Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-12-05

heart beat faster, The girl ! sought
was before me. M
I tapped gently on the window.
Nita was clad In white. At my sig
nal she turned toward the window. I
stood where the light streamed full
upon me. Quickly stepping to the
window, she opened II.
"Ah! It is you, signorf" she said.
Eyes, 1t Is l." replied, surprised
at her calmness. "You expected me?
II expected--some one. One Of my
masters servants secretly told. me
that at nine o'clock man would
come to speak to me. I thought 1t
would be Maubikeck. Where Is he?"
Listen, signorina," said, speaking
quickly. in low tone; "the lion
tanner and started from New York
on the same steamer. In mid-Ocean
we had an accident. The ship was
sunk. BY Maubikeck's heroism ! was
put aboard small boat and saved. He
placed upon me the dur of rescuing
you from Maligni have not seen
Maubikeck since. He may be on his
way to you. Ho may be-
"Dead!"
She stood before me with her hands
pressed to her painting bosom, he-
eyes fixed upon me in horror.
II do not say so, signorina," ! re-
piled. 1T is possible that he was
saved. will tell you all when we
are safe from Maligni's clutch. To-
morrow is your wedding day."
Eyes, tomorrow" she said, "Oh,
I will go! must go! Maubikeck is
not dead! He cannot be dead! He
is too noble to die like that! oh, it
is terrible! Signor Wilberton, tell
me, do you think he IS dead?"
"Nita," said, Il cannot say. 1
fear and hope. Yet the chances are
that Maubikeck went down with the
ship"
She fell back, half fainting, but
recovered herself.
"Maubikeck! My love! My 1ove!"
she murmured. Dead! Oh, it is too
bitter!"
''You must be brave, signorina," I
said. "We must make haste"
eyes, yes" she sal1, II will so.
Anything is better than to De Ma
ligni's wife"
II will return" said, my heart
full of pity for the girl, who was now
sobbing and weeping bitterly. Il will
return soon. Be ready"
Leaving her, l stepped softly to the
other window.
In q large room, at a desk or table,
sat Pacho Maligni Near him was
lamp. by the light of which he was
reading some manuscript.
At his hand, on the table, stood .
red tin box. My heart leaped and
dashed against my ribs. Near the
box lay golden trinket-a locket and
chain. A short distance away lay a
pima baby's clasp-pin.
He must have heard something: He
raised his head and sat in listening
attitude. Then, laying the paper he
had been reading down upon the
table, he arose from his chair and
stepped hurriedly from the room.
Here was my opportunity. Deity
I felt the window. 1t was not fasten-
ed. Quickly pushed it open and
stepped into the room. The gold
locket lay open, face up. CHANGING at
it, saw that it contained picture.
Selling it, looked at it closely My
brain seemed on fire. 1t was a minia-
ture facsimile of the photograph
which Dilkins had found in the rooms
of Ralph Graviscourt. In other words,
it might be the likeness of Charles
Graviscourt's wife as she was many
years ago, or of Nita Barlotti as she
was at the very moment. The pin
had the name alice" engraved upon
it. Quickly selling these and the
paper, thrust the locket and pin in
my trousers pocket and the paper in
the pocket of my coat.
Rushing from the room, I met, at
her window, Nita, pale-faced and tear
stained, but nerved to the effort OF
making her escape. She was envel-
oped in q cloak. et .#
SEEING her hand, led her to the
ladder and helped her down. When
l reached the ground drew the lad
Ger away.
Gomez said. And, without a
word, she followed me.
Suddenly there was cry.
"Great heaven" exclaimed. "Ma-
ligni has returned and discovered
your escape!''
'.You will be killed, signor," said
Nita.
And your"
Il will be married! That is still
worse
LET us hurry. They may not IL
able to catch us before we reach the
carriage. We may yet escape"
Keeping as well in the shadow as
possible, led my beautiful companion
swiftly forward.
Suddenly there was rushing sound
behind us. T. knew that pursuer
was on our trail. I had, since reach
ing Cagliari, carried a revolver in my
pocket. seized this, resolving to sell
the liberty of Nita and myself as
dearly as possible. Turning, was
met face to face, with two stalwart
fellows, both armed. Before could
use my revolver, was knocked down
by blow from one of my assailants,
and my revolver was taken from me-
The guards shouted to Others, and
in less time than it takes to tell it a
dozen more were croWding around
US. They jabbered away in the Sar-
dinisn lingo, none Of which under
stood,