The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-02
The Euenii,e Story


(By Ixola Forrester.)
1t was insufferably hot, and Betty
had lost her way. Just as she rounded
the corner of the Via Apolloni some
body seized her silver mesh handbag
from behind, and yanked it from her
grasp.
"Oh. dear. bother you!" she ex-
claimed, and being young and Ameri-
can and athletic, she promptly turned
and chased the fleeing figure of the
thief.
He was short and young. Not once
did he look back. The click of Bet
tvs heels on the uneven pavement was
enough to tell him he was followed.
women's heads appeared above at
open easements. Suddenly the thief
lodged across the street around q
spOuting faun's head fountain project
ing from the wall, and by the time she
gained the same point there was no
sign of him.
He went in there. Signora." a girl
spoke from a doorway lazily, pointing
at small church. The iron gates
were open.
Under the shade of a widespread
ing. old olive tree sat Bellamy Talbot.
painting placidly on the canvas be-
fore him.
Somehow the unexpected sight of
him just at this instant inflamed Bet
tvs rising indignation and anger. 1t
was quite like him to appear suddenly
on her personal horizon like this at an
awkward moment after successfully
evading her all over the continent.
The silver handbag contained some
and two or three bills. Also it held
a round medallion locket. plain dull
gold, with her monogram on it. There
seemed to be only one exit to the
church. At its back rose a high red
brick wall. She hesitated, one small
step leading to the entrance. The girl
from the doorway strolled across and
leaned her elbows on the iron railing.
..Signor Bell-rni.'' she called. Bel
ing the red brick wall and the droop-
ing olive tree, the gray stone flags be-
meath, and q slice from the old church.
Being in the middle of a wash he re-
scented intrusion. She came nearer.
.Tonino has been stealing again. He
is hiding in the church now. He has
the signorina's purse"
"Oh. thunCeration." he murmured
beneath his breath. Betty forgot the
thief, and chuckled to hear the old
gasp of evaporation. He ran his
fingers quickly through his hair, and
stood up willingly. What do you
want, Betty?''
.'That's a pleasant tactful greeting"
said Betty, mildly. Aren't you glad
to see me? I didn't come after you.
Bellamy. I'm chasing somebody who
stole my handbag.
''Tonino," the girl supplemented.
The name reused Bellamy.
but you can't arrest T0nino. He's
my best model. He sits for me from
to IL daily, Betty
Hes going to sit for me-" said
Betty, Erimly IF they have jails in
Florence, he's going to SIT Tor me In
CELL"
Bellamy climbed the steps Of the
church three at time. He vanished
inside the cool. dim archway. and
Betty waited.
where does he live?" she asked
the girl.
I'm Norma Medals house. with the
green blinds and red peppers on the
balconies" She pointed it out down
the street. HE has painted a long
while here. He has my picture, too.
I sell melons in the fountain square.
He painted me there with the flower
stands behind me, and the doves all
around. He says he may never go
back to America"
"Oh, but he will" Betty said posi-
lively.
He has a dead heart" the girl an
swered, gently. HE has lost love.
Norma Media says So"
"He looks pretty hearty Betty re-
turned obviously. And he's not bit
glad to see me-" Here she stopped.
Bellamy emerged, smilingly from the
church, gripping her handbag snatch
err by the shoulder. He was curly
haired. with wonderful wide, guileless
dark eyes.
"I've got the bag for YOU" said
Bellamy What was in 1t? We want
to see there is nothing missing
ssWhy, err" Betty hesitated. and
began to turn rather pink as she re-
membered. There's some money.
silver change and bills, and my hand
kerchief with initial In the corner,
and my card case
Bellamy had opened the bag and
was verifying each count. Last OF all
he found the old medallion in the bot
tom, and. as he lifted it out. their eyes
met in one long straight look. Then
he asked impersonally:
Same picture inside ?"
Betty nodded.
..Tonino," he said to the boy. 1.-The
gods are good to you today. The
senorita In also good and generous and
forgiving. not for your sake, but for
mine. She wants my picture to be
success, Tonino. So you win not go to
Jail, not this time. Go and tell Norma
Media will not be home for dinner"
Tonino ned j0yously. stopping only
to kiss the girl who leaned over the
railing. Bellamy was gathering up
his brushes.
where are you stoppinE?" he
asked.
I'VE have rooms Mt the Palaxzo
Ferrati came over with the Cor
dons and Nell Lennox. Mother went
ON to Chicago at the last minute to
stay with Aunt Dora. She told me to
be sure and fnd you. Bellamy, on this
side" Beftyse eyes were very demure
--She always felt 10 sorry for you. some
way"
II felt sorry for myself" replied
Belhmy. simply. II acted like an