Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-12-19

me with the guards rine and wounded
me. They will be after. me soon"
"Alos, son! This Is u bad bust.
ness"
The monk, as he said this. glanced |
nervously around, as II apprehensive
Of detection in thus succoring a pris. |
oner Of state who had escaped.
He put his hands under me and |
lifted me gently from the ground.
seemed to be but a child in his arms. |
Folding me across the back of his
mule, he easily mounted, and, speak.
ing To the ANNA, Nc were soon moy- !
ing up the mountain side.
We did not travel far in this way
perhaps quarter of a mile. Then
we had come to thick portion OF
the forest, and we were in rugged
mountain region. The monk had
been peering from side to side, as IL
in search of something, and suddenly
halted his mule before tall, white
harked tree that stood near the edge
of the road
81 thought I knew the place" he
tainly the tree"
Sliding from the saddle to the
ground, the monk took me in his
arms and carried me into tle forest.
He spoke to his mule and the animal
followed him.
He carried me carefully over rocks
and fallen trees and through seeming
| ly impossible places. He seemed to
know fully every foot of the uneven
ground. and to be looking for some
particular spot.
ALI" he exclaimed at last. 1T
is here. The soldiers of the prefetto
will have to work to find you here"
And you will not betray me,
father" l asked
May, l know full we'll the ease
with which the prefetto imprisons
falsely. You are safe here. And you
will be fed"
Il thank you, father" said, in
gratitude.
We had entered grotto. The air
inside was cool and sweet. l could
hear the murmur and ripple Of a
spring and mountain stream near by.
felt sense Of rest and security,
and my trust in the monk was firm.
Soon delicium set in.
was now at the circus and gazing
with wonder and admiration at Nita
Barlotti, the trapeZe queen, and at
Maubikeck, the lion tanner, in their
respective acts.
Then the visit to Ralph Gravis-
courts rooms and the discovery of
the photograph was as vivid in my
mind as on the day it actually &C.
CURED. And so on, | lived over and
over again tho stirring scenes of my
last days in New York, and the de-
parture of Maubikeck and myself on
the steamer.
And then the accident; Maubikeck
rushing into my room and carrying
me on deck: and there standing on
top of a wave, still in the glare of the
light from heaven, stood ,Maubikeck,
and above him, in red letters, SEEM
ingly of fire floating in the air, saw
the words, IF you are saved and
am not, save Nita from Maligni!"
was vaguely conscious of lapse
of time as / lived over these scenes.
I seemed to feel that some one was
near me. But knew nothing real.
There was nothing of actual life about
>. me.
Again fancied 1 heard the ripping
of a stream.
Again l thought that marble walls
surrounded nc. At first it seemed
that ! was in tomb. but gradually
consciousness came to me and
awoke. Tae bed of furs was my
couch; the grotto walls were above
me, An Odor of something came to
my nostrils family. turned my
head.
A fire was burning in the little
stove. By it, cigarette in his mouth
holding something over the Goals, sat
Mutterelli. He rose and looked at
ne.
"All right, signor," he said, in the
calm voice of man who knew what
he was doing and had been doing it
a long time. 1T will be ready in a
minute. A bit of toast and sip Of
wine will do you good. Keep still.
You are all right, signor."
"Mutterelli!" I whispered.
"Signor! You know mel" he cried.
Jesus be praised! You have long been
near death, but now you will be re.
stored to life. All, signor! How's
that?"
AS he said this he put a wooden
board before me, upon which was a
glass of wine and bit of white breast
of chicken and slice of toast. Moth.
ing that had ever eaten in Delmon-
ico's tasted half so good as that dain.
ty morsel in that hour Of my return to
earth.
Then closed my eyes and delic.
ious sense of rest stole over me, and
l fell asleep.
l slept long and sweetly, and awoke
much refreshed. Feeling strong,
raised myself on my elbow and looked
about. Squatting on low stool near
the opening of the grotto was Nut
terelli, smoking the inevitable cigar
cite, calmly pairing some potatoes,
the expression on his face being one
of utter content and placid happiness.
"Mutterelli!" I said in a whisper.
which was all the voice could raise.
Mutterelli laid down his knife and
came toward me.
"You called, signor," he said.
where is the monk?" I asked.
Mutterelli put his finger to his lips.
"Ynn are not to talk SipnOr" he