Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-12-04

mot SO much as an eyelash. The
stork happened TO drop the basket
there. that's ALL"
"Ha. see. Well. AmerIky is good
enough fer NE an mine.' compliment
~.
Il dare sayr'
] An II this stogy continues to be
have we'li say no more about the van
ishin' Teddy" The policeman strolled
of. bis suspicious In nowise removed
he knew many rich young bachelors
like Hiilard. II II wasn't a chorus
lady II was prima donna. which was
not far from being the same thing.
| Hillard re-ained his room and leaned
with bis back TO the radiator lie had
an idea. II was rather green and
salad. but as soon as bis hands were
warm he determined TO put this idea
into immediate use. The voice bad
stirred him deeply. stirred him with
the longing TO hear II again. TO learn
what extraordinary impulse had loosed
the song.
Never the winter came with its
weary round Of rain and fog aud snow
that his heart and mind did not fy
over the tideless southern sea 20 the
land OF his birth II not Of his blood
Sorrento. that jewel OF the sun batbed
cliffs.
With a quick gesture OF both hands
Latin. always Latin-he crossed the
room TO a small writing desk. turned
on the lights and sat down. After
several attempts be realized that the
| letter he bad In mind was not the sim
plest TO compose. There were a dozen
/ futile efforts before be produced any
thing like satisfaction. Then he filed
out q small check A little later be
stole downstairs. around the corner TO
/ the local branch OF the pOstofice and
returned. IL was only a blind throw.
such as diccrs sometimes make in the
dark. But chance loves her true game
| ster. and 10 him she makes a faithful
servant
He picked up a novel Il should be
sorely tempted TO call any other man
a silly ass. Leddy Lightfnger-it
would be a 6ne Joke II my singer
/ turned out TO be that irregular per
son"
II y
/ He shied the book into a corner. drew
or HE boots aud cast them into the
hall A moment after bis valet ap-
peared. gathered up the boots and
| waited.
Il want nothing. Giovanni / have
only been around 20 the postofice."
Il heard the door open and close
| four times. signor"
1T was l. II this fog does not
change I shall want nay riding
breechcs 70 morrow morning"
1T always rains here" Giovanni 70
marked
"Not always There are pleasant
days in the spring aud summer Il IL
because thi, Is not Italy The Hol-
lander wonders how any reasona bic
being can dwell 90 country where
they do not drink gin. It's home. Clio
vannL Rain peits you from a differ
ent aulle here There Is nothing
more You may go. II Is O'Clock. and
you dead FOR sleep"
Bvt Giovanni only bowed He did
not atlr
eli is seven years now siguor."
$50 SO is--seven this coming April"
- an now an American citizen and
may r,;uru 20 my good Italia without
danger"
THAT depends. II you do not run
across any Official who recognizes
you"
Giovanni spread his hands. "Omciai
memory seldom lasts SO long as seven
years The signor has crossed four
times IN this period"
Il would gladly have taken you each
| time. as you know"
oh. yes. But in two or three years
| the police do not forget In seven Il is
| different"
All" HIll0rd was beginning 10 un-
| derstand the trend Of this conversa-
| ton. $50. then, you wish 20 returng"
Yes. siguor ! have saved a little
! money" mc1estly
"A littlet' Hilard laughed For
seven years YOU have received fifty
| American dollars every month. and
/ out OF II yCu do not spe,f5i as many
| copper ceutcsimi am certain that
| you have 10000 lire tucked away in
/ your stocking-a fortunew
Il buy the backing for the signor's
boots" gravely.
| Hllard saw the twinkle in the black
eyes. Il have never" he said truth
I fully. asked you 10 black my boots"
"Penance. signor. penance for my
sins, and ] am not without gratitude
( There was a time Swhen / had rather
, cut OF a hand than black a boot But
all that is changed We OF the Sabine
hills are proud. as the signOr knows
b We are Romans out there. We despise
the cities. and we DO not hold out our
palms for the travellers pennies. am
a peasant. but always remember the
blood OF the Caesars who can saw
Besides. I have held a sword for the
church. | owe no allegiance 10 the
puny house OF Savoyr' There was no
twinkle In the blac6 eyes now. There
was ferociOus CLEAN. Pardon. ST
Snor. ] grow bOastfui / am old and
should know better But does the ST.
gnor return TO Italy in the spring."
Il don't know. Giovanni: don't
know. But what's on your mind?"
Nothing new. signor." with eyes
cast down &c hide The returning lights.
a. a..