Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-12-15
CHAPTER XVIII.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE

CHAPTER XVIII.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE.
TILENCE invested the Villa Ari-
adne, yet a warm and mellow
light illumined many a window
~ OF marked short pathways on
the b%lackness of the lawn. A solitary
| saddle horse ratified his bit, paved
restively and tossed his head worried
ly from side to side, as if prescience
had touched him with foretelling.
On the other side of the wall, Turk
ing in the dark inches. was a tall, lean,
gray haired old man, who watched
and listened and waited. He was
watching and listening and waiting
for the horse. Seven years! 1t was a
long time. He had not hunted for this
man. He was breaking no promise.
Their paths had recrossed. 1t was des-
tiny.
The leaving of the guests had been
hurried and noisy. In truth, it resem-
bled Il d%isorderly retreat more than
anything else. The denouement was
evidently sufficient. They had no de-
sire to witness the anticlimax, how
ever interesting and instructive It
might be. His highness the Principi
di Monte Blanca, Enrico by name,
STROBE up and down the floor, his spurs
tinkling and his saber rafting harsh
ly. Occasionally he glanced at the
group on the opposite side of the
room. He laughed silently. Oh, he
yyo,11l onioy birncolf tonirbt tn
would extract every drop of pleasure
from this unexpected moment. Had
she been mad, he wondered, to give
him this longed for opportunity? A
month longer and this scene would
have been impossible. At last he came
to a stand in front of La Signorina,
who was white and weary.
49," he said, "after five years I
find you, my beautiful wife! What a
devil Of a time you have given me
across oceans and continents! A hun
dred times l have passed you without
knowing it till too late. And here, al
the very moment when l believed it
was all over, you fling yourself into the
loving arms of your adoring husband!
l do not understands
BE brief" she replied, the chill of
SHOWS in her voice. Her hate for this
man had no empty corners. Say what
you will and be gone"
Il shall telegraph the attorneys In
Rome to partition the estates, my
hearth he Knocked her. THE king
will NOT odd fn hic rr;vo%o ~>,,u,o 49,
riches Of Colonel Grosvenor and the
Principi di Monte Blanca, your father
and mine-old fools! To tell the truth,
I am badly in need of money, and,
head Of Bacchus. your appearance
here is life to ne. my dear Sonia.
Life! l am a rich man. Butt with a
sudden scowl. what position in nv
household does this gentleman occu-
py%' indicating Hillard and smiling
evilly.
$50 it is all true, then?" billiard
exclaimed. You are his wife"
Well" cried the prince impatient
~. Il inquire again. what position
does he hold?"
"This villa is mine" she answered,
her tone giving hint to the volcano
burning in her heart. However the
estates may be partitioned, this will
be mine. command you to leave it
at once. I loathe you"
The prince laughed. She was simply
a sack Of gold. But this was his hour
Of triumph, and he proposed to make
the most of it.
Il could have let the c%arabinieri
take you to prison." he said urbanely
"A night in a damp cell would have
chastened your spirit"
SIS 1t possible?" returned Hillard.
"Your highness has but to say the
word and l will undertake the pleas
ure Of relieving you of this mans
presence"
"Be STILL" she said. "Will vol go?'
to the prince.
Presently. First I wish to add that
your dear friend is both thick skulled
and cowardly. I offered to slap his
face a few nights ago. but he discreet
ly declined"
Il am calm" replied Hillard, gently
releasing his arm from her grasp. He
approached the prince, smiling, but
there were murder and despair in
his heart Had ]! known you that
night n Of us, would not be here
now"
1T is not too late" suggested the
prince. Come. are you in love with
my wife?"
"Yes."
The bluntness Of this assertion rath-
er staggered the prince. "You admit
1t. them" his throat swelling with rage.
There is no reason to deny It"
"She is your
But the word died with a cough.
Hillard, a wild Joy in his heart, caught
the prince by the throat and damned
him back against the rose satin panel.
Hillard seized his sword arm and pin.
ned 1t to tho panel above his head.
Again and again the prince made des-