Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-25

This" O'Mally began, withsa care
less wave of the hand, SIS the famed
fountain by Donatello. 1t was origin
ally owned by Catherine d'Medissy.
The Borgias stole it from her, and
Italy and France nearly came to war
over it,"
THE Borgias?" doubtfully. "Were
these two families contemperaneous?"
They WERE scornfully. These
Borgias were not the head of the fam
lily, however. Finally it fell into the
hands of the first Prince d'Monty
Bianchy, and it has stood where you
see it for three hundred years. It is
considered the finest specimen of it's
kind. The Italian government has Of
fered fabulous sums for it."
Il thought the government could
force the safe of these things?" 4
There has been some litigation
over this property, consequently the
government can do nothing till the
courts have settled the matter" re-
cited o'Mally glibly.
oh"
The quintet consulted their guide
books, but before they had located
the paragraph referring to this work,
O'Mally was cunningly leading them
on to the Della Robbias which hung
in the ruined pavilion. With grand
yet familiar air he acclaimed over
the marvellous beauties of this pecul-
lar clay with an eloquence which was
but little short of masterful. He passed
on to the antique marbles, touching
them lightly and explaining how this
one was Nero's, that one Caligula's,
that one Tiberius. He lied so easily
and gracefully that wherever it rest
ed, the tomb of Ananias must have
rocked. And whenever his victims
tried to compare his statements with
those in the guide-books, che was ex-
tolling some other treasure. They fl
nally put the guide-boolls under their
arms and trusted in the kindness of
Providence.
DO you know" said the woman
who had not yet spoken, you speak
English remarkably we'll? There is an
accent do not quite understand"
O'Mally shivered for moment. was
she going to spring Dago Oh him? 81
am Italian" he said easily. II was
born, however. in County Glare. My
father and mother were immigrants to
ireland" His face was as solemn as
an owls.
THAT explains 1t"
O'Mally took new lease of life.
Now let me show you the Hadrian
mosaic, from the Villa Hadrian, out Of
Rome" He swept back the sand us
it not magnificent
Looks like lineoleum pattern"
was the comment of one of the men,
You are not far from right" said
O'Mally. 1T was from this very mo-
sale that the American lineoleums
were originally designed"
Indeed" said the woman with the
glasses.
Yes. signora."
ma" whispered the girl, TASK him
for one of those buttons
The stage whisper was overheard
by O'Mally These buttons" he ex-
planned, cost Ira each; but if the
signorina really wishes one" And
thus another Ira swelled the profits OF
the day O'Mally wondered if he ought
to keep this one Ira since it was off
his own coat and not Pietro's.
On the balcony of the villa appear,
ed two women The woman with the
glasses at once discovered them.
"Who is that handsome woman
she demanded
O'Mally paled slightly. "That, y
touching his cap respectfully, lis her
Highness, La Principessy d Monty
Bianchy, the owner of the Villa Ari
adne.' Ha! He had them there.
The tourists stared at the balcony
A real live princess! They no longer
regretted the two lire fifty. This was
something worth while.
eve did not know that the princess
lived here"
.It is but temporary visit. She il
here incognito. You must not repea
what have told you was O'Mally':
added warning.
/ On the balcony the two wome1
were talking quietly.
what in the world is that maj
O'Mally up to now?'' said La Signorin;
curiously.
Cant you see," said Kitty "He i
acting as guide in Pietro's place"
i "Merciful heavens" La Signorin
retired, sitting her laughter.
At the gates O'Mally received hi
pourboire of twenty centesimi. saw hi
CHARGE ClOSSu duu loChCu III
gates and returned to Pietro, who wa
in a greatly agitated state of mind.
"Ouando!" he cried
O'Mally handed him the exac
amount. minus the Ira for the buttor
Santa Maria! All thees? How? N
more take dem; you!''
O'Mally sat down on the bench an
laughed 1t was as good part as h
: had ever had.
Early evening. La Signorina leane
over the terrace wall, her hand idl
trailing over the soft cool roses. Ala
down the valley shimmered the light
of Florence. There were no outlines
no towers, no domes. no roofs wer
visible; nothing but the dim haze upo
which the lights serenely floated.
might have been harbor in the peac
of night To the south, browning tn
: hills with a faint halo, the moon, ye
hidden. was rising across the heaven
Stretched out on either hand, whit
and shadowy, lay the great road. Sh
/. was dreaming. Presently upon the S
lence came the echo of gallopin
al mt