The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-09-23
BY ELEANOR STQRRT

worth more than his criticism" Marga-
retta said soberly, and oh, Mother, i
Enrico doesn't ask for it, he may get it
Uncle Liphey is so queer.
Her mother shook her head as one who
despairs of such convenient arrangement
and held her daughter in her arms, frankly
admiring her firm, bright face, while fearing
the new expression In her eyes, an express
sion of comprehension and of protest.
What terrible looking workmen they
have about here Margaretta said to her
uncle at the noon hour, when host of
potters, white with clay, took their black
bread to a far corner of the factory enclosure
where a solemn fat boy poured olive oil on
each piece.
They're not any more murderous than
the average Italian, in appearance any
way" he reioined comfortably; "why,
Margaretta, these people are more danger
Gus than many savage tribes. 1t worries
me to have your mother living among them.
| don't want to leave you here. Ritz says
they're loving as children. Poor Ritz, he
has good deal to learn! Why, among
these very employees are some Of those
kidnapping wretches! Oh, Enrico has
much to learnt"
We all have" Margaretta rejoined
sententiously.
Signor Ritz went to his factory every
morning and Uncle Liphey rushed about in
an automobile with his great-niece and her
mother, except on special occasions when
Margaretta remained at home to accom-
plish her summer reading prescribed by
the school. authorities. She would wander
to the rivers edge and sit high above it,
between the sky and its faithful representa-
ton in the water, thinking of one thing only,
the best method of managing Uncle Liphey.
On one windy morning she walked along the
high cliff seeking shelter She had bit of
sewing in one hand and "Consueloo In the
other. Fully resolved not to read or to sew,
she sat down at last, half mile from the
house, but within sound of porters loading
finished china OH goods train which
wheezed unseen beyond bend in the river.
She closed her eyes while the soft airs
caressed her, and opened them to glance
down the steep; a mans head peered out
from the vines and greenness, a round, we'll
brushed head; and presently his body
stretched out also, as he placed a foot where
the earth sustained it and, stepping here
and there, came catacornered UP the cliff
and went swiftly away toward the villa at
the place where line Of expresses stood
shoulder to shoulder at the edge of the
cliffs deep green. Margaretta moved over
to the stand of soldierly trees with her book
and sewing, she placed her foot on a ledge
and descended quite easily, as deep diagonal
welts traversed the face of the vine-clad
bluff She was alone and felt herself en-
parked upon an adventure. She liked that.
Presently she gave cry Of pleasure, for
her jutting, slanting path had come to
happy ending in cave whence she had seen
the sleek head protruding. The river was
still far below her and the dry land, as she
phrased it, twelve feet above, but within the
round cavern was soap box and matches
and great basin Of fresh milk, neatly
covered with a plank which fitted tightly
and well. She sat down and sewed at least
five stitches. Then she drank all the milk,
and took her book and her sewing up the
cliff again, sitting at a distance from the
expresses, while commanding view of the
exit from the cave; she waited, watching
and saw the cave-dweller come down the
cliff path and sink from sight down the face
Of the bluff. He had long loaf of bread
under his arm.
Z" | wonder" she thought, IF he lives
there for economy, or because he's hiding
In another instant his face of fear had
answered her. His shocked, staring eyes
searched the path in both directions as he
appeared over the top of the cliff once more,
and she heard the intake of his breath
across the spring-scented silence, and saw a
glistening line of steel in his determined
hand. Her dress Of green linen protected
her and made her one with the foliage be-
hind which she covered He gained the
path and rushed along it, away from the
villa, without thought but flight.
Margaretta lay back frightened 81
wonder what he's done!'' she said family,
che thinks he's discovered, because ]
drank his milk"