The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-09

PaSQuale looked didn't notice him.
 However, when we swept into our own big, bril- liant sunset Canal, felt trife queer. hustled the babies furtively upstairs to Annnas tower room (Annina is little maid pro tem)
 I told her to keep them up there, for the night knew Charlotte would be tired and Melvina porcu- piny, and that I'd much better wait, and tell next morning.
 So dressed and went to Melvina's room. She was doz1ng, so settled down with the home papers. l didn't read closely for I busy fram- ing up graceful. careless introduction (for in- stance, "Oh, Mevina! Wouldn't it be lovely to take home three Italian orphans?) and it didn't come easy: But. suddenly, my eye lighted a para graph that took my breath
 "Langdon Bogardus, Stephen Sayles of Boston. and Rutherford Barnes, IT,, sail to-day for six weeks Italian tour Their first stop, Venice"
 Their first stop, Venice'" I gasped, forgetting the dozy Melvina. And that Times Is Tuesday, April 14th, and this is Saturday, the 18th! They they're here in Venice, this very minute! Oh, must tell Charlotte quick!"
 At that moment, in marched Charlotte I opened my mouth to chant my thrilling news Then I shut 1t, tight Charotte's pretty round cheeks drawn and ashen; her lips were bitten in, blood less; she shaking from head to foot Charlotte. Oh, what has happened?"
 Nothing whatever. goosey," snapped Charlotte. Go put your street clothes this minute. Hurry!" Charlotte, what earth"
 "I want you to go-to go-sight-seeing-with me-" pauses aTo St. Marks. Or the Library"
 At night? We two girls, alone and only four teen? Charlotte, you clean daft?"
 Charlotte leaned back, trembling She tried to laugh. But she couldn't Perhaps am," she said. finally. "Then Pasquale shall take us in the gondoa till late. Late, say! Come! We'll go this minute!"
 "Charlotte!" Melvina opened one eye Change your dress, eat your dinner, and write your home were going out, Melvna," Charlotte rose up like grenadier.
 Don't let Lucy Ann their heathen dessert. Write your aunt to send me my extra sewing specs"
 "Charlotte!" Both eyes opened, then. But Char lotte had dragged me out dumb before this mon- Hurry" she breathed We fled downstairs, and into the gondola. Pasquale, popeyed but obedent. Charlotte! Of all the wild freaks"
 Lucy Ann!' Charlottes face shone winter than the marble; she gripped my arm till squeaked. "If you have any mercy in you, hold your tongue. To-night-and ever after! Go on, Pasquale."
 Well, I'll not try to describe that evening. Char narrow lanes down broad flashing water courses; through dusky mazes beneath black sepuchral bridges; past looming cathedrals, and dim gardens, and joyful, noisy market places. Hour after hour; night after night year after year.
 At last gondola plashed at torchlit "Eleven o'clock" said Charlotte. wearily. "We1l go in. We're safe now."
 was too limp from starvation to wonder what safe from. Weakly foundered ashore. There stopped. Before me- politely blocking my way, stood two amazing figures; small. solemn gen temen, in skimpy, gt-edged uniforms and cooked hats and large white cotton gloves.
 What do they want, Pasquale?"
 Pasquaie gbbered at them they gabbled back Pasquale grew excited; the little men firmly reite rated.
 "There arrives demand a dissension Mo- Sig norina, mia, enter not. beg! Within, there occurs of alarm, of agitation"
 Of agitation indeed! Lights flashed in our win dows; down the corridors rang angry voices long, fierce shout-then child's scream!
 "Oh, Jminy Christmas!" groaned. Its my or phans!"
 ''Your orphans!" gasped Charlotte "Lucy Ann! Are they statues you've been buying, what?"
 "'statues? Hardly. Pasquae, oh Pasquale! Did you deceive me? Aren't they real orphans, at all? Real orphans!" Charlotte turned blue.
 "Veritable orphans. not" quavered Pasquale. Since they possess father mother, also five broth and six sisters, also grandmother"
 Bang! The front door crashed open. First out shot gigantic peasant his bull head thrown back trumpetng like mad elephant. The tniest twin clung on his huge shoulder. Behind him scufhed a husky contadina, hugging Addolorata frantically; and blue check apron, madly embracing the big gest twin. Behind streamed tumultuous mob, mak- ing uproar fit to crack your ears. One minute they halted; then, with yell of rage, they swooped straight down on me!
 stealest children by bribe Take thy vile gold!"
 Patience, patience!" Pasquale waving im ploring arms. Touch not the signorina! Are not The gendarmes! The little solemn men wriggled and quirked their moustaches
 "Gendarmes!" said l. "I like that! Why these children kept in orphan asylum if they weren't orphans. then? Pasquae, you and the nurse told me that their parents all dead and buried thst thst they had no clothes but these shocking Unluckily, the contadna knew English "R-r-rags!"
 
 she these garments illustrious which l made for my bambni from the lambrequins of the Duchess sa! Rr-r-rags!"
 There rose an angry mutter. My knees began to shake. Then, alas, that darling Addoorata put out her to me- with crow. That settled it.
 Miserable! She has stolen the bodies of my children will she steal their loves" shrieked the mother Come. fly, else she will witch them from us, tor always!" She snatched the weeny twin from the father, crammed it under her arm, and off she flew, precisely like very mad hen. After her streamed the whole chorus. But the big father stayed behind So did a big sheepish brother. And the two Majesties of the Law
 Then clamor, like tin shop rolling down s mountain Down the stairs came Melvina. But maybe the gendarmes didn't before her search ing eye
 "Pasquale, what is this hubbub? Charlotte. dis miss these people. Lucy Ann, go to bed.'
 "B-but can't. They won't go"
 '1 can't, either, Melvina. live been adopting orphans"
 Adopting orphans! You-you limb! And Pas quale let you!" Mevina whirled and lit i'll on Pas