The Colfax chronicle., 1903-10-24

Z
stirring-or--" The gesture was sig
nificant.
Il understand. No need to illus
trate," saiG Willis. Besides there's
nothing in my pockets, but the snail
change l keep for your compatriots.
Now. if you will be good enough to
explain"
There is nothing to explain, signore.
l am Giuseppe Montanari, who was to
marry Rosetta Nicoli."
"You have taken too much trouble,
Signore-er-Montan Willis said,
insolently civil. "Still. l am as yet In
the dark. Is this perhaps part OF the
Q5emony of announcement"
<2Montanari's eyes cleaned. Il care
nothing for the signore's words, ne
said; "it is with what he has done
that l have to deal. Three months
ago Rosetta and l were happy in the
thought of passing our lives together.
She danced and sang the whole Gay
through. Now she weeps-she turns
from me-she will hear nothing of
marriage. This I owe to the signore.
The debt is heavy"
Willis now moved uneasily. Inc
pathos of this statement, simply made.
planted certain sting, and his mind
engaged in rapid reconstruction OF
the past, accused him of cutting
poorer figure than he cared to admit.
"Montanarf," he 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-alive. Yet, he
mistakes-there has been wrong. Ro-
setta is spoiled for her own people
her simple home She has become
dreamer of dreams. The Mother OF
God knows how it will all end
well, what are you going to DOR
Willis cried. Whats the use of BAN
dying words?" He had opened the
little penknife in his pocket, resolved
that his adversary should not so un-
marked.
"The signore is at least brave
man. For one chance of life would he
swear to leave Rome?"
And the chance?"
"To 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 workmcn and fixed
across the opening in the dome. They
spanned an aperture nearly three hum
dred feet from the marble floor OF the
church; and this was the bridge he
had been invited to traverse. To even
contemplate such a passage seemed
suicidal
Willis glanced down at the lights
glimmering 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, could
end in only one way. To appeal to the
workmen would be equally useless.
Montanari would be upon him at the
first call for help
"This-chance." he said at length,
with sarcastic emphasis. why do you
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-even if ons
arrives safely at the other side"
The pause was sufficiently eloquent.
Then he continued: Perhaps 1t is my
fancy; perhaps. may not wish to
commit murder"
Willis laughed unpleasantly in APP
probation of the others possible
irony.
Would you consider your hands clean
il l should take header off that
board?"
Montanari ignored the question.
Let me urge the signore to hasten"
he said. "It grows late. Every mo-
ment the passage becomes more dif-
ficult"
what guarantee have l that you
won't stick your knife under my ribs
the moment turn my back?"
THAT is as the signore pleases to
think. He has his choice, and he must
take it-now."
81 suppose it makes no difference ia
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 pock-
ct. After all-why not die like a man
and not like a monkey capering on a
tight rope. Yet-he hesitated; life is
dear at 23-and there was chance.
So, summoning all his resolution, he
made his choice. setting his feet eau
tiously upon the narrow pathway
where return was impossible. Step
ping carefully, yet firmly, he was sur
prised at the clcarness of his head, the
evenness of his heart beats. He could
not have been more at ease crossing
the floor below. Thus he advanced
nearly to the middle of the planks.
There they were roughly wired to-
gether, and with the weight of his
body they began to sag. Feeling the