The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-07-06

 to the threshold of our home?" "Ahl Pietro, you do not know me-" replied Stefana. "I am strange girl. l like to feel that am alone. You have just heard me ask our friends not to accompany us home, although con- trary to Corsican custom. You must take me just as am"
 "I adore you just as you are," answered the young man in a low voice "You know that well, you who for three months have commanded me with glance though l were A faithful dog If you wish to be alone, so be it. But to you are still alone, if you truly love and if your heart beats responsive to mine. Why, then do you refuse my arm? Do you already regret our marriage?" "No, certainly not "
 "Well, then walk with me as a wife walks with her husband, Stefsna, implore you! :"
 The young man approached her. With a brusque almost violent gesture, she waved him away. Pietro looked at her in surprise
 "What is the matter with you?" he asked, becom- ing suddenly anxious. He looked in her face, but could hardly distinguish her features. He only her naughty silhouette vaguely outlined in the shade of little clump of trees, whose branches overhung the road.
 There was a long silence. At last, without nov
 "Pietro," she said in clear voice. "do you recog- nize this placer"
 "What placer"
 "Ths spot where Domenico was killed '"
 The young man started.
 "Domenico2" he said. "lt was here? You know?"
 'You ought to remember the place since it was you who killed him."
 "I?"
 "Do not lie It was you"
 'Who has said SOP"
 "Domenico himself"
 ITO whom?"
 "To me- who received his last sigh"
 Pietro did not reply at once He crossed his arms over his breast and remained silent for mo- ment
 "Well, what more?" he said at last
 "What more :" replied Stefana. "Nothing. Is 1t necessary that should tell you what you know? loved Domenico. You knew that"
 "Yes; killed him because you loved him."
 "Then you also loved mel"
 ''My action has been the proof"
 "The proof. Did you hope to win my love by committing this infamy?"
 'Stefana, what are you saying2"
 "The truth. Domenico was assassinated"
 "It is false !"
 ''It is true! When he fell his knife was still in his belt"
 at is lie ]! for no knife was found on his body" "Might not some one have taken it2"
 ''Who?"
 "I. There it is,"
 With quick movement Stefana drew a knife from her bosom The steel blade, short and straight, glittered as she held it firmly.
 The young man clasped his head between his hands.
 "Am I dreaming2" he exclaimed in hoarse voice. "ls it you, Stefana, that speak to me? Let us nave done With thls. nat do you Wlsn!'
 "The punishment of your crime. Take this knife and kill yourself"
 "This is madness! '"
 "It is justice. You are there, before me- would wish to have you, mad with love and smart ing under my scorn. In order that Domenico may be avenged your despair must be complete your delusion has been. Until now you have hoped for everything Even now you put out your hands to clasp your dream. You are my husband, l am your wife, yet never were two beings separated by an abyss more profound. She whom you have just welded stands before you, with the knife of your victim in her hand, and says: 'Pietro, this blade thrsts for your blood. Take it and plunge it into your traitorous heartv"
 "Stefana, you are mad"
 "You refuse?"
 .sn-I.AC