AN ITALIAN REPRISAL

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 328, 24 January 1907, Page 3

AN ITALIAN REPRISAL

By HBLBK M. GIVINS

(Copyright, 1003, by Daily Story Pub. Co.)

WHEN Willis ran into St. Peter’s to escape one of the sudden downpours so prevalent in Rome during the summer months, he was still possessed by the sense of injury that had been his ever since he had hurried down the slope of the Janiculum an hour before, and had failed to see little Rosetta leaning over the wall near Tasso’s oak.

At their last meeting, as'she told him, between the bursts of weeping, of her father’s determination to have her wedding take place within a month, Willis had understood the necessity of putting an end to the romance an idle spring day and a peasants’ fete had been responsible for. It had all been idyllic and innocent enough. Being a good fellow in the main, and moreover, not wildly in love, Willis was capable of a sharp twinge of conscience when he realized the child’s distaste for a marriage about which she had at first prattled happily enough. But Rosetta was so pretty, so full of distress! Who Could resist the temptation of seeing her once more? Besides, had he not promised himself to speak wisely and firmly, as became mature 23 when advising inexperienced 17? Such, however, is man’s inconsistency, that when the trystlng-place appeared, void of the trusting maiden, he experienced none of the satisfaction popularly supposed to reward the virtuous. It Is one thing to confront a pair of beseeching black eyes, in the role of a stern representative of duty, and quite another to be anticipated; to find the play played out and the curtain rung down, without any of the plaudits so dear to self-sacrifice.

Now, avoiding a procession of damp pilgrims, in whom the odor of humanity predominated over that of sanctity, the young man strolled down the great nave with lowered head and thoughts bitterly intent upon the inconstancy of woman. Thus he did not notice a bucket dangling from the end ot a rope until he struck sharply against it. As he recoiled it rose in the air. and he saw it was a rude device for carrying water to some workmen who were repairing the mosaics ornamenting the dome. Willis’ lip curled with English Intolerance of such methods—his glance following the unwieldy contrivance until it reached a haven under a hoard stretched from side to side of the rail-* ing surrounding the dome. "The signore might perhaps like to see the work nearer. It is very interesting,” said a low-toned voice at his elbow, in Italian.

The young man turned quickly, encountering a pair of brilliant, shifty eyes, set in a handsome face of the better type of peasant. "It is forbidden to enter the dome during repairs,” he replied curtly In the same tongue.

"But I have a brother among the workmen. See, I am taking him the macaroni,” holding up a small basket, as he spoke. Then, as Willis shook his head impatiently, he added: "The old sacristan is also my uncle, so, if the signore pleases, I will gladly conduct him to the dome.”

Willis looked af the speaker with more interest. Rosetta had once pointed out the sacristan, speaking of his great age and of his relationship to her. Could this young man be the cousin lover against whom the girl rebelled? His good looks deserved a stronger hold upon her fancy. "How did you know I understood Italian?” Willis demanded abruptly. "I heard the signore speak to a beggar at the door.”

Evidently the fellow had been following him. That he should wish to conduct him to the dome was a singular coincidence: but he dismissed as improbable the idea of any stronger motive than the hope of a possible fee, and, moved by an unexplainable Impulse, he determined to accept the offer he had been on the point of declining.

Ten minutes later, stepping through the doorway opening upon the* narrow platform surrounding the dome, he heard a sharp click behind him, and turned to see his companion coolly pocket the key he had just removed from the lock.

"The signore appears surprised,” he said, regarding Willis with a smile of triumphant malice. “He has perhaps never seen a rat caught in a trap. To understand, he must first regard the scaffolding closing the platform on the left”

The other had mechanically turned to the point indicated. Certainly the left was completely blocked by the scaffolding; but no matter—they could pass to the right. Still that smile of triumphant malice. Willis made a step forward, but recognizing rather late the value of discretion, paused before the steely glint of a stiletto. Nevertheless he returned the Italian’s gaze without

flinching, leaning against the wall, and thrusting his hands nonchalantly into his pockets. The signore will remain without stirring—or—” The gesture was significant. "I understand. No need to Illustrate,” said Willis. “Besides there’s nothing in my pockets, but the small change I keep for your compatriots. Now, if you will be good enough to explain—"

“There is nothing to explain, signore. I am Guiseppa Montanar. who was to marry Rosetta Nicoli.” “You have taken too much trouble, Signore— er—Montanari,” Willis said, insolently civil. “Still, I am as yet in the dark. Is this perhaps part of the ceremony of announcement?"