Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-07-06


Spouse from the artist The last name,
appeal was the strongest, but its etfec
was only temporary. She prolonged tn
sittings by requiring him TO do owe
certain features. but even with this ad
vantage she knew before the pictur,
was keeping from her the man sh,
wished to conquer,
When nothing more seemed to bt
done to the portrait Signora Borgia
said to the artist
This girl to whom you owe so much
should share the triumph you are sure
to make in this portrait. am going to
send for her to come to Rome to visit
me, that she may enjoy your success. -
Giovanni, who had arranged with the
pope for a mural decoration that would
take him at least year to finish eager
TO see again the girl who by this time
he realized was necessary to him, glad
ly fell in with the plan. He sent let
ter to Blanca with the one dispatched
by the signora, assuring her of the
change there was In him since he had
left her and begging her to accept the
invitation. Indeed, he wrote a genuine
love letter.
Blanca, who was DESTROYS TO learn
more of the woman whose portrait her
lover was painting, wrote that she
would come to Rome, but would feel
bound to visit an aunt living there who
had long ago given her a standing in
vitaton. Signora Borgia insisted that
when Blanca came she must sup at her
palazzo with her and Giovanni
Blanca went to Rome and few days
after her arrival went with Giovanni In
the evening to the palazzo Of Signora
Beatrici TO supper. If the artist had
given away his feelings for Blanca in
her absence he certainly confirmed the
matter in her presence. His love was
apparent as the sun in heaven.
There seems to be q sixth sense In
women that enables them to discern
antagonism from members Of their
own sex. Signora BOrgia made great
ado over Blanca, expressing herself as
delighted with her and folding her In
an embrace. Giovanni. however, no.
ticed q tremor pass over his beloved,
and when released from her hostess
arms she was deadly pale. But she
soon recovered herself and seemed to
be trying to show her appreciation OF
her reception. When her wraps had
been laid aside supper was announced.
and the three went into the room where
II was laid.
For an hour they continued to par.
take Of sumptuous repast. The 81. !
gnora pressed her guest to partake of
her wines, Of which there was a great |
variety saying; "Try this; II came
from Sorrento and Is considered very
fine Here Is some from FrascaH
Perhaps you win prefer It to the other
This muscatel Is delicious" In this
way she endeavored to persuade her
guests to drink. BLANCA slipped the
first glass handed her, and nothing
,ould induce her to touch another She
also gave an appealing glance to her
over, which served its purpose, for
when the signora placed glass before
lin he simply wet his lips with the
vine.
Toward the end Of the meal the host
'ss reached for a dish of figs on the
enter OF the table and handed one to
ach Of her guests. Blanca noticed
hat when the signora handed her a fig
he selected 1t carefully from the dish.
'ianca took It and noticed tiny mark
n II so near the color OF the fig as
carcely to be distinguished. She left
be fruit on her plate without touch.
lg II.
DO you not like fgs?" asked the /
gnora q
II do not care especially for them" \
as the reply. /
Giovanni had broken his fig open and |
anded 1t TO his sweetheart, saying: I
Try mine. and Will eat yours" b
Blanca clapped her hand on the fig Ii
! her plate, uttering at the same time n
cry The hostess looked at her as II Il
establishment and said
Give It TO me. | will eat IT,"
Blanca held 1t In her clinched hand.
70" she said; Il will take It home
ID eat II there"
The signora changed from leopardess
lion
Give 1t to me-" she cried imperi
sly.
Blanca clutehed It all the tighter
ne slgnora strove to take II from her
anca begged Giovanni to take and
ep II. He did 50. and the three stood
rveying one another with blanehed
'es and flaming eyes.
The signora ran into another room.
anca made for an exit. followed by
r lover, and when their hostess re-
ned TO the supper room with q sti-
10 they had vanished
What does II all mean 2" asked Clio
mi OF Blanca.
The fig is poisoned" =
md so It proved on applying a test Z
nora Borgia was too powerful TO Il
rrant an accusation. Giovanni and
inca returned at once to Florence. b
claimed that swollen wrist would