Evening star., 1928-04-15

| caCtl. Mr.. Parmalee returned 10 MAKE
| an announcement.
Mama, come out. There's Scotch
man in the road down here that's play
ing on the bagpipes,"
So they went out. for Mrs. Parmalee
never had heard the pipes. The fact
that the musician was a Sicilian Shep-
herd and that the pipes bore little re-
Semblance to Scottish pipes made no
difference.
There's funnier one down at the
end of the Corso. but he plays on a
bamboo whistle I'd rather have them
funny than sad" Some one spoke in
English.
We'll" said Mr.. Parmalee. looking in
friendly manner at the young man.
there's funny things i'll the world aad
there's sad ones. We got to accuStom
ourselves to both of en-. Americana
Yes" said the young man.
"Um, Mama, this young mans an
American"
with YOUR folks?" asked Mama.
No. I'm alone. and don't mind say
ing it's pretty lonesome sometimes.
though / speak Italian pretty average
we'll" Apparently the young man was
lonely and felt the need of sympathetic
ears. I'm studying architecture, he
offered.
Looks like tn was a lot to study"
said Mr.. Parmalee. only sight of 1t Is
crumblin' away. Now there's kind OF
a nice-lookin' buildin' up them steps"
Its the Casino" said the young
man. My name" he added. lis Roland
Fiske."
And ours is Mr. and Mrs. George
Parmalee."
But the young mans attention
seemed TO have wandered from his
new acquaintance. girl came
through the gates of the Casino and
turned downward toward the CorSo,
slender girl. whose eyes were as black
as her hair. Her cheeks were of the
color of old ivory, and yet, somehow.
warmer, smoother. softer; and her lips
were very red.
"As l was saying" Mr.. Parmalee
rambled on. "the foods pretty good. sa
far. only Mama and me can't abide to
have fish fetched on whole. eyes ann
tail and all. 1t kind of looks you III
the face and you lose your appetite.
Mr. Fiske was not attentive; his eyes
travelled with the girl. who frowned a
very little. and said in Italian,
NO. no. You must not stand here.
Do you want to be dead?"
Il must see you"
Go back to your America" she said.
and turning from him. walked Slowly
toward the square below.
II was in the convent garden tnat MT.
Parmalee happened upon Roland FlsKe
talking with the awful seriousness OF
the young to the girl OF the CASINO. i9
ANYBODY but Mr.. Parmalee 1t WOULD
nafentlv have been an arranged meet
ing that discretion would have prs
tended not to see. But Mr.. Parmaiee
did not see things. He approached.
Ss A GAIN and again / tell YOU. SAID
~ the girl, that 1t is thing ar
ranged. Between my father and Gio-
vanpietro it is arranged" TINS III
Italian.
But what is that TO me?"
Il have told you what ii will be 70
vou." she said. and made sudden mo-
ton. as If a knife were held in her m
do you love this croupier-this Gio-
yanpietro?" -.
eyes. curiousiy deep and intent. never
TT is not good. that place" he said
savapely. ITO think of you there. al
ways-a part of it-hurts me here.
He touched his heart.
''It Is my fathers trade, she said.
1T will also be my husbands trade.
The wife OF croupier!
"And why not? Croupiers must have
wives. Why not as well as another"
Bait for a gambling house!"
II was here that Mr.. Parmalee
cougl1ed and approached affably. Nice
mornin amt it?" he asked
E~~ -. pntonA EfSka did mt
seem certain as to whether or not the
morning was clement. but presently he
admitted ii with good grace.
sid Mr.. Parmalee.
'Signurinedda Neri." said Roland. IAN
American friend, Mr.. Parmalee."
II saw you the other day" said Mr..
Parmalee. do you live here. Miss2"
AT thees time" she said briefly.
You're not a countess or anything. are
you? I'm kind OF curious TO see a
countess. If can locate one any
Signurinedda Neri arose. 1T is not
safe longer TO stay" she said In Italian.
They watch and question. II Is better
never see you again.
We could be married by the Ameri-
can consul" said Roland Then
could take you 10 America, away from
all this"
She answered. Unless the saints
we're mefciful," she said. I'VE should
never reach the ship"
she don't speak much English, does
she?" observed Mr. Parmalce
Il spick much English" she said
and then vas gone.