The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-12-31
A Polite
Stranger
BY JOHN G. LARNED

though the younger, Edith. not only en-
joyed the curiosities, but seemed bent
on seeking them herself Italy is not
safe country to go about in by one
self. but Edith Record did great deal
of rambling. She was repeatedly warn
ed to cease hunting for relics of an
cient Rome in the environs, but would
not listen to the warnings.
One day, taking her brother Dick,
fourteen years old, with her. she got on
top of one of the double decker trolley
cars that run to and from different en-
virons of Rome and went to place in
the Alban hills. There she and Dick
plateau. They were hunting a spot
where recent archaeological discoveries
had been made. Not succeeding in
finding it, they looked for some one of
whom to ask it's location. Seeing a
man on horseback approaching, they
resolved to make inquiries of him.
When they met him they noticed that,
though dressed in a rather shabby vel
veteen suit, his face indicated a man Of
breeding
"Could you tell u.s." said Dick to the
stranger. "the location of the recent
archaeological find?"
II think you will find it over there
q short distance from here-about five
minutes walk"
He spoke in soft voice. which was
almost musical. keeping his eyes fixed
on Edith admiringly.
"Thank you" replied Dick, while
Edith nodded to the same effect.
Perhaps" added the stranger, IL
had better show you the way"
Despite their protests. he dismounted
and, leading his horse, walked with
them to point near the excavations.
There he stopped, took off his hat po-
litely and said:
Follow this path for few minutes
and you will reach the spot you seek"
You have been very kind" said
Dick. "When you are in Rome come
and see us. You will find us at No. -
on the Corso."
"Does the young lady join in the in
vitation?'
Edith inclined her head in mute as
sent.
Having found the place they were
looking for and examined the interior
Of house of ancient Rome, they re-
traced their steps to the trolley and
thence back to the city.
One evening during the following
winter, when social functions were in
order, the Records gave ball. 1t was
not a large affair, but very select.
Among the guests who were entering
Edith saw, clad in evening dress like
the other men, the stranger who had
conducted her and her brother to the
excavations She was surprised to see
him avail himself of the invitation he
had received to be present at formal
reception, but there seemed nothing
to do under the circumstances except
to welcome him. Moving forward to
where he was. she expressed herself
sent him to others of her family. He
assented, and the introduction was CIV
en-. though Edith, not knowing his
name, was obliged to present him as
1.-The gentleman who showed Dick and
me to the excavations"
The stranger remained but q very
short time. leaving before scarcely any
of the guests had noticed him. He
told Edith that he had made some
archaeological investigations near the
place where she had met him and had
just opened some graves and exhumed
articles placed in them 600 years be-
fore the Christian era. If she and her
brother would meet him there he would
be happy to have her take some Of
these archaeological treasures from the
graves where they were found. In
deed he had called for the purpose, not
knowing of the function given that
evening
To take things with her own hands
that had been in one spot for $500
years was delightful anticipation to
Edith Record. On the day that she
had appointed with the stranger she
and her brother went to the place des-
icnated The stranger met them with
a carriage and drove them to retired
Spot where were some graves recently
opened. He opened some more near
10y and exposed a skeleton in each. sur
rounded by various trinkets. which he
invited Edith to take out with her
own hands She did so and thanked
him for them.
And now" he said to Dick. putting
them into the carriage. "can you find
your way back?''
Are you not going to return with
us?" asked Edith. surprised.
1T would cost me my life to do So"
Your life!''
Eyes. signOrina. l rlsked it the other
night when | went to your house that
| might arrange to do you this little
favor. am Nicholi Sebastiano. ban
dit. A couple of carabineers. who fol-
lowed you to protect you. caught sight
of me when started to drive you
here. They are doubtless much dis
tressed about you. expecting you to be
held for ransom. They are probably
now celebrating what to do to save
you. Go back and tell them that Mich
oil Sebastiano. having been gentle
man. cannot sink so low as to rob
woman. But permit me ~ warn you.
s1gnOrina. not to go about i'm this part
of Italy unprotected
True enough. the girl and her broth