Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-02-10

Suddenly Allison realized that her
glance was caught in the depths of wide
brown eyes-merry, tender, compre-
hending eyes. Before she recovered her
self the man had raised his little glass
of brandy to his lips. Across the top
of it he was telegraphing toast ex-
pressed, Allison felt sure, in terms of
undying devotion.
Even Mrs. Joyce had observed his rapt
attention. II saw that man again." she
advised Mr.. Joyce, half an hour later.
Mr.. Joyce was huddled over the embers
in the big stone fireplace which warmed,
Intellectually, the library of the rented
cinquecento villa.
What man?" grumbled Mr. Joyce,
rubbing chilled hands together.
THAT man" Mrs. Joyce replied tersely.
"The one we meet so often strolling up
and down before our gate"
"Oh," grunted Mr.. Joyce. II saw him
talking to Assunta the other day. She's
pretty little thing. I'm willing to bet
his intentions aren't in the slightest
honorable"
Il don't think she's so pretty" Allison
burst out irritably. Besides he looks
like a gentleman"
What wouldn't give" unused Mr..
Joyce. for thick, juicy steak smothered
in onions! If only we could get a decent
butler maybe he could make Assunta
cook what we really want to eat.''
II put the advertisement in the paper"
Mr.. Joyce informed her husband. "As-
sunta would like to have us employ that
man who comes now and then with
olive oil. Take good look at him next
time he's in the kitchen, will you please,
Allison?"
THE following morning Allison was
gathering violets in the shady bed
below the balcony leading of her room.
Suddenly she was disturbed by the noise
OF footstep on the graveled path be-
hind her and the sound of something
falling.
She turned. A workman stood before
her. He was nursing a foot on which
apparently he had dropped a quart of
olive oil and his smooth shaven face
was twisted into an elaborate semblance
Of pain. He swept of his battered felt
\ in q bow that reached his knees. Dis
turbo?" he apologized.
"You don't disturb me at ALL" Allison
answered. TN fact. you interest me.
can't figure you out at all"
"Ah, signorina," stammered the man,
spinning his hat around in his long,
slender fingers. II dom speak Eenglish
very good"
you're always bobbing up," continued
Allison. Just when think you've dis
appeared for keeps, there you are. And
you've shaved your mustache." she
noted. I'm rather sorry"
"You have observe. signorina?" the
man asked, his wide eyes Frightening.
"You have look at me enough to know
that?"
Naturally" Allison admitted cheer
fully. you're always under foot"
The man dropped on the ground be-
side her. Isl, 81, signorina," he agreed.
"Once at cinema you put your foot
down on mine hard, like this" and
he dug heel in the soft, green turf.
"You have hurt very moch."
Allison blushed. "You have such
strange customs in this country" she
informed him. "You-you pinch"
Isl. signorina," he replied. Some
times wen we weesh to know theengs
about people. Dom you theenk it would
be very very tommy not to wan to
know theengs about beautiful woman?"
You mustn't be absurd" Allison COM
manded, feeling inadequate.
NO. signorina." He leaned toward
Allison. rs 1t absur' to praise the moon
an the stars an the good sun which
HkH SvNN ~I~