Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-07-21


you have taken too much trouble
Signore- Willis SAID
insolently civil Still, | am as yet i
the dark. Is this perhaps part Of tn
ceremony of announcement"
Montanari's eyes CLEANED. Il car
nothing for the signore's words, d
said; 1T is with what he has don
that | have to deal Three month
ago Rosetta and ! were happy in tn
thought of passing our lives together
She danced and sang the whole da,
through. Now she weeps-she turn
from me-she will hear nothing o
marriage. This l owe to the signore
The debt is heavy"
Willis now moved uneasily. Tit
pathos OF this statement, simply made
planted certain sting, and his mint
engaged In rapid reconstruction o.
the past, accused him of cutting
poorer figure than he cared to admit.
"Montanari," 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, be
misrakes-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 II win all end"
We'll, what are you going to fo7"
Willis cried What's 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 a 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 hum
bred 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
ON an altar far below. AS
he looked, 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, be
measured his antagonist with his eye.
There was no reinsurance in the sight
Of the tigerish play of those splendid
evident under the light, loose
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
lrst call for help.
"Thls-chance," he said at length, |
with sarcastic emphasis. Why do you
give it?'
Montanari shrugged his shoulders.
There may be many reasons. II |
titled the signore he would not suffer; |
)ut to cross the dome so-eYen If one |
arrives safely at the other side"
The pause was sufficiently eloquen-.
Then he continued: Perhaps it is my
ancy; perhaps | may not wish to
commit murder"
Willis laughed unpleasantly in APP
probation of the others possible
rony.
Would you consider your hands clean
should take a header of that
,oard?"
Montanari ignored the question
Let me urge the signore to hasten"
lie said. TT grows late. Every mo-
nent the passage becomes more diff
cult"
What guarantee have ! that you
yon't stick your knife under my ribs
he moment | turn my baek?"
THAT is as the signore pleases to
hink. He has his choice, and he must
AXE it-now."
Il suppose II makes no difference to
GU whether | leave Rome by the reg
lar route or by the gate of the Prot
slant cemetery"
THAT also is as the signore pleases."
Willis fingered the knife In his pock-
/. After all-why not die like a man
nd not like monkey capering on a
ght rope. Yet-he hesitated: life is
ear at 23-and there was a chance. /
o, summoning all his resolution, he
Iade his choice, setting his feet eau
ously upon the narrow pathway
here return was impossible Step
ing carefully, yet firmly, he was sur
rised at the clearness of his head, the |
7enness of his heart beats. He could
d have been more at ease crossing
lie floor below. Thus he advanced
early TO the middle of the planks.
here they we're roughly wired to-
ether, and with the weight of his
1dy they began to sag. Feeling the
lpport give under his feet. he invol-
ltarily looked downward. There was