The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1904-12-09
t.vyr,ghs, 1895, BY BoBxnr BosSxa's soHs.
CHAPTER ~.

driver TO CeTldlu WcilhuoWA hoeSi
much frequented by show people, and
Iknew where we were being taken.
"But what is this Maligni's hold on
tbe signorina" I asked. Where does
he get his authority over herr"
Mia shuddered and crouched closer
n the stalwart frame Of Maubikeck.
HE is my master by my fathers
will" she sad in a voice that was
touching in its plaintive sweetness.
"And your father was a performer
like Yourself, was he not, signorina?'
| said.
"Yes- will tell you about his
death when we reach my rooms"
One thing was certain: No matter
how severe, harsh or tyrannical
Maigni might be, he certainly was
not piggardly in regard to Nita's com.
FORT Number l12 was but the first
of suite of four rooms, one of which
was parlor, one a coy little dress
ing,room, and the other two, bed
rooms, one for Nita and one for the
old bag who served her.
She stepped rather YEARLY, /
thought, and sank into a chair be-
tween Maubikeck and me, resting her
head in her hands, as If she felt pain
in the temples.
I had taken my card from my card
case and handed 1t to her.
"Signorina," l said, II 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 it. That will
tell you who am"
well, Signor Wilberton," she said,
twirling the card in her hand, Il sin.
cerely thank you. ! am greatly I'M
neryed by what has occurred, and can
not understand it. My life is in dan
ger, and alone am unable to combat
my unknown enemy"
Now, see here" I said, assuming
the authority of a detective, II saw
something tonight which will be OF
material interest and aid to us in this
matter, but to get at it right, l 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, as I can see her
now, an ordinary woman-of course,
an Italian. She died when I was,
perhaps, seven years of age. Then my
father took me to Madame De Longs
school, and placed me there as a
regular boarding-sc scholar. Madame De
Longs school Is in Albany. My life
there was very pleasant, took con.
siderable interest IN my lessons, and
advanced rapidly. When was four.
teen, I was suddenly called from Ma
dame De Longs to hotel in Utica.
/ remember 1t well. It stood near the
railroad, and I believe they called 1t
Bags Hotel. Barnum was in Utica
on that day, and, as you know, my
father was Barnum'e principal trapeze
performer.
"On this day, my father had grown
dizzy and had fallen from his trapeze,
and had sustained injuries which, the
surgeon in attendance said, must |
cause his death. was taken at once
to my fathers room. reached there
Just one hour before he died. Maligni
was with him when I arrived, and
my father sigrified q desire for us
to approach together. My father
spoke to Maligni in tongue l did
not understand. have heard the
same language since, but cannot recall
enough Of what was said at that time
10 translate or to understand. Then
my father put my hand In Mallgni's
and told me in our own language that
ne was going to die, and nencerorth
was Maligri's. Maligni would take
lis place and would take care Of me-
remember that sobbed a great deal
md kissed my father, and that sur.
seon came and other men, and then
ny father died. Maligri attended to
everything, and had my fathers body
AIKEN to Italy for burial. He took me
here also. I never went back to
Madame De Longs. Malignl informed
ne that under the terms of the con.
ract by which he took me, was to
III the place Of my father and become
n actress on the trapeze. Oh, the
hame Of 1t nearly killed me! wept
nd pleaded with him. but all to no
purpose. He was not to be moved
y my tears or my prayers, and in
he house at which we lived he had
ne room fitted up as training-room.
lere l was compelled to go through
he severest kind Of physical training
D perfect myself for the trapeze. At
rst refused to wear the tights, and
'as severely flogged. Maligni is
ruel man, and would kill rather than
o thwarted. Well, you do not need
be told the details of my hard life.
uffice to say that after nearly four
ears Of severe training, am before
ne public in a role that hate and
espise. But what can do? Maligni
my absolute master. II ran away
rom him, he would capture me and
ring me back to my degrading life.
What can I do?"