The Holly chieftain., 1903-02-20

the danger Of my situation, and was
prepared to receive at any minute .
summons from the guard. The
thoughts of Edith and my promise to
the hero, Maubikeck, .nerved me, and
l gradually grew more calm.
Suddenly the bell of the monastery
slowly and solemniy rang out upon
the night air, and saw shifting
lights about the villa, which indicated
the movements of the guard. :.
Cautiously slipped from my hiding
place and hurried to the gate and
through 1t. The path to the house
was bordered with trees. In the
shadow Of these crept along, at first
making but little progress, but gradu-
ally becoming boluer and stepping
along at a livelieE rate.
At last was under the balcony.
There, where my foot was cure to
strike 1t, was ladder. Selling 1t,
braced one end of 1t against my foot
and placed the upper end carefully
against the balcony. Fortunately,
made no noise. crept up the ladder.
and, stepping onto the balcony.
crawled along until 1 reached that
window that Mutterelli had pointed
out to me as Nitas. peeped in. My
heart beat faster The girl sought
was before me.
tapped gently on the window.
Nita was clad In white. At my sig
nal she turned toward the window.
stood where the light streamed full
upon me. Quickly stepping to the
window, she opened it.
"Ah! 1t is you, signor" she said.
"Yes, it is l." replied, surprised
at her calmness. You expected me?"
Il expected-some one. One of my
masters servants secretly told me
that at nine o'clock a man would
come to speak to me. l thought it
would be Maubikeck. Where is he?"
Listen. signorina," said, speaking
quickly. in a low tone; "the lion
tanner and started from New York
on the same steamer In mid-ocean
we had an accident. The ship was
sunk. BY Maubikeck's heroism l was
put aboard small boat and saved. He
placed upon me the duty of rescuing
you from Maligni. l have not seen
Maubikeck since. He may be on his
way to you. He may be-"
"Dead!"
She stood before me with her hands
pressed to her painting bosom, her
eyes fixed upon me in horror.
Il do not say SO, signorina," re-
piled. ut is possible that he was
saved. l will tell you all when we
are safe from Malignis clutch. To-
morrow is your wedding day"
Yes. tomorrow" she said "Oh,
I will go! must go! Maubikeck is
not dead! He cannot be dead! He
is too noble to die like that! oh, it
is terrible! signor Wilberton, tell
me. do you think he IS dead?"
"Nita," said. Il cannot say. I
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 love!"
she murmured. Dead! Oh, it is too
bitter!"
you must be brave, signorina," /
said. I'VE must make haste"
"Yes. yes," she sad. 81 will go.
Anything is better than to ne Ma
ligni's wife"
II will return" said. my heart
full OF pity for the girl. who was now
sobbing and weeping bitterly. II will
return soon. Be ready"
Leaving her, stepped softly to the
other window.
In a large room. at desk or table,
sat Pacho Maligni. Near him was
lamp. by the light of which he was
reaoing some manuscript.
At his hand, on the table, stood q
red tin box. My heart leaped and
dashed against my ribs. Near the
box lay golden trtnket-a locket and
chain. A short distance away lay
pima baby's clasp-pin.
He must have heard something. He
raised his head and sat In 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 pushed It open and
stepped into the room. The gold
locket lay open. face up. Glancing at
1t, saw that 1t contained picture.
Selzing 1t. looked at It closely. My
brain seemed on fire. 1t was a minia.
furo lfacoSmiId ~ <ho, nko%z-S