The Yale expositor., 1902-08-22
NQuDikeCk. Ile Lion Toner.
By SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
Author Of Jack Robbins Of America" In the
China Sea" Two Gentlemen Of
Hawaii" Ca q Paiss
Charge" Ete.
osyrissr 1878. by nonrnr nossr,'. sos.
CHAPTER 40.


from the Garden. had directed the
driver 10 certain well-known hotel
much frequcnted by show people, and
knew where We were being taken.
But what Is this Malignis hold on
the signorina?" I asked. where does
he get his authority over her?'
Nlta shuddercd and crouched closer
to the stalwart frame OF Maubikeck.
He Is my master by my fathers
will" she sad in a voice that was
touching In its plaintiyc sweetness.
And your father was performer
like yourself was he not, signorina?
| said.
Yes will tell YOU about his
death when We reach my rooms"
One thing was certain: No matter
how severe. harsh or tyrannical
Maligni might be. he certainly was
not niggardly in regard TO Nita's com
fort Number li2 was but the first
OF a suite OF four rooms. one OF which
was parlor one n coy little dress.
ingroom. and the other two, bed
rooms, one for Nita and one for the
old bag who served her.
She stepped rather YEARLY, |
thought and sank into a chair be-
tween Maubikcck and me. resting her
head In her hands. as II she felt pain
In the temples.
| had taken my card from my card
case and handed IL 10 her.
"Signorina" I said. Il have become
interested In the mystery that seems
20 surround you. and beg YOU viii
allow me To assist you and MaubiSeck
I'm your efforts TO unrayel a. That Will
tell you who am,
Well Signor Wilbcrton,' she said,
twirllng the card In her hand, Il sin.
cerely thank you. am greatly I'M
nerved by what has occurred. and can
not understand a.. My life IS In dan
ger. and alone ! am unable TO combat
my unknown enemy
Now. sec here" I said. assuming
the authority OF a detective II saw
something tonight which will be OF
material interest and aid To US in this
matter. but 90 get at % right | must
know all about your life.
Nta passed her hand over her brow,
and. after a moment spent In thought,
began. remember little about my
mother. she was. as ! can see her
now, an ordinary womar-ot course,
an Italian. She died when ! was,
perhaps. seven years OF age. Then my
father took me % Madame De Long
school. and placed me berc as a
regular hoariing.scholar. Madame De
Longs school Is In Albany Ny life
there was very pleasant. / took con
siderable interest % my lessons. and
advanced rapidly When ! was four
teen. was suddenly called from Ma.
dame De Longs to hotel In Utica.
! remember 10 we'll 70 stood near tho
railroad. and I believe they called 81
Bags Hotel Baruum was In Utica
ON that DAY. and. as you know. my
father was Baruums principal traprza
performer.
ION this day. my father had grown
dizzy and had fallen from his Jrapeze
and had sustained injuries which. the
surgeon In attendance said. must
cause his death was taKcn az once
10 my fathers room. reached there
Just one hour before he died. Maligni
was with him when arrived. and
my father signined a desire FOR us
20 approach together. Ny father
spoke 20 Malignl In tongue | aid
not understand. have heard the
same language since. but cannot recall
enough OF what was said az that time
10 translate or 10 understand Then
my father put my hand in Mallgnis
and told me In our own language that
he was going 10 die. and hcnceforth
was Maligni's. Maligni would take
his place and would take care Of me.
remember that / sobbed a great deal
and kissed my father. and that a sur.
Eeon came and other men, and then
my father died. Maligni attended 10
everything. and had my fathers body
taken 10 Italy for burial lie took me
there also. never went back 10
Madame De Long 3. MalIgni Informed
me that under the terms OF the con.
tract by which he took me, was 10
MA tue Vlhit Vi my lhAhfE anu nHtone
an actress on the trapczc Oh. the
shame OF Il nearly killed mo, wept
and pleaded with him. but all 20 no
purpose. lie was not 10 be moved
by my tears or my prayers. and In
the house az which We lived he had
one room fitted up rs n training.room.
Here ! was compelled 10 go through
the seyercst kind OF physical training
10 perfect myself for the trapoze. AZ
FIRST ! refused 20 wear the tights. and
was severely logged. Maligni IS
cruel man. and would kill rather than
be thwarted. Well. you do not need
TO be told the details OF my hard life.
Suffice 10 say that after nearly four
years OF severe training. am before
the public In n role that / hate and
despise. But what can do? Maligni
Is my absolute master II I ran away
from him. he would capture me and
bring mo back to my degrading life.
What can I do9"