The San Francisco call., 1908-05-17
CHAPTER xv-COntlnusd

- HERE was but one door on the
upper landing, and that was Zoe's
aid It was open; and just out
side II Lucilla was hiding in the
curtain. listening to the strange sounds
that came up from below, but when
Giustina ran IN without seeing her the
little slave stayed outside and slipped
downstairs noiselessly. listening again
at the dining room door. watched the
Tartar and the secretary from a place
OF safety, and then ran niinbly after
them on purpose to lock them IN. as
she did. for she was a clever little
slave and remembered the bolt
Meanwhile Giustina rushed on like
whirlwlnd TIL she fell painting on the
divan beside Zoe hardly seeing her at
all and staring at the door, through
which she expected every moment 70
see the burly Tartar enter in pur-
suit: so that Eulia, who guessed the
danger, ran and shut it Of her own
Eccord-
Then olustins drew q long breath
and looked around. and she met zoe.s
eyes scrutinizing her face with a look
she never forgot.
THAT monster" she exclaimed, by
Zoe had heard nothing for the house
was solidly built, and she had not the
least idea who had frightened Gius-
tina. Il occurred to her that Gorlias
might be IN the house, and that on
\ being seen by the Venetians It had
suited him to terrify them in order TO
get out again without being ques-
toned.
you are Giustina Polo" she said,
Z an Arethusa, Messer Carlo Zeno's
slave. win you tell me what has
happened?"
Giustina had now recovered herself
enough 10 see that this Arethusa was
very lovely, and she momentarily Tor
got the danger she had escaped
You are his slave," she repeated,
slowly. and stiu breathing hard All
Il begin 70 understand
so do I" Zoe answered, looking at
the handsome, heavy face, the oyeo
hair and marble hands.
There was something like RELIEF IN
her tone. now that she had examined
her rival well.
when did Carlo buy your" asked
Ciustina. growing coldly insolent as she
recovered her breath and realized her
social superiority.
i think II was just FIVE weeks ago"
Zoe answered simply. But II seems
as il I had always been here"
4 have no doubt" said Giustina-
Five weeks Yes, I understand now
Then a fancied sound walked her fear
Of pursuit again. and her eyes turned
quickly toward the door. Yulia was
standing beside it. listening with her
ear to the crack; she shook her head as
she met Giustina's anxious glance,
There was nothing; no one was COM
ing.
you had better tell me what has
happened" Zoe said. You met some
gested. Giustina saw that Zoe was in
complete ignorance OF the Tartars
visit, and she told what she had seen
and heard downstairs. AS she went on,
explaining that Tocktamish demanded
10000 ducats I'm ZenO's name, Zoe's ex-
preston grew more anxious, for she
gathered the truth from the broken and
exaggerated narrative. After falling in
his attempt 20 free Johannes. Zeno
had fallen into the hands Of the SOL
diers he had won over to the revolu-
tion; they demanded an enormous ran
som, and If Il was not forthcoming
they would give him up to Andronicus.
1t was bad enough, yet 1t was better
than il might have been. for Il meant
that Zeno was still alive and safe, and
would not be hurt so long as his cap
tors could be made to wait for the
money they asked
Ten thousand ducats." Zoe repeated.
1t is more than can ever be got to-
zether-"
M father could pay twice as much
II he pleased" answered the rich mer-
chants daughter, vain Of his immense
wealth. But I hardly think he will
give anything" she added slowly, while
she watched Zoes face to see what ef-
feet the statement might have.
'Messer Carlo has many friends"
Zoe answered quietly. But IL he is
alive IL is very probable that he may
come home without paying any ransom
at all And II he does, he viii certainly
repay the soldiers for the trick they
have played him."
You do not seem anxious about
him." said GiUstina, deceived and sur
prised by her assumed calmness.
Are you?" Zoe asked.
At that moment Tulia opened the
door for she had been listening from
within and had heard her companions
bare feet on the pavement outside.
Lucills slipped IN, almost dancing with
delight at her last feat. and looking
like q queer little sprite escaped from
a fairy tale.
Il have locked them up in the count
ing house. Kokonav she cried. The
Tartar giant and the secretary. They
are quite safe"
She laughed gleefully and Yulia
laughed. too. Giustins suddenly recol-
AECLE4 uEE llOLleIs VINO n6Q tainted
in the dining room. AS for her father
her knowledge OF his character told her
that since there had been danger he
was certainly in place Of safety. She
did not care what became Of Marin
Corner. whom she detested because he
had once dared to ask her for her hand,
though he was q Widower OF So But
her mother was entitled to some con-
sioeration after all, IL only for having
brought into the world such a wonder
ful creature as Giustina really believed
herself TO be. Yet in her heart the
young woman felt secret resentment
against her for having grown so enor-
mously fat; since II very often happens
that as daughters grow older they
grow more and more like their moth
ers, and Giustina was aware that she
herself was already rather heavy for
her age. It would be terrible thing
TO be fat woman at 80. and il would
be her mothers fault II she were
Many daughters are familiar with this
argument though they may cry out and
ysG az the story teller who has be-
trzyed It to the young men.
Giustina rose with much dignity no-v