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About The Hood River news. (Hood River, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 1910)
THE HOOD RIVER NEWS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1910 5 The Lure of the Mask By HAROLD MAC CRATH Csp,riht, 1908. by lbs Saabs- M.rrill C. (CONTINUED FKOM LAST WEEK) CHAPTER XVI. KITTY DROFS BANDBOX. MT T T HAT'S Hie A Whenever y y your cigar HAT'S the matter. Jack? rer you smoke ir goes out. You rend a newspaper by staring over the top of it. You leave your watch under the pillow and bavs to bike back for It. You are absent minded. Now, tvliut's tbe matter?" Hlllard sighed heavily. "There you bo again.'" laughed Mcr rlbew. "You tack that algb to every thing you aay. Hlllard was human. He might be deeply In love, but this bad not de stroyed bis healthy ene of humor, o be laughed at himself "It'B a curious biiRliieH the dinner, tbe mask, the veil, the mystery." went on Merrlhew. "I tell you frankly. Jack, something' wrong, and we ahnll both live to And It out " "Rut whnt? Heaven on earth, what? Haven't I tried to figure It out till my brain aches? I haven't gone forward single Inch." "What shall you dor "Nothing. When we have seen Flor 'ence we'll drop down to Penigla and Rome, then up to tbe Italian lakes, after that home. If you say." Hlllard looked at his watch. "Only 0," he said. "Let's go over to Gambrlnus' and hour the music." Tbe Hotel Itnlle was but a few blocks from the I'inzza Vlttorlo Eman nele. Tbey found the Halle crowded, noisy and Interesting. From the Halle tliey went downstnlrs and through Lbe till I In rl room. I'nder tbe arcade tbey found n smnll table. Presently two of ficers, one In the resplendent uniform of a colonel, went past. Hlllard's pulse was tuned to a quicker stroke. "I hope lie doesn't see us," be said, tipping bis piumnia over his eyes. Merrlhew scowled fiercely. "So long as he doesn't observe us," said Hlllnrd. "1 have no Interest In bis affairs." Had he none? he wondered. "He Is coming this way again. Dan." Hlllnrd changed bis mind. He push ed back bis bat If the man with h4 scar saw hi in and spoke be would re ply. The colonel, glancing at the pair, baited. He turned and spoke to his brother officer The man with the scsr stepped over to the table and leaned with tils hands upon It There was a savage humor In his dark eyes. "Did I not tell you that we should meet again?" he "aid to Hlllard. "Are you specking to me?" asked Hlllard. Every muscle In bis body was alert and ready. "Certainly I am speaking to you. This Is the fellow," speaking to bis companion, at the same time drawing off his gloves. "I object to the word fellow," said Hlllard. "Besides. I don't know you." "Ah, discreet!" sneered the man with tbe scar. "Colonel !" cried the subaltern as bis senior smoothed tbe gloves and placed them carefully In his left band. "Oh. I am cnlm: Rut I bave been dreaming of this moment. Now!" The colonel reiuldressed Hlllard. "You meddled with an affair that night In which you had no concern." "Are you quite sure?" "Yes, I am sure. And yet as I think It over, as I recollect the woman," went on the colonel, with a smile which was evil and Insinuating. "In Monte Carlo I was practically alone. Here It Is Florence. Doubtless yon JOHN COWLEY SHOE S HO P Will sell at cost my entire stock of shoes till all is sold. Rubber Heels a specialty. Opposite Pontofflca Hood River, Oregon JOHN a. ZOLLS& SONS Contractors in Stone, Brick atui Concrete Work Hood River, Oregon RANDALL & DUKES House Moving and Raising Wl llto hindle til kind, of Heavy Machinery and Smokotackt Phone 137-K Hood River, Oregon C. F.SUMNER Lavatories ZoxktQ Sinho PLUMBING sewer and Drill TILE will understand." He struck out with the gloves. Dut they never touched Hlllard's face. His band caught tbe assailant's wrist and wltb quick jerk brought