Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-09-01

I'm fog. for all l could see.f
ION the level now, didn't you know
who she was" The policeman gave
Hillard a sly dig in the ribs with his
club.
o my world"
Some swell. mebbe."
Undoubtedly a lady. That's why 1t
looks odd-why it brought me into the
street. She sang in classic Italian.
And, what's more. for the privilege Of
hearing that voice again | should not
mind sitting on this cold curb till the
milkman zones around in the morn
ing"
THAT wouldn't be fer long" laughed
the policeman. taking out his watch
and holding it close to the end of his
cigar. Twenty minutes after l. Well,
l must be gittin' back to me beat.
Been to Italy"
II was born there" patiently.
mo! Why. you're no dago!'
mot so much as an eyeiash. The
stork happened to drop the basket
there. that's ALL"
"Ha. l see! Well, Ameriky is good
enough fer me an mine" complacent-
~.
II dare say"
An if this stogy continues to be-
have We'll say M more about the van
ishin' Teddy" The policeman strolled
off, his suspicious in nowise removed.
He knew many rich young bachelors
like billiard. If it wasn't a chorus
lady it was a prima donna. which was
not far from being the same thing.
billiard regained his room and leaned
with his back to the radiator. He had
an idea. 1t was rather green and
salad. but as soon as his hands were
warm he determined to put this idea
into immediate use. The voice had
stirred him deeply. stirred him with
the longing to hear it again, to learn
what extraordinary impulse had loosed
the song.
Never the winter came with it's
weary round Of rain and fog and snow
that his heart and mind did not fly
over the tideless southern sea to the
land Of his birth if not Of his blood
Sorrento. that jewel of the sun batbed
cliffs!
With a quick gesture of both hands
Latin. always Latin-he crossed the
room to a small writing desk. turned
on the lights and sat down. After
several attempts he realized that the
letter be had in mind was not the SIM
plest to compose. There were a dozen
futile efforts before he produced any
thing like satisfaction. Then he filled
out a small check. A little later he
stole downstairs, around the corner to
the local branch Of the %postofice and
returned. 1t was only a blind throw,
such as dicers sometimes make in the
dark. But chance loves her true game
ster, and to him she makes a faithful
servant.
He picked up a novel. Il should be
sorely tempted to call any other man
a silly ass. Leddy Lightfnger-it
would be a fine joke if my singer
turned out to be that irregular per.
son" - >-r-e asssssnesz
He fell to reading, but soon yawned.
He SHE'D the book into a corner, drew
off his boots, and cast them into the
hall. A moment after his valet ap.
peared, gathered up the boots and
waited.
II want nothing, Giovanni. 1 have
only been around to the postofice."
II heard the door open and close
four times. signor."
ut was l. If this fog does not
change l shall want my riding
breeches to morrow morning"
1T always rains here" Giovanni re-
marked. So .r 22st 7Essss;;@sssasmag
Not always. There are pleasant
days in the spring and summer. 1t is
because this is not Italy. The Hol-
lander wonders how any reasonable
being can dwell in a country where
they do not drink gin. It's home, Clio
vanni. Rain pelts you from a differ
ent angle here. There is nothing
more. You may go. 1t is 2 o'clock. and
you are dead for Sleep"
But Giovanni only bowed. He did
not stir.
1T is seven years now, signor."
$50 it is-seven this coming April"
II am now an American citizen and
may return to my good Italia without
danger"
THAT depends. If you do not run
across any official who recognizes
you"
Giovanni spread his hands. Official
memory seldom lasts so long as seven
years. The signor has crossed four
times in this period"
II would gladly have taken you each
time, as you know"
ooh. yes! But in two or three years
the police do not forget. In seven it is
different"
"Ah" Hillard was beginning to un-
derstand the trend of this converse
ton. $50. then. you wish to return?"
Eyes, signor. / have saved a little
money" modestly.
"a littleY" Hillard laughed. For
seven years you have received fifty
American dollars every month. and
out of it you do not spend as many
conner cpntQSimi am cortaip fho%