* * * * *

Alfonso Harris had come on to New York to spend a week of pleasure; already he had secured his ticket for Amsterdam via Antwerp by the Red Star Line.  He was prepared to keep his promise to Christine.  “To match gold with gold!”

In his rounds among the artists he happened to step into the Art Student’s League, and there learned that his old artist-chum, Leo, was in New York, and stopping at the Plaza Hotel.  At once he took cab, and, surely enough, there on the hotel register was the name Leo Colonna, Rome.  Alfonso sent up his card, and the waiter soon returned with the reply, “The marquis will see Mr. Harris at once in his rooms.”  It is needless to say that the marquis was both shocked and delighted to see alive a friend whom he supposed long ago dead.

After dinner Alfonso and Leo drove to their old club, and as ever talked and confided in each other.  Alfonso told the marquis the romantic story of his life, of his pecuniary success, and that he should sail in a few days to wed Christine, if possible.

The marquis hesitated in his reply, as if in doubt whether to proceed or not.  Observing this, Alfonso said, “Speak freely, tell me what you were thinking about.”

“Nothing, Alfonso, only a report I heard at the club last night.”

“What report, marquis?”

“A report or story concerning a beautiful widow, who had just arrived from Amsterdam.  From the minute description given—­she had fair face, blue eyes, fleecy hair and loved art—­I suspected that the woman in black might be Christine De Ruyter.”

“You surprise me, Leo, but what was the report?”

“Alfonso, pardon me, I have said too much already.”

“No, go on and tell me all.”

“Alfonso, since the report is concerning a woman’s character, my lips should be sealed, and would be, except you my friend are the most interested party.  The club story is that a handsome young officer, who left his newly wedded wife in Bristol, England, was so much enamored of the charming widow aboard ship that suspicions were aroused, and in fact confirmed, by an additional report that valuable diamonds had been sent by the same officer from Tiffany’s to the lady, who is stopping somewhere on Central Park.  There, Alfonso, I have given you the story and the whole may be true or false.”

It was now Alfonso’s turn to be shocked; he could not believe what the marquis had told him.  Next day he visited the office of the American Line, found that Christine De Ruyter was a passenger on the last steamer, and the purser gave him her New York address.  Then the marquis volunteered to call, in Alfonso’s interests, upon Miss De Ruyter who seemed glad to see him, and was amazed with the story which he had to tell, not only of himself, and his good fortune, but that of Alfonso.  That the latter was alive and wealthy was news almost too good to believe.

The marquis reported to Alfonso that Christine was overjoyed to have a bygone mystery so fortunately cleared up, and that she sent him an urgent invitation to call at once.