Evening star., 1912-09-05
CHAPTER III.-Continued.

CHAPTER III.-Continued.
'welcome.'' she said. in voice as low
pitched as cello string, and her lover
smiled delightedly at the emotion he saw
leap up in Norvins face. That Souni
man was quite unconscious Of Martei
espionage Of everything. il
fact, save the splendid creature who
stood smiling at him as if she had knowr
him all her DAYS. His first impression
that she was all golden. all cleaning like
a flame. did not leave him. for the same
warm tints that were in her hair were
likewise present in her cheeks. her neck
her hands II was like the hue which
underlies old ivory. Her skin was clear
and of unusual pallor, Yet IL seemed tc
radiate warmth. Her lips were richly
red and as fresh as half-opcned flower
afording the only contrast Ia that puz-
ziing radiance. Her unusual effect was
due as much perhaps to the color or her
ewes as to her hair and skin. for while
they were really of greenish hazel
they held the fires of an opal in theii
depths Her brows were dark and met
above finely chiseled nose.
All in all, Blake quite taken aback,
for he had not been prepared for such
vision. and 4 sort Of panic robbed him
of speech
But the moment Of greeting was soon
over, and the lovers 1eU 10 tHdtttih'S VI
the wedding preparations.
1T was very good of YOU to come 50
long a way" said the countess. at last.
turning 10 the American Martel mas
told us all about YOU and about your ad-
ventures together
Not all,'' cried Savigno, lightly. I'VE
have pasts | assure YOU.
.'Martel tries so hard To impress Us
with his wickedness,' the aunt explained.
But We know him TO be JestinE. FER
haps YOU will confound him mere heiore
US
II shall do nothing of the sort Blake
laughed Who am I to rob him OF de-
lghtfully wicked past. upon which ne can
pretend to look back in horror, IL i the
only past he will ever have, so why
spoil il for him. On the contrary. | am
prepared to lend hand and to start
him off with list of damninc disclosures
which IL will require years TO i've down.
PRAY begin" urged the count, with an
air OF intense satisfaction. Eh. lie
hesitates Then | shall begin for him.
In the first plsce Margherita. he openly
declares that | covet your riches
The countess joined in the laughter al
this. and Noryin could only say:
You shouldn't place the least depend
ence i'm the words of man best friend
under such conditions. for he covers ms
chagrin at losing a comrade b! a display
of pessimism which he doesn't really
feel"
Miss Ginini's glance filled him with a
most disturbing seIf-consciousness, and
he was relieved when the lovers were
once more occupied with each other. II
was some time later that the countess
addressed her aunt. cxcitedly;
Listen, What do YOU think OF TINS,
zia mia The authorities will not admit
poor Paolo to BAIL and he is still IN
prison.
Poor fellow cried the Donna Teresa.
1T is La Malta.
"Perhaps it is better for him to remain
where he is. Martel said. ''He is at least
safe for the time being.
safe from WHAT" queried Blake.
safe from the friends of the man ne
shot.
safe also from Calls Wife the coun-
tess added she will doubtless kill him
as soon as he leaves the prison. She will
demand blood To wash her blood.
You sympathize with her. asked
Martel
Deeply, am not sorry her husband
was killed. but a wife has rights
You evidently believe in the ven
detta?" Norvin laughed.
who does not? The law is full OF
tricNs There is a saying which runs,
The sallows for the poor. justice for the
fool, :
you are a Mafiosa.' cried the scan
daliZcd aunt.
has lived a life. He often tells me
stories.
'Aliandro is terrible liar MarteI de-
cared II fear his adventures are much
like his rheumatism.
'You do not exact reckoning from
your enemies in America" queried Mar
gherita
"Oh. we do. but not with quite so much
enthusiasm as YOU do. We have some
outlaws. to he sure, like your notorious
"Cardi is but na<ne" said the girl
''He does not exist
Intercepting a warning glance from
Martel. Blake said no more. and the talk
drifted TO more agreeable subjects The
guest was beginning to feel quite at ease
when the count jumped up suddenly and
said:
IL must 20 TO the village. The baker
the confectioner, the butcher-all have
many things to prepare for the fiesta
and / must order the fireworks from Mes
sina. Norvin will remain here while Ri
cardo and ] complete the arrangements
Tell you il will be a celebration tc
awaken the countryside For an hour
then. addio," He touched his lips Il
Margherita's fingers. and. bowling to hel
aunt. ran down the steps.
Some Gadhy stings him." said thu
Donna Teresa. fondly. He is like a
child
That was a wonderful afternoon fol
Blake. Margherita Ginin took him into
her confidence without the slightest re
straint. There was no period of getting
acquainted: IL was as II they had known
each other for a lifetime. He never
ceased marveling at her beauty and hi:
ears grew ever more eager for her voice
Martei made no secret of his delight a
their instantaneous liking for each other
and the dinner that evening was the gay
est that had Frightened Terranova fol
years.
Inasmuch as the ride TO San Sebastianc
was long the young men were forced I,
leave early. hut they We're scarcely out %
hearing before Nartel drew his horse IL
beside Norvin's. and. laying hand upor
his friends arm. inquired. hreathlessly:
Well? Come brother of mine, Yo,
know I perish of eagerness. What have
YOU 10 say? The trlth. between man ant
man..
Blake answered him with an odd hesi
tation.
You must know without asking
There's nothing 10 say-eNcept that She
she Is like golden flame. She sets on
atire. She is different = wonderful. L
=
Exactly, Savigno laughed with keen
est contentment. There is no other
When Blake retired that night IL wa
not To sleep at once. for he was trouble,
by growing fear of himself that woul'
not be lightly put aside.