The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1902-09-25


strike it, was a ladder. SEEING it,
Draced one end Of it against my foot
ana placed the upper end carefully
against the balcony Fortunately.
maze no noise L crept up the ladder,
and, stepping onto the balcony,
crawled along until L reached that
window that MutterelH had pointed
out to me as Nita's. 1 peeped in MY
heart beat faster. The girl 1 sought
was before me.
tapped gently on the window.
Nita was clad in white At nv sig
nal she turned toward the window. l
stood where the light streamed full
upon me- Quickly stepping to the
window, she opened it.
An! 1t is you, signor2' she said
Yes. it is II 1 replied, surprised
at her calmness. You expected me?s
4 expected one. one of nv
masters servants secretly told me
that at nine o'clock a man would
come to speak to me. I thought it
would be Maubikeck- Where is hep
Listen, signorina,' I said, speaking
quickly, in a low tone; ftthe lion
tanner and I started from New York
on the same steamer. In mid-Ocean
we had an accident. The ship was
sunk By Maubikeck's heroism 1 was
put aboard a small boat and saved He
placed upon me the dut-- of rescuing
you from Maligni. I have not seen
Maubikeck since. He may be on his
way to you. He may be"
@-DeadI''
She stood before me with her hands
pressed to her painting bosom, he-
eyes fixed upon me in horror
I do not say SO, signorina" 1 re-
Piled 1t is possible that he was
saved 1 will tell you all when we
are safe from Malignis clutch. To
morrow is your wedding day.
Yes, tomorrow she said. ooh,
7 Xxyi1 ct
not dead! He cannot be deadi He
IS too noble to die like that! Oh, it
IS terrible! Signor Wilberton, tell
me, do you think he IS dead?"
Mia L said, Il cannot say
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
bitteri''
You must be brave, signorina,"
said I'VE must make haste"
Yes, yes she said, 81 will go.
Anything is better than to be Ma
lights wife,
II will return" I said, my heart
full of pity for the girl, who was now
sobbing and weeping bitterly. 81 will
return soon. Be ready
Leaving her, 1 stepped softly to the
other window.
In a large room, at a desk or table,
sat Pacho Maligni. Near him was a
lamp, by the light of which he was
reading some manuscript.
AT his hand, the table stood q
red tin box My heart leaped and
dashed against my ribs. Near the
box lay golden trinket-a loclzet 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 a 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 I pushed it open and
stepped into the room. The gold
locket lay open, face up. CHANGING at
it, I saw that it contained a picture
Selling it, looked at it closely NV
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, 1 thrust the locket and pin in
my trousers pocket and the paper in
the pocket of my coat
Rushing from the room 1 met. at
her window, Nita, pale-faced and tear
stained, but nerved to the effort of
making her escape She was envel-
oned in cloak.
Selling her hand, 1 led her to the
ladder and helped her down. When
1 reached the ground drew the lad
der away.
Comet" I said And, without a
word, she followed me-
Suddenly there was cry
Great heavenl' I exclaimed. Ma
igni has returned and discovered
your escapei''
Nita
And your
7 viii be married, That is stin
worse
Let us hurry They may not e
able to catch US before we reach the
carriage We may yet escape
Keeping as we'll in the shadow as
possible, led my beautiful companion |
<1x- RI