Evening star., 1921-10-15
from Yesterdays Star.)

"I will never forget what you have
done-and l will never forget N'coio
Capriano," he said in a low tone' MS
voice suddenly choked.
The old bomb kings eyes nuttereo
down. 1t was like blind man whose
face was turned to Dave Henoer-
II am sure of that. my young
friend" he said softly. Il am sure
that you will never forget Nicolo cap,
riano. shall hear OF you throush
Dago George" WI
He released his hands suddenly. HIS
eyes opened-they were inscrutapie.
almost dead, without luster. Co. ne
said, Il know what you would say.
But we are not children TO SOD on
dead yet Perhaps we will meet again
-eh? We will not make scene
Teresa will tell you that 1t might
bring on an attack. Eli? Wen. then.
go. You will need all the hours from
now until daylight to get well away
waved Dave Henderson from the BED.
In an uncertain. reluctant way. as
though conscious that his farewell 10
the old Italian was entlrely lnaue
auate, that his gratitude had found
no expression. and yet conscious, too.
that any attempt to express his feel
ings would be genuinely unwelcome
70 the other, Dave Henderson moved
toward the door. Teresa had already
passed out of the room. and was
Standing in the hall. On the threshold
pave Henderson paused and looked
back.
The old italian had sunk back on
the pillows. his fingers busy with the
counterpane.
,lv
talking to himself-"ha, ha!-the wine
of life, The old days back again-the
measured blades-the fight. the rasp
of steel. Ha, ha! Old Nico!o Is not
yet dead Good-bye-goodabye, my
young friend! 1t is old Nicolo VINO IS
in your debt; not you In his. Good
bye, my young friend-good-bye!
Teresa's footsteps were already re,
ceding along the paSsageway toward
the rear door. Dave Henderson. with
"a final wave of his hand to the old
Italian, turned and walked slowly
door ahead of him being opened. He
reached it. and halted. looking around
him. 1t was dark. as it always was
here, and he could see nothing-not
even a faint blurred outline of Ter
esas form. Surprised, he called her
only the door stood wide open.
He stepped out into the porch. There
was still no sign of her. 1t was very
strange! He called her again-he
only wanted to say goodbye. to thank
her, to tell her. as he had told her
father. that he would not forget
And. yes, to tell her, too. if he could
find the words. that some day he
hoped that he might see her again
But there was no answer
He was frowning now, piqued. ana
a little angry. He did not under
stand-only that she had opened the
door for him, and in some way had
deliberately chosen to evade him. He
did not know why-he could find no
reason for it. He moved on through
the porch. Perhaps she had preceded
him as far as the lane.
At the lane he halted again. and
again looked around him-and stood
there hesitant. And then there reached
him the sound OF the porch door being
closed and locked.
He did not understand. It mystihed
him. 1t was not coquetry-there was
no coquetry in those steady, SELF
reliant eyes. or in that strong. sweet
face. And yet it had been deliberate
ly done, and about 1t was something
Of finalty-and his lips twisted in
hurt smile. as he turned and walked
from the lane.
"Beat it," said Dave Henderson to
himself. you're dead"'