Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-10-14

a crumpled black silk mask.
Merrihew looked ut the old Roman
Tears were running down his cheeks.
and his gaze strove to pierce the dis
lance to the faroff Sabine hills. Italy!
Hillard leaned over and touched him
on the arm. and he started.
take care, Giovanni"
pardon! l am weak this day, but
tomorrow shall be strong. Seven
years! Have you not longed for it
yourself? Has not your heart gone out
many times across the seas to those
cliffs?" pointing to Sorrento.
'Many times. Giovanni But remem-
Der and control yourself. Presently
the carabinieri will come on board.
You will see that all our luggage goes
promptly to the Bristol once we are
through the customs"
Trust me. signor."
They landed at the custom house at
2 in the afternoon and passed without
any difficulty.
Hillard obtained rooms pleasantly
situated looking out upon the spar
king bay. Giovanni began at once to
unpack the trunks. happy enough to
have something to occupy him till aft
err dark. when he determined to ven
.ture forth. The dreaded carabinieri
had paid him not the slightest atten-
ton. So far he was as safe as though
he were in New York.
1t was vet so early in the day that
the two young men sailed forth in
quest of light adventure. Besides,
Merrihew was very eager to find some
Roman and Florence newspapers. The
American Comic Opera company was
somewhere north. They found sta
toned outside the hotel rosy checked
cabby who answered to the name Of
Tomasso, or Tomass. as the Neapoli-
tans generally drop the finals. He
carried bright red lap robe and blan-
ket. spoke little English and was
very proud of the accomplishment
He was rather disappointed. however.
when Hillard bargained with him in
his own tongue. Tomass shook his
fingers under Hillard's nose. and Hill
lard returned the compliment. Finally
TOmass compromised on Ira 80 CEN
tesimi go cents per hour. with so
centisimi 40 cents as pourboire
(tip). Crack. crack! Down the hill
they went. as II a thousand devils
were after them.
"By George" rasped Merrihew.
clutching his seat. "the fool will break
our necks"
Tomass grinned and cracked his
whip. He did not understand the
word slowly In his own tongue or in
any other, at least not till he reached
the shops. A dozen times on the Via
Roma Merrihew yelled that they
would lose wheel. But Tomass
knew the game
Merrihew had never seen such
shops. Coral, coral wherever the eye
roamed-where did they get it all.
and to whom did they sell it? Neck
laees, tiaras. rings, brooch hes. carved and
uncarved-were there women enough
in the world to buy these things:
IF | had a wife, he began
"Well?"
I'D feel devilish sorry for her hus-
band at this moment"
But isn't the color great?" said Hill
lard. 1t was good to be in Naples
again.
Il never saw so many kids" Merri-
hew finally observed. 80 many dirty
Ones" he added. "Herod would have
had bis work cut out for him here.
Now where can We get some newspa-
pers? must know where she is
At the bookshop in the piazza they
found the Rome and Florence. papers.
Hillard went through them thorough
ly, but nowhere did he see anything
relative to the doings of the American
Comic Opera company.
"Not line, Dan"
But there must be something In
the Florence paper. They should be
playing there yet"
Nothing. These papers are two
weeks old"
Merrihew stared blankly at the
sheet II should like to know what it
means"
I'VE will write to the consulate In
Rome. II there has been any trouble
he will certainly notify us. I'll write
tonight. Now. here's Cooks next door
Wen ask IL there is any mail for Kitty
Killigrew."
But there wasn't, nor had there
been. and the name was NOT M tho