Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-06-03
CHAPTER nI-contlnued.

He thanked me %profusely when l
consented to go with him.
"Ah, signor padrone!" he said CRATE
fully, she will be so delighted. 1t is
so very good of you"
We hailed a hanson and drove
across Westminster bridge to the ad-
dress he gave-a gloomy back street
off the York road, n of those narrow.
grimy thoroughfares into which the
u never shines.
A ~low-looking, evil-faced fellow
opened the door to us and growled &C
~quaintanee with Olinto, who, striking a
match, assembled the worn, carpetless
stairs before me, apologizing for pass
ing before me, and saying in Italian:
1--WE live at the top, signore, because
it is cheaper and the air is better"
quite right" l said. quite right.
Go on" And | thought heard my
cab driving away
1t was a gloomy, forbidding, unlight-
ed place into which I would certainly
have hesitated to enter had not my
companion been my trusted servant
but contrary to my expectations, the
sitting-room we entered on the tor
floor was quite comfortably furnished
clean and respectable, ever though
traces of poverty were apparent. A
cheap lamp was burning upon thu
table, but the apartment was noccu
pied.
Olinto, in surprise, passed into thu
adjoining room, returning a momen
later, exclaiming: "Armida must hav'
gone out to get something. Or per
haps she is with the people, a compost
tor and his wife, who live OF the foo
below. They are very good to hel
III go and find her. Accommodate
yourself with a chair, %signore." An
he drew the best chair forward for me
and busted it with his handkerchief.
/ allowed him to go and fetch he
rather surprised that she should b
we'll enough to get about after all h
had told me concerning her illness. Ye
consumption does not keep people i
bed until it's final stages.
Olinto returned in a few moment
saying that his wife had evidently gon
to do some shopping in the Lowe
Marsh.
81 hope you are not pressed for tim
signore?" he said apologetically. "Bu
of course, the poor girl does not kno
the surprise awaiting her. She wi
surely not be long"
Then I'll wait" l said, and fur
myself back into the chair he he
brought forward for me.
81 have nothing to offer you, sign
padrone," he said, with a laugh.
did not expect a visitor, you know"
mo, no, Olinto. I've only just hi
dinner. But tell me how you ha'
Jared since you left me-"
"Ah!" he laughed bitterly. Il hi
many ups and downs before l foul
myself here in London. The sea d
not suit m%e-neither did the work.
managed to work my way from Gen
to London. My first place was sculli
in a restaurant in Tottenham Coz
road. Afterwards | went to the MilaI
and l hope to get into one of the
hotels very soon-or perhaps the gr
room at the Carlton"
"Ill see what | can do for you
said. 81 know several hotel manage
who might have a vacancy"
"Ah, signore!" he cried, filled W
qualification. IF you only would!
word from you would secure me a &c
position. l a work, that you know
and 1 do work. l will work-for
sake.
"Yes," he said in a hoarse voice,
n suddenly changing. you hi
tonight shown me, signore, that
are my friend, and / will, in retu
show you that l am yours" And S
denly grasping both my hands,
pulled me from the chair in whic
was sitting, at the same time ask
in a low intense whisper: DO you
ways carry a revolver here in Z
land, as you do in Italy?"
YES" | answered in surprise at
action and his question. "Why?"
Because there is danger here"
answered in the same low ear
tone. Get your weapon ready.
may want It,"