Arizona republican., 1909-06-23
CHAPTER XXIN. Measure for Measure

Silence invested the Villa Ariadne;
 yet warm and mellow light illumined
 many a window or marked short
 pathways on the blackness of the
 lawn. Of the hundred lanterns hang
 ing in the gardens, not a dozen still
 burned, and these offered rather a
 melancholy reminder of joy and
 laughter departed. The moon was high
 in the heavens now, and the shadows
 cast by the gloomy expresses put the
 little god in the fountain in complete
 darkness. A single marble bench stood
 out with that vividness which only
 marble and moonshine can produce.
 All the carriages. save one. were gone.
 A solitary saddle horse rattled his
 bit, paved restively, and tossed his
 head worriedly from side to side. as
 if prescience had touched him with foretelling.
 On the other side of the wall, turk ing in the dark inches, was a tall, lean, grey haired old man who watch ed and listened and waited. When ever he ventured into the moonlight the expression on his face was eX- ultant but sinister He was watching and listening and waiting for the horse At the first sound of the ami malls prancing hOOfs on the stones by the porter's lodge. the old man was prepared to steal to the self-appointed place somewhat down the road. What befell there would be wholly in the hands of God Seven yearsi It was a long time He had not hunted for this man; he was breaking no prom ise: their paths had recrossed; it was destiny. So he waited
 Within the ballroom the candles were sinking in their brass scOnces and little waXen stalactites formed about the rims The leaving of the guests had been hurried and noisy and without any particular formality of directness. In truth, it resembled a disorderly retreat more than any thing else. The denouement was evil dently sufficient; they had no desire to witness the anti-climax, however interesting and instructive it might be Carabinieri and tableauX and con- jugal reunion; it was too much to be crowded all into one night. Good by! During this flight his Highness the Principi di Monte Blanca, Enrico by name had taken the part of an amused spectator; but now that the last of the unwelcome guests was gone, he assumed the role premedi- tated He strode up and down the floor, his spurs tinkling and his saber rattling harshly. He stopped before this painting or that, scrutinized the corners to ascertain what artist had signed it: he paused an interval be- fore the marble faun which he recog- nized as a genuine antique. These things really interested him, for he had never been inside the Villa Art- adne till this night And there was an excellent reason. Occasionally he glanced at the group on the opposite side of the room He laughed silent ". They were as lively as so many sticks Of wood Oh. he would enjoy hilnself tonight: he would extract every drop of pleasure from this rare and unexpected moment. Had she been mad. he wondered, to give him out of hand this lOnged-for oppor- tunity? A month longer and this scene would have been impossible. At last he came to a stand in front of La Signorina, who was white and weary. The two had not yet ex- changed a word.
 80" he said, after five years I find you, my beautiful wife!" With one hand hipping his saber and the other curling his mustache, he smiled | at her. What a devil of a time ycu have given mel Across oceans and 1 continents! A hundred times I have l passeJ you without knowing it tilt too late. And here. at the very moment 1 when believed it was all over, you ] fling yourself into the loving arms of vour adOring husband! l do not un- derstand.'
 Be brief she replied, the chill of snows in her voice. Her hate for this man had no empty corners. "I have r,laved foolishly into your hands. Say \, hat you will and be gone"
 What a welcOmei"
 Be quick"
 There was danger in her voice now, and he recognized the tense quality Of if T shall telegraph to the attor- nevs in Rome to partition the estates, my heart" mocking her. The king will not add to his private purse the riches of Colonel Grosvenor and the Principi di Monte Blanca, your father and mine. cid foolsi To tell the truth, I am badly in need of money, and, head of Bacchus! yours appearance here is life to me, my dear sonia Life, I am a rich man. But" with B sudden scowl, dropping the mask of banter, T do not understand these of yours" He eyed the group coldly What position in my household does this gentleman occu- py?" indicating Hillard and smiling evilly.
 Give no heed" said La Signorina, as Hillard took a step forward.
 50 it is all true, them he asked You are his wife?'
 Yes. Forgive me, but did not warn you many times? In the eyes ,f the Italian civil law I am this mans wife, but in the eyes of God and the church, never. never!"
 What do you mean?"
 In a few days I shall write you; in this letter I promise to explain ayerythIng. And you will forgive me- know"
 Forgive you? For what? There Hs. n