The Washington times., 1911-10-15

UNCH was over. Billy had su-
borned a guide to take. him to
Steeplechase races and to trans
late the score-card for him. He
had asked me to go and had even in
voked my aid in proposed attempt TO
Sheepshead Bay methods.
But ! could not rouse myself to the
necessary energy and enthusiasm. The
ianguor' of Italian springtime had got
moment. to breathe and be happy
l. planned loating stroll In the villa
Nazionale garden. and, perhaps, a swim
later on In the afternoon. Accordingly.
clad for the walk, came down from my
rooms in the Masaniello and was Cross
ing the big. garish corridor toward the
street exit, when chanced to note
Doris Todd. with hat and parasol. as
though about to go out.
,ns she eva was sitting ,nears the desk. glanc-
AS l passed, heard her mumur
pretty little exclamation Of annoyance.
She looked up as passed. In common
civility l had to pause and speak to
o.! had not intended to. and told my
self ! was sorry l was forced to do SO
Yet, In spite of all, didn't really regret
the necessity of word or two with her.
ultra-respectable. pillar-of- society sort.
He was not man of bad morals. He
Was simply man OF no morals at all
White side whiskers and generous
white waistcoat impaired to him an air
of prosperous righteousness. that had
carried him unscathed through many a
crooked deal
Warned by my uncle's fate / had, as
1ar as the barest politeness permitted,
steered clear of the man since our first
meeting In Naples, a week before. AS
he and his daughter sat at the same
table with me at the Masaniello and as
we were compatriots. this aloofness on
NV part was not always the easiest
sort of attitude to maintain. The more
so since the old fellow seemed to have
taken a mild fancy to me.
Miss Doris Todd had especially
avoided. Like father like daughter is
one for hunting out the rare exceptions
could not see how any daughter OF
Amos Todd could be the sort of woman
that we Americans are taught to revere
than mere man.
True, she had a way of looking square
at you with those honest -appea ring
gray eyes Of hers; but I've lived long
Is quite certain to look you feariesslV
I'm the eyes when he is cheating Vol,
out of your last dollar, and I've seen
many man who was the soul of honor
ana vet whose eyes shifted furtiveIy
In every direction except in that of his
interlocutor's 'A'
II that ancient and miserable theory
that no man who is not honest can
look another straight in the eyes We're
only nailed once and for all as a hosx
there would be fewer gold brick victims
go l discounted those brave. honest
eyes of Doris Todd and remembereS
only that her father was smne
sscoundrel and that It was quite possibIe
his daughter inherited, in a more or less
modified form, some of his unlovely
traits. 'o'e'S
For this reason I had fought sbv NJ
her' as far as ! could, without posi.
tive rudeness. had at first applauded
nv own acumen in this matter: hut lat
teriy / was unwillingly beginning To
tipn.
Thus, / was not as sorry as I should
nave been when, on seeing her look of
disappointment at the contents of the
note she was reading In the corridor of
the Masaniello, felt myself bound to
pause and inquire IL l might be of
anv assistance.
She seemed a little surprised at NV
question. Perhaps. because Il was the
first time l had ever voluntarily adj
dresseu her. But she answered prompt
ly enough:
mo, thanks, There's nothing you can
do. Father and ! were going 10 make
a tour Of some Of the curio shops In the
upper town this afternoon. Count. Sc