him balfway across the table. The Italian cried faintly. Hlllard spoke tensely: "Listen carefully, slgnor. I under stand perfectly, but 1 shall flght no duel. It Is an obsolete fashion. A blackguard 1 know you to be. If you ever address me again I promise to give you a whipping which will have a lasting effect upon your future ac tions. If that will not serve I shall appeal to tbe police." Through the crowd tbe ever present carabinlerl shouldered their way. The colonel motioned them to stand back, which tbey did wltb a sign of respect This sign gave Hlllard some food for thought. His antagonist was evident ly a personage of some Importance. "Figure of an American plgT Hlllard laughed. The scar was livid on the Italian's theek. His companion laid a restrain ing hand on bis arm. He nodded, and Hlllnrd $poke tncly. tbe two made off. Merrlhew was for going back to the hotel. Hlllard agreed. "I wanted you to give him a good stiff puucb," said Merrlhew. "We should bave slept in the lockup overnight If I bad. If our friend Is left handed he'll be Inconvenienced for a day or two. I put aome force Into that grip. You see, Dan, the Italian still tights his duels. It would bave been a flue Joke If I bad been fool enough to accept bis challenge. He would have put daylight through me at tbe first stroke." "Did you notice bow respectful the carabinlerl were?" "It set me thinking. Ob, I've pre monition that we haven't seen the last of this distinguished gentleman!" After luncheon tbe next day tbey were entering tbe Via Toroabuonl when a young woman came out of a little millinery shop. Immediately Hll lard stepped to one side of ber and Merrlhew to the other. "You cannot run away this time, Kitty Kllllgrew!" cried Merrlhew Joy ously. e e In the Villa Ariadne tbe wonderful fountain by luinlello was encircled by a deep basin In whlcb many genera tions of goldfish swsjm about. Forming a kind of trluugle about the basin were three ancleut marble benches such as tbe amiable old Itoman senators were wont to lounge upon during the beat of tbe afternoon. A maiden sat on o of these benches, ber arms thrown out ou either side of the crumbling back, ber cbln lowered and her eyes thoughtful. Merrlhew stole up from behind wltb all tbe care of a practiced hunter. Then he put bis bands over ber eyes. She struggled for a brief moment, thru desisted. "It Is no puzzle at all," she declared. "I can smell horse, horse and again horse. Mr. Merrlhew" "Yes. I should bave fetched along a sachet pow4er. I remember but one thing. Kitty, and that's you." He sat down beside ker. "There's no doubt that I reek cf tbe animal. But tbe real questlos Is. How much longer are you going to keep me dangling on tbe string? I've been coming up here for ten days now." She bad drcrscd expressly for this moment, but Merrlhew was not going to be told bo. "But am I to be blamed If. after having refused twice to marry you, you still persist?" Kitty assumed a Judicial sir. "But you haven't refused me tbla time" "Because ! wish to make It as easy as possible for you." Which of tbe two meanings she offered him was lost upon Merrlhew. 'Come, let us be sensible for tei minutes." Merrlhew laid his watch on the bench beside him. Kitty laughed rolllcklngly. for be neath ber furbelows and ribbons and trinkets she was Inordinately happy and light of heart Her letter bad come. She was only waiting for the day of sailing. Merrlhew reached out and caught her hand. "Ob, I said let us be sensible for ten minutes!" she demurred. "Kitty, will you marry me?" "Could yon take care of me?" "I'll work." "Oh. If you were only rich!" "You don't mean that, Kitty." "No." relenting. "I don't But you bother me." "All right. This will be the last time. Will you marry me? I will do all a man can to make you happy. I love you with all my heart. 