Arizona republican., 1909-05-24

q forgot to give the signore his mail at breakfast. The boat mail has just been distributed" He then went forward.
 Merrihew was greatly pleased with his packet. There were humorous letters and cheery telegrams, con- taining all sorts of advice in case of seasickness, how to slip cigars through the customs, where to get the best postcards, and also the worst.
 Hillard found among his a bulky envelope postmarked Naples. After he opened it he lay back in his chair and contemplated the ruffled horizon. Naplesl He sat up. It had been addressed to the house and the address typewriter.
 'Dan?"
 What is it?"
 Look at this,"
 Good Lord," Dan gasped, his feet coming down to the deck
 For Hillard was holding up for his inspection a crumpled black silk mask.
 CHAPTER VIII.
 What Merrihew Found.
 The great ship had passed the Isle of Ischia, and now the Bay of Naples unfolded all it's variant beau ties. Hillard had seen them many times before, yet they are a joy eternal, a changing joy of which neither the eye nor the mind ever grows weary. Both he and Merri- hew were foremost in the press against the forward rail. To the lat s. a dream. In fancy he could see the Roman galleys, the fighting triremes, the canopied pleasure craft, just as they were two thousand years ago. Wonder, the temples and baths of Nero of the Golden House: thither the palaces of the grim Tiberius; be- yond, Pompeii, with Glaucus, lone and Nydia, the blind girl The dream picture faded and the reality was no less fascinating: the white sails of the fishermen winging across the sapphire waters, leaving ribboned pathways behind that crossed and re- crossed like a chart of the stars: proud with pleasure yachts, great yes sells from all ports in the world: and an occasional battleship, drab and stealthy. And the hundred pink and white villages. the jade amethyst of the near and far islands, the smiling terraces above the city, the ruined temples, the grim giant ash-heap of Vesuvius,
 That is it," said Merrihew, whose flights of rhetoric were most simpli- fled.
 "Vedi Napoli e poi mori!" replied Hillard. l.
 Hold on." exclaimed Merrihew Pass it out slowly Whats that mean?"
 See Naples and die,'
 q prefer to see it and live But am kind of disappointed in Ve- suviu5. It's not the terrible old Moloch of my geographies that gob- bled up cities and people. And no- body seems to be afraid of it." with gesture toward the villages nestling with the utmost confidence at the circling base. Not a bit of smoke anywhere"
 No, my boy, don't speak sighting ly of old Vesuvius. It is one of the great mysteries of the world To- morrow that mountain may swallow up the whole bay, or it may never wake up again. Respect it: I do. When I recall Herculaneum and Pom peii-"
 1.-Two thousand years ago; that's different. I'm never satisfied, I know, but I should like to see it blow it's head off while I'm here"
 Not I! As I grow older I like comfort and security more and more See that village on the cliffs toward the south? That's Sorrento, where l was born. The eruption of '72 hap pened while I was there, but I was too young to take any particular mo- tice. Shi Look at Giovanni"
 Merrfhew looked at the old Roman. Tears were running down his cheeks. and his gaze strove to pierce the distance to the far off Sabine Hills Italy. Wonder his heart and soul had taken root; his land. his native land, and condemned to live in exile from it! Hillard leaned over and touched him on the arm, and he started.
 Take care, Giovanni"
 Pardon, I am weak this day. but tomorrow I shall be strong Seven years! Have you not longed for it