Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-12-01

uelSulS.
What was that? billiard was no
longer lethargic.
From a gondola on the far side of
the barge, standing out Of the press
and just beyond the radiance Of the
lanterns, came a voice which had a
soul in it, a voice which broke into
song for the pure joy of it-clear.
thrilling-a voice before which the
world bows down. The prima donna
in the barge was clever; she stopped.
The tenor went on, however, recognize
ing that he was playing opposite, as
they say, to a great singer. Hillard's
heart beat fast. That voice. There
could not be another like it. And she
was here in Venice!
Quick, Achille"! for the far gondola
was heading for the Grand canal.
Merrihew understood now.
Follow" commanded Hillard. Ten
lire if you can come up alongside that
gondola. Can you see the NUMBER
1T is 152, signor-Pompeo. 1t will
be Il race"
At each stroke Merrihew swung for
ward his body. The end of the race
came sooner than any n expected.
A police barge nosed round an ell.
By the time Pompeo was off again the
ferrule Of the pursuing gondola scraped
past Pompeo's blade. Pompeo called.
and Achille answered. There was a
war of words. figure Of a dog, name Of
a pig. Achille was in the wrong, but
10. lire were 10 lire.
billiard caught the gondola by the
rail and chung. The race was over.
"Signorina." said Pompeo. boiling
with rage. shall l call the police?"
mo. Pompeo." said his solitary pas
senger.
ITO the Campo, Pompeo. Mr.. Hill
lard. will you kindly follow? 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. Hill
lard jumped out and went to assist La
%Signorina, but she ignored his out
stretched hand.
what is it you wish?" she asked.
"One look at your face" he answer
ed simply.
She slowly removed the veil. Then,
for the first time. he looked upon the
a Of this woman who had burdened
his dreams. The face was not like
any he had conjured. 1t seemed to
him that Vecchio's-Paola Vecchio's-
Pc y.horu nod ctorro1 dawn fpo,, NOV,
frame-beauty. tranquil, f1awless beau
ty. A minute passed. He was inca
pable of speech: he could only look.
"Well?" she said in the same ex-
p~ressionless 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 night?"
"a regrettable impulse"
"And why. after all had come to an
apparent end-why did you send me
that mask?'
1T is unanswerable. Truthfully I do
not know"
Who is that mantle Italian with
the SCARF"
Il will not answer that"
"a lady? Grace of Mary. that is
drollv"
why do you say that?"
Il am only quoting the man with the
scar. Those were the words he used
in regard to you"
Perhaps he is right. Perhaps I am
not a 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 to me. Only one
fact remains clear. and that is I love
you"
mo. Mr.. Hillard, you are only ex-
cited. l may be a fugitive from the
law"
II do not believe it,"
There may be scars which do not
show" she faltered-''in the heart, in
the mind. l am sorry. terribly sorry.
Heaven knows that l meant no harm.
Forget mel"
Forget you: Tell me what prevents
friendship between u.s."
"You say you love me. Is that not
answer enough? Give up all idea. all
thought. Of me. You will only waste
your time. Come, is your love strong
enough to offer a single sacrificed"
"Not if it is to give you up. Oh, do
not worry about persecution! 1 shall
only seek to be near you"
Good night" she said, land good
by" She wound the veil round her
face. took half a dozen steps, halted
and turned. then went on into the
dark.
The Villa Ariadne rested upon a
small knoll half a mile or more north
OF and above Fiesole, from which the
panoramic beauty Of Florence was to
be seen at all times, glistening in the
sun, glowing in the rain, sparkling in
the night.
Life ran smoothly enough at the
Villa Ariadne. La Signorina at the
very last moment surrendered to the
antreatiaS of Kitty Shn oovood not n