Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-22

1t is 152, signore; Pompeo. 1t will
be race doubtfully.
mo matter; follow. 1t will be worth
your while
And race it became Both condo
llers were long past their youth, but
each knew the exact weight and effort
to be put upon the oar; no useless en-
ergy, no hurried work, no squirting,
but long, deep, swinging strokes. Up
the Grand Canal, past the brilliant
hotels. The runaway gondoa had per-
haps hundred yards the best of it.
Achllle hung on, neither losing nor
gaining foot.
Sit down, signore." said Achille.
Hillard and Merrihey tumbled back
upon the cushions.
We shall not lose them this time.
4 DAN
Are we gaining?"
Not yet. But wait till they turn
into some small canal"
The first loop of the Grand Canal
was turned; still Pompeo made no eff
, tort to seek the smaller canals Not
TILL he passed the Rialto. which afford
: ed him a deep shadow, did he turn.
Swiftly he bore into the canal which
J was filled with the postal gondolas.
But not SO soon that Achille did not
| perceive and follow On and on
: soundless; now the pursuer had the
) advantage over the pursued. It was
5 Pompeo who had to watch. to call.
' Achille had only to hang on. And he
r was gaining. A moment later less than
r ten yards interviewed @ for some
| To ~
! past the Teatro Malibran into the Ric
I'll San Marina, into a smaller cana
e again. Hillard now knew whittier the,
|. were bound: the Campo Formosa.
e AT each stroke Merrihew swung for
n ward his body. The end of the race
r came sooner than any one expected
$ A police barge nosed round an ell
T by the time Pompeo was off again. thu
e 1errule OF the pursuing gondola scrap
e ed past Pompeo's blade. Ponlpet
e called and Achille answered. Their,
J. was war of words, figure of dog
name of pig. Achille was in tn,
o wrong, but ten lire were ten lire. AM
9 he knew that his gentlemen meant n,
harm.
Hillard caught the gondola by tn
rail and chung. The canal lined wit
% 6oxen line barges, became so narroy
= that Achille could scarcely paddle, an
% Pompeo's oar was useless, being partl
- under the opposing gondola. The rae
e was over.
q "signorina," said Pompeo, boilin
v with rage. shall l call the police ?"
h No, Pompeo," said his solitary pa:
=. senger.
n. When Merrihew saw that she wa
r, alone, his heart became heavy, and tn
O. JOY of the chase was gone. But nc
r, so with Hillard At last!
), ITO the Campo, Pompeo. Mr.. Hillar
It. will you kindly follow? l would spea
to you alone, since there is no e
at cape"
Her tone chilled Hillards ardc
somewhat. But to speak to her agail
err mayhap to see her face.
Doesn't want the police whispe
RI ed Merrihew IT told you so. Look o,
e. for yourself
IT. The gondolas became free present.
az and the way to the Campo Formos
ed was made without further incident.
n She wishes to see me alone. Da
at You stay in the boat, I'll find o,
~. where Kitty is"
le nc SoAuOldS became mOOFed. h
h lard jumped out and went to ASST
yo La Signorina, but she ignored h
outstretched hand. This was not
la promising beginning.
ITO the church steps, Mr.. Hillard
lie she said
He followed her meekly. Merrihe
en- sulked among the cushions
lat The solitary electric lamp in Il
Z lCamnn made light enough and VIII