Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02


Alferi, all a-quiver with uncomfortable
emotion, fixed his glowing eyes on the door
when the servant returned with Mrs. Haxton.
She entered with the graceful ease of one ac-
customed to meet greater dignitaries than the
head of small Italian colony. She had nerved
herself to play for high stake. Though she
shrank back little and caught her breath when
she saw Alfieri, there was restraint IN her at
titude which might have surprised more astute
presence changed the whole situation: and
Mrs Haxton, in whom the stage had lost a
great actress, instantly bent her wits to deal
with the set of circumstances thus created.
You speak Italian, signora? All, capital
Pray be seated" said the Governor affably.
"As you have honored me with call at this
unusual hour, l take it that your business is
urgent Do you wish to confer with me in
private? If So Signor Alfieri. who is not
known to you, believe, will leave us for a few
minutes. Otherwise, you can talk quite frankly
in his presence"
Il am glad that Signor Aferi is here, Your
Excellency though | must admit that | did
not expect to see him." said Mrs. Haxton,
taking the proffered chair. MY business con-
Germs him to certain extent. By all means,
let him remain"
Her voice was under control. She spoke
Italian f1uently, and her smooth, clear accents
seemed to stir strange memories in Alieri's
soul. But thinking to annoy her, he forced a
spiteful grin to his thin lips.
Allowing for the lapse of years, Rita" he
said, and bearing in mind your natural dis
tress at to-days occurrences, you are looking
remarkably WE'LL
She flashed one quick glance at him, then
smiled sweetly at Marchetti, My distress
ended when the Signorina Fenshawe was
brought back to her friends. OF course it was
dreadful thing that she should be carried off
in such way Were it not for the skill and
resource displayed by one of the Aphrodite's
officers, there is no knowing what the con-
sequences might have been"
But the affair has been misrepresented"
said the Governor 1T is a mere bagatelle
There exists-shall we say?-a certain dis
agreement between you and Signor Alferi
There was an unhappy mistake, which | would
have rectified without any help from the yacht
You see, rumor is likely to exaggerate.'
81 think you are taking very reasonable.
and proper view, Your Excellency. 1t will be
best for all parties if we try to regard the Incl
dent in that light"
Marchetti was vaguely conscious of too
complete agreement IN the woman s tone. But
he seized the apparent advantage.
Then that Is settled, he said cheerfully
Il have already apologized to Signor Fen
Shave. Tomorrow more ample explanation
and expression of regret should remove any
cause of friction"
Il have reason to think there will be no diff
ficulty in arriving at an amicable settlement
provided you fall in with the suggestion am
here to make.
And that ISL.
night"
"Ha!" snarled Alferi; but the Governor
angrily motioned him to be silent,
mo one is better aware than yourself
signora, how utterly impossible is your
quest" he said.
THE proposal is not even worthy of debate,
them"
But no."
THAT is pity. Ny small experience of life
has taught me that when two reasonable peo-
pie, or even three, hold different views on any
given subject there is always something to be
said in favor of each contention. Indeed, wis
dom leans toward compromise in such a
case"
You presuppose a mere divergence of
opinion. Here we have no room for it. Your
confederate, signora, if you will pardon a harsh
term is believed to have stolen valuable docu-
ments from nv friend Signor Alfieri. My Gov
eminent has instructed me to arrest him, and
to use every means, not stopping short OF
armed force, to prevent the Aphrodite from
undertaking what is little else than a piratical
expedition. You see therefore, that it is not
in my power, if were so minded, to set Baron
Won kerber at liberty.
His Excellency was firmly planted on the
gubernatorial dais once more. Mrs. Haxton
evidently demanded plain speaking. Being
blunt man. he gave it to her. But she smiled
again, quite pleasantly.
THAT is what ! may describe as the correct
official attitude" she said. . If it founded
on fact it would be unassailable. But Signor
Alferi can tell you that the Baron most GER
tainly did not steal anything from him. If