Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-04-24
greeted his uncle civilly. Maeari he

greeted his uncle civilly. Macari he
simply turned his back upon.
1t was no part of Ceneri plan that
any act of violence or restraint should
take place in the presence of Pauline.
Whatever was to be done should be
done when Anthony was about to leave
the house Then he might be seized
and conveyed to the cellar. his cries, if
needful. being stihed. Pauline was to
know nothing about it. Arrangements
had been made for her to go on the
morrow to friend of her uncle's, with
whom she was to stay, ignorant of the
purport of the business which suddenly
called the plotters away.
Pauline said Ceneri, Il think you
had better go to bed, Anthony and !
have some affairs to speak about"
Il will wait until Anthony leaves"
she said, ''but if you want to talk will
go into the other room"
So saving. she passed through the
folding doors and went to the piano,
where she sat playing and singing foI
her own amusement.
s.It is too late to talk about bushes:
tonight, said Anthony" as his sistet
left the room.
You had better take this opportu-
nifty. find must leave England to-
morrow.
Anthony having no wish to let his
uncle escape without an explanation,
reseated himself.
"Very well" he said; "but there is no
need to have strangers present
''They are scarcely strangers. They
are friends of mine, who viii vouch for
the truth of what l am going to say"
Il will not have my affairs talked
about before a man like that, said
Anthony, with motion of contempt
toward Macari.
The two men were converSing in o
low tone Pauline was not far OFF, and
neither wished to alarm her by high
words or by the appearance of a pend
ing quarrel; but Macari heard the re-
mark and saw the gesture. His eyes
blazed and he leaned forward toward
young March.
1T may be in few days." he said,
you will be willing enough to give me
freely the gift you refused a short time
ago"
Ceneri noticed that the speakers right
hand was inside the breast of his coat.
but this being favorite attitude of his,
thought nothing of it.
Anthony did not condescend to reply.
He turned from the man with look of
utter contempt-a look which, no
doubt, drove Macari almost beside him.
self with rage.
Before we talk about anything
else he said to his uncle, 4 shall in
sist that from now Pauline is placed
under my care. Neither she nor her
fortune shall become the prey of low
bred, beggarly Italian adyenturer like
this man, your friend.
These were the last words the poor
boy ever spoke. Macari took one
step toward him - he made no ex-
climation of rage-h1ssed out no oath
which might warn his victim. Grasped
in his right hand the long bright steel
leaped from its lurking place, and as
Antony March looked up, and then
threw himself back in his chair to avoid
him, the blow was struck downward
with all the force of that strong arm
the point of the dagger entering just
below the collar-bone, and absolutely
transfxing the heart. Anthony March
was silenced forever.
Then, even as he fell, Paulines song
stopped, and her cry of horror rang
through the room. From her seat at
the piano she could see what had hap
pened. Is it any wonder that the sight
, bereft her of her senses?
Macari was standing over his victim.
Ceneri was stupefied at the crime
which in moment had obviated any
necessity for carrying out his wild plot.
The only one who seemed in possession
of his wits was Petroff. 1t was I'M
perative that Pauline should be silenced.
Her cries would alarm the neighborS.
He rushed forward, and throwing a
large wooden sofa-cover over her head,
placed her on the couch, where he held
her by force.
At that moment l made my frantic
entrance-blind and helpless, but, for
all they knew, a messenger of ven
geance.
Even the ruthless Macari was stag
gercd at my appearance. 1t was Ceneri
who, following the instincts of self
preservation, drew pistol and cooked
it. 1t was he who understood the mean
ing of my passionate appeal to their
mercy-he who, he averred, saved my
life.
Macari, as soon as he recovered from
his surprise, insisted that | should share
Anthony March's fate. His dagger was
once more raised to take human life,
whilst Petroff, who had been forced by
the new turn of affairs to leave Pauline,
pinned me down where l had fallen.
Ceneri struck the steel aside and saved
me. He examined my eyes and vouched
was no time for determinations CT accu-
sations, but he swore that another MUIR
der should not be committed.
fro RE CONTINUED