The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-08-07
CHAPTER III-Continucd.

He thanked me profusely when ]
consented to go with him.
All, signor padronei" 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
OF the York road, one of those narrow.
grimy thoroughfares into which the
sun never shines.
A low-looking, evil-faced fellow
opened the door to us and growled ac-
qualntance with Olinto, who. striking a
match, assembled the worn, carpetless
stairs before me, apologizing for pass
ing before me, and saying in Italian:
I'VE live at the top, signore, because
IL Is cheaper and the air is better"
Quite right" / said Quite right
10 on" And | thought | heard nv
cab driving away.
IL was gloomy, forbidding, unlght-
ed place into which would certainly
nave hesitated to enter had not NV
companion been my trusted servant.
out contrary to my expectations, the
sittihg-room we entered on the ton
moor was quite comfortably furnished.
clean and respectable, even though
traces Of poverty were apparent A
cheap lamp was burning upon the
table, but the apartment was unoccu-
pied
oilnto, In surprise, passed into the
ADJOINING room, returning a moment
later, exclaiming: "Armida must have
gone out to get something. Or per.
haps she is with the people, a compost
tor and his wife, who live on the floor
Deiow. They are very good to her.
III go and find her. Accommodate
yourself with a chair, signore." And
he drew the best chair forward for me.
and busted it with his handkerchief
L allowed him to go and fetch her
rather surprised that she should be |
well enough to get about after all he |
had told me concerning her illness. Yet
consumption does not keep people in
bed until its final stages.
Olinto returned in a few moments
saying that his wife had evidently gone
10 do some shopping in the Lower
Marsh.
i hope you are not pressed for time.
signore?" he said apologetically. "But
OF course, the poor girl does not know
the surprise awaiting her. She will
surely not be long"
Then Ill watt" said. and flung
myself back into the chair be had
brought forward for me.
nave nothing to offer you, signor
IPadrone," he said, with a laugh. 81
not expect visitor, you know"
mo, no. Olinto. I've only Just had
thinner. But tell me how you have
Jared since you left me-"
"Ah!" he laughed bitterly. ct had
many ups and downs before | found
myself here in London. The sea did
not suit me-neither did the work.
managed to work my way from Genoa
TO London. My first place was scullion
In restaurant in Tottenham Court
road. Afterwards went to the Milano
and | hope to get into one of the big
notels very soon-or perhaps the grill
room at the Carlton"
III see what l can do for Won"
said. Il know several hotel managers
who might have a vacancy"
"Ah, signore!" he cried, filed with
IF you only would, A
word from you would secure me a good !
position. l can work, that you know ,
and do work. / will work-for her ,
sake. a.,
YES" he said in hoarse voice. his G
manner suddenly changing. "You have /
onight shown me, signore, that you /
ire my friend, and | will, in return. $
how you that l am yours" And sud- I
ienly grasping both my hands, he
'ulled me from the chair in which I 4
vas sitting, at the same time asking $
n a low intense whisper: DO you al 1
Ways carry a revolver here in Eng b
and, as you do In Italy?" a
Yes" ! answered in surprise at his r
ction and his question. "Why?" v
Because there is danger here" he N
in the same low earnest
one. Get your weapon ready. You n
lay want it." e