Evening star., 1912-09-06
CHAPTER V.
What Waited at the Roadside.

To avoid the dampening effect of ar
early departure the three men rode out
quietly from the courtyard at the rear OF
| the house. leaving the merrymakers to
| their fun.
80. this is our last ride together. "
Norvin said, as they left the valley and
| began the long ascent of the mountain
| that lay between them and Martinello.
"Yes Henceforth we spare our horses
| You see. tomorrow we will take the
morning train. Half Of San Sebastiano
will accompany US. too, and everybody
will be dressed in their finest. Ricardo
here, for instance will wear his new
brown suit-a glorious affair. Eth:
Ricardo?''
TT would be as well to refrain from
speaking said the overseer gruff1y
| "The road Is dark. Who knows what
may be waiting?"
Nonsense. Be not always bear we
are three armed men. / fancy Narcone
nay, even our dreadful Carol himseii
would scarcely dare molest us.
| Ferara merely grunted and continued
| to hold his place abreast of his en-
| ployer. Norvin observed that he carried
| his rifle across his saddle bow, and IN
| voluntarily shifted the strap Of his own
weapon so that it might be ready in case
| Of an emergency.
| The sky was moonless tonight, but
| crowded with stars. which gave hsh'
enough so that the riders were able TO
| follow the road without difficulty, al
| though the shadows on either side We're
dense. The air was sweet. and SO stu
that the sounds of revelry from Terra
nova were plainly audible.
Youth Youth. What glorious
| thing it is" exclaimed Marte1 after q
frutless attempt to hold his tongue
| RICARDO would have us go rroWlng ike
| robbers when our hearts are singing inun
| enough for all the mountainside TO hear
There is no evil IN the world tonight. tor
the world is in love; tomorrow 1t bursts
| into happiness, And I am king over u
| ALL
II shall he glad to he rid Of you. just
| the same" grumbled the old man.
| "They have begun the fireworks. said
| RIake .Jt's too had you couldn't stay
and see them. Martei." IIe turned IN his
saddle, and the others refined in as
rocket SCARED into the night sky and
burst with shower Of sparks. others
], followed, and detonation sounhen
family.
| Poor peopIe- said the count gently.
It can hear them crying OH All: Beau
| tiful, IT is an angel from heaven.
| "On the contrary. I'll warrant they re
exclaiming 1T is that angel from San
| Sebastiano You have given them a
great night" :.
The count laughed. Yes. They will
/ have much to talk ana cream dbout.
Their lives are very barren, you know,
/ and l hope the countess and l will be
| able to make them brighter as the years
go by When they learn to know me,
| when they learn to love and trust me.
there will be brighter days at Terranova
| and at San Sebastiano.
| They love you now. / am sure"
! II am too much a stranger yet; have
| neglected my duties. but-well in my
travels / have learned some things that
will be of benefit to US all. I see so
much to do. 1t is delightful to be young
and full of hopes. and to have the means
of realizing them. Above all. 1t IS de-
licious to know that there is one who
will share those ambitions and efforts
with you l see Ricardo is disguised
with me, but he is pessmist He does
not believe in charity and love-"
What foolish TALK" protested the old
man. with heat do 1 not love my girl
Lucrezia? Do 1 not love you. the coun-
tess and-and-perhaps a few others?'
| Martel laughed. Il was merely teasing
you"
| They resumed their journey, leaving the
showering meteors behind them. and the
| count in the lightness of his heart, be-
gan humming a tune.
| CTo be continued tomorrow