Evening star., 1921-10-15
The House of Mystery Draws Its
Blinds.

Teresa's fingers twisted the key in
the lock of the porch door that she
had closed on Dave Henderson. There
was a queer, tight little smile quiv-
ering on her lips.
There was no other way" she
whispered to herself. What could
do? What could I say?"
Behind her, and at one side Of the
passage. was small panel door long out
of use now. relic of those days when
Nicolo Capriano's dwelling had been
house of mystery. She had hidden
there to let Dave Henderson pass by;
she closed it now, as she retraced her
steps slowly to her fathers room.
And here. on the threshold. she
paused for a moment; then reached
in quietly to close the door, and re-
tire again. Her father lay back on
the bed, his eyes closed. and his hands
outstretched on the coverlet. were
quiet, the long, slim fingers motion
less. He was asleep. 1t was not un-
common. He often did that. Sleep
came at the oldest times with the old
man, even IF it did not last long.
and
"Teresa-eh-what are you doing?
NicoIo Capriano's eyes half opened,
and fixed on his daughter. "Eh-
what are you dolng?
II thought you were asleep, father"
she murmured.
asleep! Bah! have been asleep
Enough: eor gftsef Flfteen years! Ha. ha! But
1 am awake now! Yes. yes. old Nicolo
has had enough Of dreams! He lie
awake now! Come here, Teresa. Come
here, and sit by the bed. Has our
clever young friend gomez?
''Yes. father" she told him. as sne
%ba. cbo ir of hedqjda
Nicolo Capriano jerked his head
around on his pillows. and studied
her face for moment. though MS
black eyes, with their smoldering. In.
Prospective expression. seemed not az
all concerned With her; ..,,n =, h,r,
eh-feresa, my little one-what do
you think Of him?
She drew back In her chair with a
"Why-what do you mean. father?'
she asked quickly.
In the old bomb kings voice. 1--WE
do not speak Of love-I suppose! DO
not expect you to have fallen In love
lust because you have seen man Tor
a few minutes-eh? Bah! I mean
just what say. I called him clever
You are Capriano, and you are
clever; you are the cleverest woman
in San Francisco. but you do not get
it from your mother-you are Cap
riano. Well, then. am ] right? He
Is clever-a very clever fellow?'
Her voice was suddenly dull.
"Yes." she said.
Good" CALCULATED Nicolo Capriano
I "fIe was caught five years ago. but II
was not his fault. He was double
crossed or he would never have seer
the inside Of penitentiary. So YOU
agree, then, that he is clever?' Wen
then. he has courage. too-eh? He
| was modest about his fight at Vim
etto's-eh? You heard 1t all from
| vinetto himself when you went there
this morning. Our young friend was
| modest-eh?'
Teresa's eyes widened slightly In q
/ puzzled way. She nodded her head.
Yes" she said.
! Good" said Nico1o Caprfano-ant
/ the long. slim fingers began to twin<
| themselves together. and to untwine
and to twine together again. We'll
then, my little one. with his clever.
| ness and his courage. he should sue
ceed-eh-in New York? Old Nicole
does not often make a mlstake-eh:
our young friend will find his money
again in New York-eh?
She pushed back her chair impul'
| siyely, and stood up.
81 hope not" she answered in Low
voice.
"Eh"" Nicolo Capriano jerked him.
self sharply up on his pillows, ant