL de-
ivered. What I can do / will do, and
there is 10 more TO say, for II IL my
own cause as well as his-the cause
OF Justice, and God is with it"
Gorlias spoke aloud again and
brought his explanation OF the horo-
scope TO conclusion by informing Zoe
that II she wished to know the smaller
details OF her wonderful future she
must consult him at intervals. as the
phases OF the moon had great infiu-
cnce on her fate.
When the Kokona wishes to ses
me-" he said. rising. 'Messer omobono
will send for me and I will come"