The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-05-10

how many years. ought to have a his
tory.
But il Is so very. very old cried
old Luigi deprecatingiy. lit has not
gone for 2rD years"
That hardly makes 1t less interest
ing" ! said dryly. Let us see the
clock by all means. The reluctance
of both st. Hilary aud Luigi had
struck Inc ms being rather strange.
Your ~excellency surely does not
mean to give it away? II is an heir
loom of the family" expostulated old
Luigi obstinately.
Bring 1t out" commanded the duke.
Very reluctantly the old man entered
the little chamber.
1T is too heavy" he cried from with,
In. II cannot lift IT,"
Duke da Sestos and myself went to
his assistance. Together we carried It
to the sala and placed 1t on the renter
table. The slight jar set n number of
bells ringing in musical confusion.
Certainly it was unique-a at least |
had never seen anything like Ii.
Imagine an oblong box of bronze
about as long as ones arm and three
quarters as high. Around three sides
of this box ran a little platform heav-
lily gilded- Immediately above this
Platform were twelve doors. three ut
either end and six at the face. 1t was
almost bare OF ornament. except that
on the top had been three figures. The
heads and arms Of all three we're now
broken off.
~Jacqueline had beer turning the
clock slowly around. Suddenly she
sank on her knees to examine 1t more
closely and read aloud.
Sc mi guardi con cura,
Sc mi ascolti con attenzione.
r Sc, nell intendermi. tn Sci cost acorto
com 10 10 sono mel dirtl-
T. arridera la Fortuna.
"Will you translate it for me.
please:"
IF you guard me carefully. If you
listen to me diligently. If you are as
clever in understanding ME as | am in
telling you. fortune will shine Oh
you. translated the duke.
The delicious braggart.'' cried Mrs.
Gordon de~lishtedly. Now. what do
you think that brave promise means.
Mr.. st. Hilary:"
Pooh. pooh. madame. 1t promises
too much to mean anything. Early
to bed n early to rise make a man
heahhy and wealthy and wise Time
* n1nnnvf- fharn = a 49,, 80 prnx.-
cribs as vague and as meaningless"
"Oh. but you mustn't east any as
PERSONS on my lear clock. Perhaps
Luigi can read the riddle more clever
ly. do you know if there is any leg
end connected with the clock:'
The old man hesitated.
Come. come; speak up said the
duke roughly.
"Ah. yes. your excellency-.' replied
the old man. But | implore you not
10 sell or give away the clock. You
will always regret it. Good luck goes
with the clock. our ~eXceIlcncy."
BE still. imbecile, Madame. shall |
have the clocl; taken to my launch for
you:"
"Oh. don't deprive the old man of
his charm against the evil eye. aunt"
said Jacqueline lightly. half plying.
half hooking the old servants dis
tress.
Il would remind Miss Quintard that
it is | who am deprived of the charm.
il there is any. and not Luigi" laugh
ed the duke.
II would be the last one to bring you
i'll fortune" TESTED Mrs. Gordon; then
very slowly. But | intend to bring
you good fortune. not to take it away
from YOU
Il am hoping precisely for that
said the duke gravely and looked at
Jacqueline.
J~acqueiine was still kneeling before
the clock.
How | should like to know what
YOU really mean. foolish legend she
said wistfully.
III leaned on the table and stopped
toward her.
IF one were to run down that legend
il would require patience and perse-
vcrance enough Ia satisfy even YOU.
would it not, JacquclineT" asked
lightly.
She smiled, but, seeing hat | was
half in earnest. became serious.
"les." she said slowly. Il believe it
would"
Then. %Jacqueline. when | begin my
legends of Venice shall | take up first
the legend of this old clock:"
DO" she said c~arelessly. Aunt
would thank you. | know"
| walked over TO the window and
looked Sloomily without. | had hoped
%Jacqueline was in earnest when she
suggested that | should write II book
on the legends of Venice. But now
that | wished to take her desire Sc
riously She was evidently inclined to
laugh nj me.
You will find that clock rather diff