1 know. You're afraid. You've an Idea that I am fickle. But not this time, Kitty; not this time. Will your Then without further hesltance. In different to tbe future or tbe past, con scious only of tbe vast happiness of tbe present. Kitty laid her band In bis. He would bave drawn ber Into his arms bad not they both seen O'Mally pushing through tbe box hedge, fol lowed by some belated tourists. Merrl hew swore softly, and Kitty laughed. On tbe terrace the tea table dazzled tbe eye wltb its spotless linen, its blue canton and Its bundle of pink roses. Hlllard extended bla cup for second filling. La Slgnorlna vaguely won dered where Kitty was. She needed Kitty at this moment. How Inexplicable were tbe currents and cross currents of life! She bad met a thousand men handsomer, more brilliant. They bad not awakened more than normal Interest And yet this man, quiet, humorous, ordinarily good looking, aroused In ber heart dis cord and penetrated tbe barriers to the guarded sentiment Why? Always this query. She gathered up a handful of tbe roses and pressed them against ber face, breathing deeply. "If I were a poet, which I am not" He paused Irresolutely. "You would extemporize on the beauty of the perspective." she supple mented. "How the" "I was thinking of your hair," be Interrupted. "I have never seen any thing quite like It." She had recourse to the roses again. "You have not told me tbe real rea son why you sang under my window that night." "Have I not? Well, then, there can be no barm in telling you that I had Just signed the contract to sing with the American Comic Opera company In Europe. I saw tbe world at my feet for It would be false modesty to deny that I have a voice. More dis illusions. The world Is not at my feet." lightly. "Will you answer a single question?" "I can make no promise." "Is there another man?" Silence, which grew and .lengthened. "What do you mean?" she asked evenly. "In Venice you told me that there was a barrier. I ask now If this bar rier be a man." "Yes." A wrinkle of pain passed over his heart. "If you love him" "Love him! No, no! I had hoped you would not speak like this. I re lied upon your honor." "Is it dishonorable for me to love you?" "No, but It Is for me to permit yon to say so!" He was pale, but not paler than she. "I offer you nothing, Mr. Hlllard. nothing no promise, no hope, nothing. A few days longer and we shall sep arate finally." Merrlhew and Kitty came Into view. "It Is all over," said Merrlhew ex ultantly. '"Kitty has promised to mar ry me as soon aa we land In America." La Slgnorlna took hold of Kitty's hands. "Ia It true. Kitty r "Yes, ma'am." Kitty answered, with a stage courtesy. "I bave promised to marry him, for there seemed no other way of getting rid of him." This caused real laughter. La Slgno rlna relighted tbe tea lamp, and pres ently they were all talking together. They laughed quietly as they saw O'Mally gravely conducting bis charge to tbe gates He returned wltb Smith. Both were solemn vtsaged. "Well, noble concierge?" Inquired La 61gnorlna. "Why, you look as if you were tbe bearer of 111 tidings." "I am," said O'Mally. "What has happened?" asked Merrl hew. "Enough." said O'Mally laconically. He directed his next words to La SI- "1$ it dlihonorable for me to love yout" gnorlna. "Tou are sure of this friend of yours, the prlucess?" "Certainly." answered La Slgnorlna. ber astonishment Increasing. "She gave you the right authority?" "Absolutely," more and more aston ished. "Well, before I swing tbe thunder let me tell you something," said O'Mal ly. "I was in Florence s few days ago. I made some Inquiries. It was imper tinent I know. I Interviewed four or five botel concierges. Only one of them ever beard of tbe name. This concierge directed me to another, but as be spoke only Italian we could not make things fit. But when I men tioned tbe princess' nsme be laughed, as If something