The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-11-04
CHAPTER XIV

"1vHALL we take a look into the
Campo Tormosa again to
nighlT asked Nerrihew. step
~ ping into the gondola.
"lt win be waste OF time Rettina
viii have warned them. What's The
Italian coming TO. anyhow She re-
fused hundred francs But can see
that Mrs. sandford had a hand IN this
latest event. She has probably writ
ten that we might look for them in the
Campo"
"All right Wen listen 10 the mu.
sic" grumbled Merrihew lie wanted
10 md Kitty right away Hiillards 8
4 Indifference annoyed him.
.ro the barges OF the troupesr said
+ IIillard 20 Achille.
! In the great canal OF San Marco the
scene was like water carnival Hun
dreds OF gondolas. With bobbing lights.
swan slowly round the barges OF The
serenaders. who. for the most part.
were fallen operate stars or those who
had failed to attain those dizzy
heights.
What was that7 Hllnrd was no
longer lethargic.
From gondoa on the far side OF
the barge. standing out of the press
aud just beyond the radiance OF the
lanterns, came q voice which had
soul IN II. voice which broke into
song for the pure JOY OF it-cear.
thrllllng-a voice before which the
world bows down. The primu donna
10 the barge was clever: she stopped.
The tenor went on, however, recogniz
Ing that he was playing opposite, as
they say, TO great singer Hillard's
heart beat fast That voice. There
could not be another like It. And she
was here In Venice!
Quick, Achller for the far gondola
was heading for the Grand canal
Merrihpw understood now
"Followw commanded HilIard. Ten
lire II you can come up alongside that
gondola Can you see the numberr
"It is i52 sigpor- pompeo. 1t viii
be race
At each stroke Mcrrlhew swung for
ward his body The end of the race
came sooner than any one expected
police barge uosed round an ell.
By the time pompco was off again the
ferrule of the pursuing gondola scraped
past Pompeo's blade, Pompeo called,
and Achile answered There was a
war OF words, figure Of a dog. name OF
4 pig AchlIle was In the wrong. but
10 lire were 10 lire.
Hillard caught the gondoIa by the
rail- and clung The race was over
"SIgnorina." said Pompeo. boiling
with rage. shall | call the policer
"No. Pompeo." said his solitary pas
senger.
ITO the Campo, Pompeo Mr. Hi.
lard. will you kindly follow2 ] would |
speak to you alone. since there is no
escape"
The way to the Campo Formosa was
made without further Incident.
The gondolas became moored. Hi
lard jumped out and went to assist In
Signorina, but she ignored bis out |
stretched hand
"What Is II you wlshf" she asked,
"one look at your face" he answer
cd simply.
She slowly removed the veil Then. |
for the first time. he looked upon the |
face Of this woman who had burdened /
his dreams. The face was not like |
any he had conjured II seemed 10
him that vecchlo's-Paola Vecchios- I
Barbara had stepped down from her
frame-beanty. tranquil. flawless beau
fy. minute passed He was inca
pable Of speech: he could only look.
"well?" she said in the same ex-
pressonless tone.
let us begin at the beginning" he
replied
''Since this Is TO be the end"
why did you permit me to dine
With you that memorable nightT
"A regrettable impulse"
"And why. after all bad come to an
apparent end-why did you send me
that mnskY'
IT is unanswerable Truthfully do
not know"
"who is that man-the Italian with
the scarf
Il viii not answer that"
"a ladyf Grace OF Mary. that is
jrollg'
"wby do you say thatT
Il am only quoting the man with the
scar Those were the words he used
In regard to you
Perhaps be is right Perhaps ] am
net lady according TO bis lights"
But she laughed.
DO not laugh like that What you
are or have been or might have been
TO him is nothing % me. Only one
fact remains clear, and that Is ! love
YOU"
.'No Mr.. HfInni you are only ex
cited may be fugitive from the
law"
Il do Bot believe H.
There may bc scars which do not
show she falierc5 I'm the bcari 10
The mind ! am sorry terribly sorry
lieaFen knoes that meant no harm.
Forget meg III
Forget you, Tell me What prevents
between Us +,
You say son love me. IS that not
answer enauN; Give 80 all idea all
thought. of iae You will only waste
your iitae Come. is yonf lore strong ,
enongh 10 offer q single saerihcefT
'Nof IL II II 10 give sou Hp. Oh do
not worry about persecution shall
pnly serk to b. near yoa"
Good night she saia, 'and good
bYsv sac wpund the sen round bet