Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-18
THE NET"
Copyrighted. 1919, by ReE Beach.
CHAPTER III
THE GOLDEN GIRL

Shortly after the heat Of the day had
begun TO subside the two friends set
out for Terranova- Ricardo accompa-
MED them-it seemd he went every
where with Notwithstanding at dis
tance which allowed the young men free
dom to talk, his watchful eyes scanning
the roadside as II even in the light OF
day he feared some lurking danger.
Savigno explained his overseer's pres
suce BY the fact that Ferara's daughter,
Lucrezia was employed at Terranova as
a servant OF the countess nevertheless
Blake felt that the old fellow went
along more for the masters protection
than for any other reason
II was a splendid ride along a road
which wound in serpsntine winnings high
above the sea. now breasting ridges bare
OF all save rock and spurge, and now
dipping into valleys shaded by flower
ing trees and cloyed with the scent Of
blooms. II meandered past farms, in hap
hazard fashion past vineyards and gar
dens and groves OF mandarin, lime, and
lemon, finally toiling up over bold,
chestnut-studded shoulder Of the range
From here on 1t led through a wild
and somewhat forbidding. country, brok-
en- by ravines and water courses and
quite densely wooded with thickets,
which swept upward into the interior
as far as the eye could reach, but In
the neighborhOod OF Terranova the land
blossomed and lowered again as on the
other side OF the mountains.
Leaving the main road by a driveway
the three horsemen swung through spa
cious grounds and into a courtyard be-
hind the house. where an old man came
shunling slowly forward. his wrinkled
face puckered into a smile of welcome.
Ia! Aliandror' cried the count.
What do / see? The rheumatism is
some at last, grazie Diol"
Aliandro's loose lips parted over his
t0othless gums, and he mumbled:>
''Illustrissimo. the accused affliction is
worser'
''ImpossibIel Then why these capers?
Ny dear Aliandro, you are shamming.
Why. you came leaping like a goat
AS God Is my judge. carino, can
sleep only in the sun II is like the tor
lures OF the devil. and my bones creak
Ike a gate
"And yet each day I declare to my
self. 'Aliandro, that rascal, is growing
younger as the hours go by. 1t is well
We are not rivals in love. or I should
be forced TO hate him." The old man
chucllled and beamed upon Savigno, who
proceeded to make Norvin known.
Aliandro's face had once been long
and pointed. but with the loss Of teeth
and the other mysterious shrinkages Of
time IL had shortened until in repose
the chin and nose seemed to meet like
the points Of calipers. When he moved
his jaws his whole countenance length
ened magica1ly. as IL made Of some
substance more elastic than flesh. It
stretched and shortened rapidly now.
for the count had a knack OF pleasing
people
And where are the ladies?' savigno
inquired.
Aliandro cooked a watery eye at the
heavens and replied:
They viii be upon the loggiato at
this hour. nlustrissimo. The Donna
Teresa viii have a book" He squinted
respectfully at a small note which
Martel handed him, then inquired, do
you wish changer"
Not at all 1t is yours for your
courtesy"
'Graziel Graziel A million thanks"
And the old fellow made OF with sur
prising agility.
What a sham he is" the count
laughed as he and Norvin walked on
around the house. There is a Mafioso