Arizona republican., 1909-05-29
CHAPTER XIII.
Kitty Asks Questions.


 Cities and villages nestle in bays or crown frowning promontories; and sheltered from northern winds by mountains rugged and lofty the veg citation is tropical and rich. Thou sands of splendid villas Architectural madnesses) string out along the rock bound coast; and princes and grand dukes and kings live in some of these. Often a guide will point out some little place and dramatically whisper that this will be the villa of a famous ballerina, or Spanish dancer, or opera singer, or some duchess whose husband never had any duchy. And seldom these villas are more than a stones throw from the villas of the princes and grand dukes and kings. Nobility and roy alty are fond of jovial company. Aladdin's lamp is not necessary here, where one may build villa by the aid of ones toes!
 Nature-earthly nature-has noth- ing to do with the morality of hu- manity, if it can not uplift. Yet humanity can alter nature, beau fy it after a conventional manner, or demolish it, still after a conventional manner. On the Riviera humanity has nature pretty well under hand.
 VilIefranche stands above Nice, be- tween that white city and Monte Carlo It is quiet and lovely For this reason the great army of tour ists pass it by; there is no casino, no band, no streets full of tantaliz- ing shops. On the very western limit of Villefranche, on the winding white road which rises out of Nice, a road so frequently passed over by automobiles that a haze of dust all ways hangs over it, is modest little villa, so modest that a ballerina would scorn it and a duchess ignore :t. It is, in truth, pensione, where only those who come well recom- mended are accepted as guests. It is on the left of the road as you ride east, and it's verandas and window balconies look straight out to sea, the eternaIly blue Mediterranean. A fine grove of shade trees protects it from the full glare of the sun.
 In the balcony La Signorina re- posed in a steamer chair gazing sea- ward. The awning cast a warm glow as of gold upon her face and hair, transparent shadow. She was at this moment the most precious thing upon which the eye may look-a wholly beautiful woman. Kitty Kiiligrew, standing in the easement window, stared at her silently, not without some envy, not without some awe. What was going on behind those dreamy eyes? only once did the wo- man in the chair move, but this movement was tense with passion: she clenched her hands and struck them roughly on the arms of the chair. Immediately she relaxed, as if realizing how futile such emotion was. Kitty stirred and came out. She sat in the neighboring chair.
 ~Hilda?" said Kitty.
 Yes, Kitty"
 Who and what are you?" Kitty asked bravely.
 La SignOrina's eyes wandered till they met Kittys. There was neither anger nor surprise in the glance, only deliberation.
 And what good would it do you to know? Would it change our po- sitions any? Would it bring money from home any sooner? You already know, without my telling you, that I am unhappy. The adventures al- ways is"
 Adventures? Kitty laughed scorn- fully. The proprietor pretends he does not know you, but l am cer- tain he does. He forgets himself sometimes in the way he bows to you. He has even called you altezza, which you tell me is Italian for highness."
 He is in hope of a liberal tip"
 "The proprietor? One does not tip him.
 That is true. I can not under stand his motive then"
 If he also applied the title to me, it would be different. He rarely mo- tices me. Won't you tell me what the secret is?"
 How beautiful that white sail looksl"
 You know all about me" went on Kitty stubbornly.
 Because you told me. I never ask beinged you a single question"
 And you have told me nothing" Tell me what you think of that sail Is it not beautiful in the sunset?"
 "Is it-love?"
 "Love?" La Signorina shrugged. Poor Kitty, you are trying in vain to make a romance out of my life. What should I know of love? It is a myth, a fable, only to be found in story books. You should not read so much"
 Tt is not curiosity" declared Kitty. Tt is because I love you, and be- cause it makes me sad when 1 hear you laugh, when l see you beat your hands against the chair as you did just now" There was a tremble in Kitty's voice that suggested the near ness of tears.
 La Signorina turned again, in a passion which was as fierce as it was sudden.
 There is a man." she whispered rather than spoke, the pupils in her eyes dilating so that the blue irises nearly disappeared. But I loathe him, I hate him, abhor him, And were it not wicked to kill, he would have been dead long ago. Enough. If you ever ask another question, I will leave you. I like you, but I insist that my secrets shall be my own, since they concern you in no man. ner."
 T am sorry" said Kitty with con-