Evening star., 1897-01-16

The officer again saluted with infinite re-
spect. Was he not an officer of police and
l inspector of prisons and a general
scarce less than king to him?
l s'rolled to my rooms in strangely ex-
pectant frame of mind. 1 was about to
witness a curious sight-two self-accusers
for one murder. One lied-it was my bus
mess to discover which,
The two Dragons of my escort who were
on duty saluted as | entered. At the top OF
the stair l found Stephano, my orderly, in
a state of wild CONSERVATION. There was
talk of brigands in the town. he said and
] had not been seen since 4 o'clock But
comforted him with a cheerful word, and
told him that before supper there were
certain prisoners to be examined. He must
therefore, make such preparations as might
seem most impressive and official. So l
went to my bedroom and threw myself
down on the couch to think the matter
over.
Presently some one came and tapped gen.
tly at my door.
Who is there?" l cried.
1T is I. Stephano!' said the orderly,
All. Stephano, enter.''
Ihen the faithful one told me quickly that
all was ready-the man waiting the syn
die himself present. and the feet of the
guard VINO brought the woman already en-
the stair.
Stephano swiftly buckled on my sword
and threw the siken gen ais sash ever
my shoulder. Then he lrew his own
formally.
His most illustrious excellency, the
general!''
For Stephano magaifed his own Office
and, incidentally, mine also.
1t was a curious scene which I wit
messed when l entered the great room Of
the old palace, which in the troubles of
the great Napoleon had become the chief
inn of the sadly reduced city of Atrani.
My escort, all save the sentries at the
outer door, were disposed in full uniform
on either side CT the gloomy apartment A
long table stood in the midst with candles
and papers upon it, the latter for show
merely, being mostly regimental dockets
or Stephano and a few draft reports of
my own. The syndic had seated himself at
me SIDE OF the table, but at the brusque
announcement OF Stephano he had risen
and stood with bowed head while walked
10 the red-and-gold chair of state reserved
for me at the upper end of the room.
!hen, as they were bringing forward the
prisoner, Stephano came again to my side
and, unbuckiing the sword of honor which
the King had given me, ne laid it with in
mite dignity on the table in front of me
% are IN an Ill town, and among an
untrustWorthy folk, at once turbulent and
bandlt-rldden,' he whispered, as l moved
my hand impatiently. 1T is well to let the
cattle Know it when great man deigns to
come among Them
For Stephano was also of the north and
desplsed the canaille of the southeas stern
sea. -
looked up and saw Leo Perrone stand
ing al the end of the table furthest from
me. His hands were bound behind hin,
He looked on the floor but his face was
no longer as l had seen it, shaken with
emotion 1t was gray and stern rather
but very quiet withal.
Ihere came the tramp IF soldiers on the
stone STAIRS and a file of carabineri en-
tered with a woman 1t was Maria Per-
rone' the dark woman with the handsome
eyes whom l had seen in the morning
me mey Drought her to the table end and sat
hnc cl,o,
She glanced up and her ewes fell nno,
him. Aei "po-i
Leo she cried, fiercely. Leo! A pris
now?'' '1 "oiie
And she raised her arms and clasne1
ilm about the neck. The loose. coarse
prison sleeves fell back from the white
Ia rdnuea arms and saw her fingers clasp
anu kilt conVulsively behind the mans
heao. he turned his eyes toward her and
PAIN and love struggled together in bis
eyes. Ihe muscles of his arms twitchad
and drew like wire bell-pulIs as he struegiea
10 get ms arms free. But the steal wrist
bands held. "iis'-
Maria! Mother Maria! Beloved oner, No
said huskily, looking at her a moment
AND then, as she clung yet closer to hin,
ne pushed her gently away with a proud
little movement, as one who would saw.
Shame. shame beloved. This ia no time
ana no company for the showing of loyeI'
e,!1, But IN spite of these Maria Perrone.,wist-
look again at his wife, but as if IS dared
us US TO think Ill of it. he fronted us all de-
nantiy. and yet with a certain grimly
Watchful respectfulness which won upon
NE. f
Slowly the woman's hands unclasped
lne einseiVes as she noted the uneasy shrug
OF her husbands shoulders under her
touch: Her white arms grew suddenly lax
ana 1eil heavily to her sides. She faced
about looking at us one by one inouiringIv
l paused awhile before 1 spoke, turning
over In my mind how l should best arrive
at the truth.
You are guilty of this murder for which
you were condemned?" said to the wo-
man. "
am truly guilty Of the mans death! I,
Il know not Of what my husband is ac-
cused that he stands here bound; but as
God Is my Judge. of all part in the killing
cent?
l nodded and turned to her husband. The
woman's eyes were steady as truth itself.