Omaha daily bee., 1922-01-01
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.
The Horrors Of the Venetian
Dungeons Appeal to Helen's
AtzviStic Instincts.

"Readyi' Warren, at the door, inn
patiently tapped his cane.
In just minute Helen gathered
np her gloves. her "Guide 10
Venice and the postcards she had
written before breakfast. IL want TO
get stamps for these as we 60 out." /"
Hello, you've got caller!
Cheeky beggar"
IN adventurous pigeon had fut-
tered in through the long window,
the sun glittering on its iridcscent
neck, as il pcrked its head in
quringly.
"Oh, dear. how tame! Wait, I'll
give il some crumbs taking roll
from the breakfast tray.
Greedily it gobblcd the crumbs
from the floor, but refused to cat
from Hclen's hand, shying under the
bed.
Now you haven't time TO fool
We want TO get started early"
Should we leave it in here? 1t
might break something on the tray.
I'll put some crumbs on the bal
cony."
The pigeon coaxed out, Helen
paused to glance down the Grand
canal that reflected the morning bril-
liancy. Barges. colorfully heaped
with fruit and vegetables, glided by
the gray palaces, pathetically shabby
IN the sunlight.
At Warren's irasciblc call, she
turned back into the room, closed
the shutters, and hurried after him
as he strodc down the vaulted cor
ridor.
Helen's postcards stamped and
mailed at the Office, they started out
for St. Marks Square-thc lounging
center OF Venice.
The modest rear entrance of the
hotel, III marked contrast to the
Grand canal front, opened on
quaint, shoplined street
With no wheeled vehicles and no
sidewalks, the narrow Venetian
street. paved evenly across, was filled
with leisurely strollers.
You can enjoy walk in this
burg" approved Warren. mo taxis
TO dodge"
Crossing bridge over one OF the
interesting canals, through another
picturesque street, they entered the
famous Piazza.
Approaching from the west, the
square lay before them in all its fes-
tive splendor-the domes of st.
Mark at the opposite end and the age
darkened palaces on either side.
"'Thc most impressive square in
Europe,-that's what the guide book
calls it."
They'd sense enough not to plant
statue in the middle" commended
Warren, for the spacious plaza was
unmarried by monuments.
Though it was not yet 10 o'clock,
the tables in front of the cafes were
we'll filled with patrons slipping the
inevitable glass of vermouth.
Shop windows, disconcertingly
crowded with Venetian lace, beads,
jewellery, leather and glass, faced the
colonnaded walk continuous on three
sides OF the square.
Dear, we must get something
Here for Carrie" as they stroiled
along.
Lot of junk--fxed up for tour
ists," grumped Warren.
But some of these laces are love
". And this hand-tooled leather!
How would one OF those card cases
do for Lawrence? They're only 20
lire
"Huh. you spout about the great
est Square in Europe, but you're too
busy lamping the gim-cracks in the
shops to look at il" contemptously.
If we could only take home
pair Of those tall Venetian goblestsW
Now, we're not going to load up
with lot of truck that'll break.
Hello, here's Quadri's! Supposed to
be rafting good place" Warren
always knew about the cafes and
restaurants. Guess its too early to
have drink.
Suddenly, as the great clock
doomed out, cloud OF pigeons filled
the air. At the last stroke of 10,
some huttered back to their sculp-
tured, crevices. others to the foot OF
the tower where several tourists
were feeding them.
Look dear. that old mans SELL
ing corn! Let's get some"
As Helen bought two tiny cones
filled with corn and peas more pig
cons flew down. Tanner than her
balcony visitor, one settled on her
shoulder.
Lazy loafers! So fat they can
hardly waddle" Warren threw the
whole OF his cone in one careless
handful
If they'd only let me stroke
them," but even the boldest pigeon
feeding from her hand was coyly
elusive of further familiarity.
Come on, can't fool here all
morning"
After a glimpse into the vast, dim
interior OF St. Marks cathedral, they
passed on to the Doges' palace.
How about a gondola ride" War
rem looked out over the lagoon. "You
we're keen for that last night"
Not now. dear, it's too sunny
later this afternoon. While we're
here. we ought tc go through the
Doges' palace"
Now I'm not going TO do any
art galleries. belligerently.
''We needn't do the art part-but
I've always wanted to see the dun
geons!"
A lowering guide, who had spot
ted them as tourists, now ap-