highly amusing bad bit blm. The main thing Is this, your princess has played us all rather a T J. F. Phone 70 Shabby trick. In the letter you revd to us In Venire she said that she bad never visited this villa." "Only In her youth." replied La Sl gnorlna. her brows drawing together In a from. "To the point at once." "It Is simply this. Our little Jig Is up." responded O'Mally. "Read these and see for yourself." He gave to ber a broad white envelope and a clipping from I .a Nazlone of the day before. She seized tbe clipping eagerly, but the eagerness died from her face quickly, leaving it pale and stony. The clipping fluttered to the ground. Her gaze passed from one face to another, a horror growing In her eyes. Slowly she picked up the envelope and drew out the card. "Tell me. what is It?" cried Hlllard. troubled. In answer she gave him the card. He read it. It was rather a knock. Now. why should the Trlncipessa dl Monte Blanca take It into ber head to pive a ball In the Villa Ariadne Wednesday week when she had loaned the villa Indefinitely to ber friend La Slgnorlna? fTO BE CONTINUED STRANAHAN & SLAVENS Contractors and Builders BSTIHATRS Fl'SNlSUID Phone 2S6M Hood River. Oreg-on W. O. ALDRED Contractor for Grading, Exca vating and Teaming Both Phones Oregon SmotLine and union Pacific ?STinE TABLE Effective Sunday, Jan. 16, trains will arrive and depart at Hood River, Oregon, on the following schedule: WEST BOUND No. 9. Fut Mail (no paaeenirers) M A. M. No. S. 8oo-8pokane-Portland 6:4 " No. 11. Portland Loral 7:4S " No. t. Oregon A Wuhinirton Express 7:SS No. 1. Portland Loral &40 P. If. No. 7. Portland Limited 5:45 " EAST BOUND No. 2. Pendleton Loral 10:25 A. M. No, 8. Chicago Limited 11:55 " No. 12. The Dalles Loral 5:45 P. M. No. 4. Soo-Spokane-rortland 9:09 " No. 10. Fast Mail . 9:10 " No. . Oregon A Wanhimton Expressions No. 8. No. 6 and No. T make no stops between Hood Rirer and Portland. No. 1 and No. 11 Mop at all stations. No. 4. No. 8 and No. 10 atop at The Dalle. Arl ington. Umatilla. No. 6 stops at Moeier, The Dalle. Celilo. Dea rhutea. Hia. Rufua, Arlington. Coyote. Irrigon. Vmatilla. Ilermiaton. 8tanneld. Echo. No. t stop at all stations between Portland and Pendleton. No. 12 atopa at all stathma between Portland and The Dalles. For further Information inquire at the ticket ,,m0 J. 11. I KEDRICY, Agent. F OU About That Lot You Want to build on this spring:, this will remind you that I have the best residence Jots in Hood River; also Industrial Sites $100.00 REBATE to the FIRST TWO BUYERS on Cascade Avenue. Who is going to take advantage of this offer ? BATCHELDER Temporary Office, 215 Cascade Well Drilling; DONE STAR WELL DRILLING OUTFIT FOR PARTICULARS ADDRESS APPLE LAND & ORCHARD COMPANY HOOD RIVER, OREGON Offict. No. 9 Oik Strut GET YOUR MILK FROM m The Payson Dairy Supply Co. MOUNTAIN GLEN FARM Pure, Wholesome, Healthful, from Cows and Stables that are SANITARY. H. N. PAYSON, City Salesman THOS. CALKINS, Dairyman Phone 28 1 -X t Stranahan & Clark Potash Nitrate of Soda Bone Heal Ready nixed Fertilizers, Lime, Don't Leave the WITHOUT Mosier Valley for similar land In other sretiona Buy now before speculators add their profits. Commercial Club of Mosier MOSIER. OREQON To Those Who believe in Patronizing Home Industry When you lay in your winter 8UjI y of Flour and Feed, ask for CUPID FLOUR :AND: HOMEMILLED FEED If your dealer does nt want ... to supply it, come to Us . . . CUPID IS STILL MADE FROM O1.0 WHEAT Koo3 Riser ITlift.ng Company ORGET Avenue jj HOOD RIVER, OREGON g Quick Successful Satisfactory WITH A Phones. 26 tr 2002-1 AVE Tankage Blood Heal Super Phosphate Kanit, Land Plaster, Cement. Hood River District INVESTIGATING atural advantages for fruit growing unexcelled. Land prices have doubled in but two rear but are not half that asked 6 Miles East of Hood River, Oregon
