The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-08-25

making put little progress, out gTaQu-
ally becoming boloer and stepping
along at . livelier rate.
At last was under the balcony.
There, where my foot was sure to
strike 1t, was ladder. Selling 1t,
/ braced one end Of It 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 reached that
window that MutterelA had pointed
out to me as Nita's. peeped in. My
heart beat faster. The girl I 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.
Eyes, 1t is l." replied, surprised
at her calmness. "You expected me?"
'"I expected-some one One of my
masters servants secretly told me
that at nine o'clock man would
come to speak to me. thought it
would be Maubikeck. Where is he?"
Listen, signorina," said, speaking
quickly, in low tone; "the lion
tanner and I 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 q small boat and saved. He
placed upon me the duty of rescuing
you from Maligni. 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, he-
eyes fixed upon me in horror.
| Il do not say so, signorina," re-
| piled. 1T is possible that he was
saved. will tell you all when we
are safe from Maligni's clutch. To-
morrow is your wedding day."
"Yes, tomorrow" she said. "Oh,
will go! l 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," l said, Il cannot say. l
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 said, Il will go
Anything is better than to De Ma.
ligni's wife,"
II will return" said, my heart
full of pity for the GIRL who was now
sobbing and weeping bitterly. Il will
/ return soon. Be ready"
Leaving her. l stepped softly to the
other window.
In a large room, at a desk or table
sat Pacho Maligni. Near him was q
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 q golden trinket-a locket and
chain. A short distance away lay q
pin-a baby's clasp-pin.
He must have heard something. He
raised his head and sat in q 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 l pushed 1t open and
stepped into the room. The gold
locket lay open, face up. Glancing al
1t, / saw that it contained a picture
Selling it, I looked at 1t closely. My
| brain seemed on fire. 1t was q minia
ture facsimile OF the photograph
which Dilkins had found in the room.
, OF Ralph Graviscourt. In other words
It might be the likeness Of Charles
Graviscourt's wife rs she was man.
years ago, or of Nita Barlotti as sh,
! was at the very moment. The pil
| had the name "Alice" engraved upol
/ it. Quickly selling these and tn
paper, thrust the locket and pin Il
, my trousers pocket and the paper il
/ the pocket of my coat.
Rushing from the room. met, q
her window, Nita, pale-faced and teal
stained, but nerved to the effort o
making her escape. She was enve
oped In q cloak.
/ Seizing her hand, led her to tn
ladder and helped her down. Whel
reached the ground drew the lac
! der away.
"Come!" / said. And. without
word, she followed me.
| Suddenly there was cry.
"Great heaven!" exclaimed. "Ns
ligni has returned and discovere
your escape!'
aYou win be killed. signor." sal
Nita.
"And your"
Il T. ~k4