Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-08-03

upon the morning dlT.
"Silenzio!" he cried and for mo-
ment the music died down.
Mariana went ut once to the table
upon which he had spread the cloth
and placed silverware and delicate
china upon it. and he was thus ell.
gagged when Michele, the commission
raire. appeared ut the top Of flight OF
marble steps that led into the eastern
wing Of the hotel. fronting on the ter
race.
Here Is NJ. Riblere to see you, sir,
he said softly. with Il backward glance
over his shoulder. and Mariano
Strengthened up instantly. with smile
Of welcome. for Ribiere was an cid
and valued accOmplice In the gentle
art of soft Italian legal stealing.
A tall. alert young Frenchman. clad
in an English walking suit Of gray
and carrying a portfolio beneath his
arm. ran lightly down the steps and
approached the maitre d'hOtel.
"Ah. Mariano!" he cried as he ap.
preached.
The genial Mariana bowed graceful.
ly aud rubbed his flexible hands to-
gether.
M. Ribierev' he chartered gayly.
This is one Of the days Of days
The music burst forth again, and he
whirled about angrily In the direction
of the lemon grove.
"Silenziov he cried. with waving
hands. "Silenzior' and turned again
to Ribiere. Michele. with a glance at
them, went back within the hotel.
Riblere turned q warning glance to-
ward the hotel and whispered In ltal'
ian:
LET us speak Engleesh. Fewer un.
derstand."
Mariana again bowed and spread out
his hands in assent.
81 hope m'sieu still occupy the ex'
alt position Of secretar' to monseigneul
the gran duke"
The Frenchman walked quickly to
one of the little wicker tea tables that
were scattered about, sat down and
opened his portfolio.
I'VE will not mention either the
name OF the rank Of my employer" be
said gravely. There are reasons OF
state. You understandY
The maitre d'hotel threw up his
hands in despair. and his round eyes
rolled heavenward.
Again incognito! Every year he
come to thees hotel for two, three OF
four day, but always incognito"
Ribiere paid little attention to him.
but opened a notebook and removed a
fountain pen from his pocket Mariana
shrugged his shoulders and went on
setting 1.-The table, then stopped and
looked up.
Each time We lose the honor to
have II known" he went on. I'm Ma
pies, everywhere, are reech Ameri
can peoples that would give large
pourboire to mingle with his high
ness
The secretary lifted warning fin
ger.
Have l not said It is to be incOg
nito, and yet you prate Of highness II
the first breath. Would you wish he
shall withdraw his patronage" BE
looked staringly at the man opposite
him. "See that you do not offend
again" He consulted his watch.
| IN, machine from Ma
! pies. AS on former visits. all is to bt
as before. No one must guess. IL
/ all he must be Herr Grollerhagen"-
Herr Grollerhagen" CALCULATED Ma
riano quickly and with astOnishmen
in his round features. Herr Groller
hagen"'
HE wishes to be known as Ger
man." went on NJ. Ribiere. "It please'
him to be so thought"
Mariana stood lost In contemplativ'
astonishment.
What Il man." he sighed-"of ca
price. eccentriQue, so wonderful! Ha!
The secretary smiled In a superior
manner,
You have said It. Last night b
talked by chance to strange Nortl
| American In the hotel at NapolL AI
parently he is much interested. TOda.
he has that stranger for companion II
his AUTOMOBILES demonstrate. Wha
use? He laugh for One-half the hour.
Again the maitre d'hotel remaine
lost In establishment. For some mo
ments he stood with the napkin In hi
hands gazing out over the wonderful
bay that lay before the hotel.
"He is not like these cousin OF his Il
Petersburg aud AIoscowa." he said a
last. with touch Of awe IN his tones
"And yet. though monseisneur Is s
good and generoso. will not the nj
archist strike against the name OF eve
ROYALTY himself? You have not tina
fear?'
The secretary shivered in the Sol
warm air and seized his companion b
the wrist
"I havew he said quickly. HE ha
, not. I take what precautions / ca
secretly from him. But Of what use
You haA few patrons?"
A smile crossed Mariano's face. an
he shrugged his shoulders expressive
ly.
'lt is yet so early in the seasol
, Those poor musician"-he pointed o
beyond the gates-"they wait alway
/ at every gate to play when they sha
see any one coming, but OF late the
! are disappoint. Within. with US IN I'll
hotel. are but seek people. all OF on
party!
An expression Of relief crossed tt
Frenchman's face. and he opened b
? notebook quickly.
r Good" he murmured. "Who a
{ they?
II Mariana scratched bis head with or
r ruminative finger and bent his brow
upon the table in thought.
There Is milor', an English exec
lency-the Earl Of Hawcastle; there
also his son, the excellency honorabi
Almsric st. Auhyp; there u MIA