The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-09-06
A Florentine
Episode
BY ELINOR MARSH

Arthur l1ofnStrcct, rlCn young
American, before settling down to
career, concluded to spend season in
Europe. He sailed from New York TO
Naples, thence proceeded to Rome and
later to Florence.
1t is supposed by persons who have
not been III Italy that one sees every
where relics Of tho ancient Romans.
There are comparatively few such
relics, but there arc many of mediacval
Italy. The most costly dwellings, arc
"palazzos," built several centuries ago.
Hcmstrcct took fancy to Florence
and concluded to spend some time
there, SO he rented pnlnzZo. or,
rather, half Il ono, and, hiring servants,
settled himself down, as it were, in the
middle Of the sixteenth century.
The building had been divided into
two parts, tho part that Hcmstrcet did
not occupy being occupied for Il small
family hotel, or rather what in Eu-
rope is called pension, which is mid
way between 4 hotel and IL boarding
house.
One rainy afternoon ienstrcct, who
had spent most Of the day in the pic
turc galleries for which Florence is
noted, came to his palazzo. 1t was so
dark that his servants had lighted the
lamps, and, going upstairs, as he ell
tered the hall OH which his bedroom
was located, he was astonslcd to see
that the hall was double the length he
had supposed it to be. at any rate,
he saw double the lights, but they
were dim. as were the objects they
lighted.
Hcmstrcct was very much puzzled
Going into his room he threw off
his wet ovcrcoat and rubber shoes
then went out With the intention Of
exploring the hall. He was surprised
to sec that it ended as he had under
stood it to end with Il picture
lIcmstrcct was frightened Surely
something had broken loose in his
brain. He went to the picture, exam
incd it. saw that it was what he had
supposed it was and went away rcsolv-
ell to watch himself closely for other
symptoms OF Il disordcrcd mind. But
he felt as we'll as lie had ever felt
and after awhile he ceased to worry
about any supposed disorder.
However, he never won't urStnrS to
his room without looking as soon as he
turned into tic hallway TO see If il had
been doubled as before. B,it the fig
urcs OF the picture were always there.
and the hallway was OF its usual
length
One night when Ilcmstrcct was in
hrI hn Il g., 1,
giggle in the hall There were no wom-
eli i'll the house except Il couple of
houScmaidS who know their place and
were in bed when Hcmstrcct had con!t
Ill. Curious to know what the SCUM.
meant. he arose and. cautiously open
InG his door enough TO see through Tx
aperture. saw Il sight that amazed him
more than his previous unexplained
one. y young girl stood in the hall
facing the picture. laughing and beck
oninE. She was all nquivcr with OK
citement. though she did not speak
except in pantomimc.
Thnndrrstruck. IIrmStrcct turned
from thc door, felt in closet for Il
dressing gown. then hunted for pair
OF slippers beside his bed. for he dare
'''' ''iiN' a. 'iSHliC lOI lCol vi SCUIllIS
the ApNarition without, then returned
to The door, threw it open and went out
intending. If it were flesh and blood,
to capture ii.
The hall was empty.
He looked to the end toward which
the girl had beckOncd There was the
picture. It's figures immOvablc as ever
Hemstrect went back to bed in won
der. Somehow it did not seem to him
that he had seen Il ghost. He felt no
terror, though he began to worry anew
lest there was hitch in his brain. He
lay awake most Of the night trying to
solve the problem, but finally went to
sleep thinking of it,
He arose the next morning shortly
before time for luncheon and stood
looking out on to the street. A cab
drove up to the pension next door. and
party alightcd. which included sew
cral girls. lIcmstrcet was thunder
struck to recognize in one OF these
girls the one who had stood in his hall.
way the night before.
1t was now evident that the appari-
tion was flesh and blood and doubtless
on Il lark. IIcmstrcet went next door
ana asked IL there was any passage
way bet "ccn the pension and his domi-
cilc, but the landlady answered him
that the two wings had been thorough.
~ cut off from each other She had II
motive in this since she suspected that
llemstrcet had lost property, which
would be laid to some one in her wing.
llcmstrcct kept an eye out for the
apparition in the galleries and finally
came upon her. She was an American
with n ~ to ne