The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-10
NOW GO on WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XVI CContinued)

CHAPTER XVI (ContlnuedD
Mollys money was beginning to
disappear. Before, she had always
stopped at hotels. But in Florence,
in order to economic, she had gone
to a pension, which is rather like a
boarding house in America. Only
most pensions are nicer than most
boarding houses. And Pension
White. on the River Arno in Flor
ence. happens to be run by one of
the incest women anywhere.
Molly was beginning to cry, when
Sienorina Benvenuti knocked at her
door. Perhaps she had guessed that
Molly was travel worn and tired,
and disappointed because there was
no mail.
Wouldn't YOU like to begin get
ting acquainted with Fiorence?' she
asked. There Is time before de-
ieuner TO stroll down to Ponte Vec-
hhio. if you care to-
Motley looked blank.
"Ponte Vecchio,' Signorina
fastened to explain. lis the little
old bridge that crosses the Ano.
You'll know the minute you see 1t,
because I'm sure you must have
seen hundreds of pictures OF It.
Artists have been painting Ponte
Vecchio for a thousand years, L
guess. It's where all the jewelry
shops are tucked away. Many OF
them on the very spots where gold
smiths sold trinkets to the Medici.'
Molly wiped her eyes.
I've been having a dreadful fit
of blues" she confessed. But shop
ping always braces me up. Thank
YOU so much. SiguOrina.
III buy Jack a ring she was
thinking, ito make Up for the little
diamond that he gave me. Maybe
! can find an antique in one Of those
old shops
It was almost too good to be true.
She ventured into a stall that was
smelly and down-at-the-heel. And
there sat an ancient silversmith,
sticking rubies in the eyes of a
silver monster. on a silver ring!
The old man spoke no English,
but he called a school boy appren-
tice in, who was studying the Ian
guage. And the boy said that the
ring was a copy of one worn by
Lucrezia Borgia, who secreted a
poison powder in the head of the
monster. He showed Molly the
secret spring that opened the crea-
lures head. and there was place
TO hide poison enough to murder a
tiresome lover any day.
L suppose" hazarded Molly
doubtfully, that it costs a fortune. ="
The apprentice conferred with the
master.
Twenty-Five dollars" he said,
rand hand-wrought. Signorina, by
the finest smith in Florence. And
the eyes Of the monster are of
rubies."
III take it, she declared, fearful
lest the apprentice had made a mis-
take. and would correct it before
she could acquire possession.
1t was not until she bought. in
the market place, rafia handbags
for % centS-the kind that sell in
the smart shops at home for SIS
that she felt quite sure Florence
was a wonderful place for shoppers.
Happily she returned to Pension
White, with the precious ring for
Jack and amethyst earrings for
Rita.
Signorina herself drew back the
big bolt on the door, and admitted
Molly gayly.
The mail has come" she de-
clared. and also a cablegram."
It costs such a lot to cable from
the States to Italy that a cable is
sometimes a rather fearsome thing.
Molly took it nerYously. and tore
it open.
Il hope it is good tidings," re-
marked -Signorina Benvenuti.
She was sorting the letters Of
her guests, and placing them on
a table And her back. as she
spoke. was toward Molly. She
turned when she felt a little fiut-
tering hand on her shoulder.
Molly's arms were outstretched
and shaking. Before Sienorina
Benvenuti could catch her. she had
fallen. The cable was in her hand.