The Holly chieftain., 1903-01-23
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BY SEWARD w. HOPKINS.
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ctsAPTgR III
Manbikeck. when We had started
from the Garden. had directed the
driver to . certain well-known hotel
much freauented by show people. and
knew where We were being taken. ;
"But what is this Naligni's hold on
the signorina?' asked. Where does
he get his authority over herr"
Nita shuddered and crouched closer
to the staiwart frame Of Maubileck.
"He u my master BY my fathers
WILL" she sad in . voice that was
touching In its plaintive sweetness.
"And your father was performer
like yourself. was he not signorina"
I said.
yes will tell you about his
death when We reach my rooms"
One thing was certain: No matter
how severe. harsh or tyrannical
Nalisni might be. he certainly Was
mot nigEardly In regard to NitA's COM
fort. Number III was but the first
Of suite Of four rooms. one Of which
was = parior, one \ coy little dress-
ingroom, and the other two, bed
rooms, one for Nita and one for the
old hag who served her.
She stepped rather wearily,
thought, and sank into . chair be-
tween Maubikeck and me, resting her
head In her hands, Is II she felt pain
in the temples.
had taken my card from my card
case and handed 1t to her.
"Signorina," l said, Il have become
interested in the mystery that seems
to surround you. and beg you will
allow me to assist you and Maubikeck
In your efforts to unravel 1t. That will
tell you who am"
well. Signor Wilberton." abe said.
twirling the card in her hand, II sin
cerely thank you. I am greatly un-
nerved by what has occurred. and can
not understand 1t. My life il In dan
ger. and alone am unable to combat
my unknown enemy"
''Now. see here" I said, assuming
the authority of detective, Il saw
something tonight which viii be Of
material interest and aid to US in this
matter, but to get at it right, must
know all about your life.' &
Nita passed her hand over her brow,
and, after . moment spent in thought,
began: ! remember little about my
mother. She was, ~ can see her
now, an ordinary woman-of course.
an Italian. She died when was.
perhaps, seven Year, Of age. Then my
father took me to Madame De Longs
school, and placed me there - 4
regular boardingscholar. Madame De
Longs school Il in Albany. My life
there was very pleasant, took con-
siderable interest In my lessons. and
advanced rapidly. When I was four
teen, was suddenly called from Ma
dame De Longs to hotel in Utica
1 remember it well. It stood near the
railroad, and believe they called 1t
Baggs Hotel. Barnum was In Utica
on that day. and. as you know. my
father was Barnum's principal trapeze
performer.
''0n this day. my father had grown
dizzy and had fallen from his trapeze,
and had sustained injuries which. the
surgeon In attendance said. must
canse his death. was taken at once
to my fathers room. reached there
just one hour before he died. Maligni
was with him when arrived, and
my father signined desire for NJ
to approach together. Ny father
spoke to Aaligni in . tongue I did
not understand. have heard the
same language since. bnt cannot recall
enough Of what was said at that time
to translate or to understand. Then
my father put my hand in Maligni's
and told me In our own language that
he was going to die. and henceforth
was Maligni's. Maligni would take
his place and would take care OF me.
l remember that sobbed great deal
and kissed my father, and that sur
geon came and other men, and then
my father died. Maligni attended to
everything. and had my fathers body
taken to Italy for burial. He took me
there also. never went back to
Madame De Longs. Malignt informed
me that under the terms Of the con-
tract by which he took me, l was to
I'LL the place Of my father and become
an actress on the trepeze. Oh, the
shame Of 1t nearly killed me! wept
and pleaded with him. but all to NO
nurnosA He Was mot IN ho u,ovad