Evening star., 1912-09-09
CHAPTER VII.
The Search Begins.

It was ten months later when Norvin
Blake landed at Messina and took the
morning train westward to Terranova. As
he disposed his travelling bags in a COR
ner of the compartment ard settled him
self for the short journey he felt a kind
of irrational surprise at the fact that
there had oeen no changes during his alb
sence. The city was just as dirty and
uninteresting as when he had left, the
beggars were just as ragged and i'm
Fortunate, the street coaches were just as
rickety. 1t required an effort to realize
that ten mouths is. after all, a very
short time for it seemed ten years since
he had sailed away.
He had learned little from the coun-
tess during the interim, fol she had been
slow in answering his frequent letters,
while her own had been brief and nom
committal. They contained hardly a
suggestion of that warmth of intimacy
She persisted, too, in referring to that
imaginary woman, and Blake regretted
ever having mentioned her. If Mar
gherita suspected the truth, she could
not help feeling his lack of delicacy, his
disloyalty to Martel in ,onfessing his
love while the count was still alive; if
she really believed him 10 be in love
with some other woman, it, would neces-
state sooner or later an explanation
which he dreaded.
During the months of his absence the
girl had never been out of his mind and
he had striven hard to rec oncile his un-
conquerable love for her with the sense
of his own unworthiness. His unforgfv-
able cowardice was a ha lnting shame.
and the more he dwelt upon it. the more
unsDeakably vile he appear ed in his own
sight, for the Blakes were honorable peo-
Pile The family was old and cherished
traditions common to Inc southern
houses; the men of his name prided
themselves upon an especi; lily nice sense
Of honor. 1t was ineAplicatlc that he had
failed so miserably. for he had no rea-
son to suspect heritage of cowardice,
and he was sound In mind and body.
He had forced himself to an uiifiinch-
ing analysis of his case with the result
He resolved to reconstruct his whole be-
ing. If he were, indeed. a physical cow
ard he would deliberately uproot the
weakness and make himself into a man.
Others had accomplished more difficult
tasks, he reasoned: thieves had made
had become decent. Why, then, could
not a coward school himself to become
brave? He made up his mind to attack
the problem coldly, Systematically. and
he swore solemnly by all his love for
Margherita that he would make himself
over into person who could not only
win but hold her. AS yet there had been
no opportunity of putting the plan into
operation, but he had mapped out a
course.
Terranova drowsed among the hills just
as he had left it. and high up to the
right. among the trees, he saw the white
walls Of the Castillo. AS Re mounted the
road briskly, a goatherd, fiat upon his
back in the sun. was piping some haunt
ing air; tinkle of bells came from the
wit fr,r
Women were busy in the vineyards gath
ering their burdens and bearing them to
the tubs for the white feet of the girls
who trod the vintage.
Nearing his goal. he saw that the house
had an unoccupied air, and he found the
in answer to his summons. he made his
way around to the rear, where he dis
covered Aliandro. summing himself.
"Well. Aliandro" he cried. ''This is
good weather for rheumatism
The old man peered up at him uncer-
tainly muttering:
''The saints in heaven are smiling to-
day"
Where is the Contest Margherita and
her annt?''
They are where their business takes
them. l dare say. Mache."
"Gone to Messina, perhaps?'
Perhaps"
Visiting friends?"
Exactly. AMandro nodded. "They
are visiting friends in Mesisna"
! wish had known; just came from
there. Will they return soon?" Bfake's
hopes had been SO high, his disappoint-
ment was so keen that he failed to notice
the old mans lack of greeting and his
crafty leer as he answered.
Isl, Veramente! Soon, very soon. With
in year-hve years, at the outside"
''Whatr'
"Oh, they will return SO soon as ii