The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-11-24

There is nothing to explain, signore.
l am Giuseppe Montanari, who was to
marry Rosetta Nicoli."
you have taken too much trouble,
nore-er-Montanari," Willis said,
insolently civil. "Stll, l am as yet in
the dark. Is this perhaps part of the
ceremony Of announcement"
Montanari's eyes cleaned. Il care
nothing for the signore's words" he
said; 1T is with what he has done
that | have to deal. Three months
ago Rosetta and we're happy in the
thought of passing our lives together.
She danced and sang the whole day
through. Now she weeps-she turns
from me-she will hear nothing OF
marriage. This owe to the signore.
The debt Is heavy"
Willis now moved uneasily. The
pathos of this statement, simply made.
planted a certain sting, and his mind
engaged In rapid reconstruction OF
the past accused him of cutting
poorer figure than he cared to admit
"Montanari," no said, upon my hon
or there has been no-wrong-only--
Il know that" interrupted the other
with passion, "else the signore would
not be standing there-aliye. Yet, he
mistakes-there has been wrong Ro-
| setta is spoiled for her own people
| her simple home She has become a
dreamer of dreams. The Mother OF
God knows how it will all end"
We'll, what are you going to Go?"
! Willis cried. Whats the use OF ban
dying words?" He had opened the
little penknife in his pocket, resolved
that his adversary should not go I'M
marked
1.-THE signore is at least brave
man. For one chance of life would he
swear to leave Rome?"
"And the chance?"
ITO cross, by the plank, to the other
side of the dome"
In spite of himself the young man
drew back. A sudden paralyzing fear
came over him Two boards had been
tied together by the workmen and fixed
across the opening in the dome. They
spanned an aperture nearly three hun
bred feet from the marble floor of the
church; and this was the bridge he
had been invited to traverse. To even
contemplate such passage seemed
suicidal.
Willis glanced down at the lights
gllmmering on an altar far below. AS
he looked, a procession of priests
crossed the nave, their chanting mel
lowed by distance. The sound recalled
him to the necessity of action; re-
stored his self-command. Turning, he
measured his antagonist with his eye
There was no reinsurance in the sight
Of the tigerish play Of those splendid
muscles, evident under the light, loose
clothing. A hand to hand struggle
with no weapon but penknife, against
that armed and supple strength. coulc
end in only one way. To appeal to the
workmen would be equally useless
Montanari would be upon him at thu
first call for help.
"This-chance," he said at length
with sarcastic emphasis. why do yol
give it?"
Montanari shrugged his shoulders
There may be many reasons. If
killed the signore he would not suffer
but to cross the dome so-eyen If on
arrives safely at the other side"
The pause was sufficiently eloquent
Then no continued: Perhaps it is m,
fancy; perhaps may not wish t.
commit murder"
Willis laughed unpleasantly in ap
I h
; irony.
Would you consider your hands clear
,, If | should take a header OFF tina
board?"
Montanari ignored the question
LET me urge the signore to hasten,
he said. at grows late. Every mo
ment the passage becomes more diff
ficult."
What guarantee have that 20
won't stick your knife under my rib
the moment turn my back?"
THAT is as the signorc pleases t
think. He has his choice, and he mus
take it-now."
81 suppose 1t makes no difference t
you whether leave Rome by the reg
ular route or by the gate of the Prot
estant cemetery"
"That also is as the signore pleases.
: Willis fingered the knife in his poch
: Ct After all-why not die like ma
! and not like a monkey capering on
tight rope. Yet-he hesitated; life
! dear at 23-and there was chanc,
I So, summoning all his resolution,
made his choice. setting his feet cat
!. tiously upon the narrow pathwa
where return was impossible. Stel
ping carefully. yet firmly, he was sui
: prised at the clearnoss Of his head, ii
evenness of his heart beats He coul
! not have been more at ease crossin
the floor below Thus he advance
nearly to the middle Of the plank
y There they were roughly wired t,
= gether and with the weight of h
Z body they began to sag. Feeling Il
= support give under his feet, he invo
= unfairly looked downward. There W;
70 an instant singing in his ears; clor