The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-07-28
MQuDIkeCk, me u0liln|gT.
BY SEWARD w. HOPKINS,
Author Of Jack Robbins Of America .In the
China Sea- 1.-Two Gentlemen Of
=. Hawaii" ''On False
Charge" Etc.
Copyright, 1895, by Rournr poxsr.'s soss.
CHAPTER III.

Copyright, 1895, by EopERr BoNNEH's eoSs.
CHAPTER III.
Maubikeck, when we had started
from the Garden. had directed the
driver to a certain well-known hote
much frequented by show people. and
knew where we were being taken.
But what is this Maligni's hold on
the signorina?" asked. Where does
he get his authority over her?"
Nita shuddered and crouched closer
to the stalwart frame of Maubikeck.
i HE is my master by my fathers
will" she said in voice that was
touching in it's plaintive sweetness.
And your father was a performer
like yourself, was he not, signorina?'
I said
Yes I will tell you about his
death when we reach my rooms"
One thing was certain: No matter
how severe, harsh or tyrannical
Malgri might be, he certainly was
not niggardly in regard to Nita's com
fort. Number 112 was but the first
of suite of four rooms, one of which
was parlor. one 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 chair be-
tween Maubikeck and me. resting her
| head in her hands, as if she felt pain
in the temples.
| Ishad taken my card from my card
case and handed it 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 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
nerved by what has occurred. and can
not understand it. My life is in dan
ger. and alone l am unable to combat
my unknown enemy
Nov, see here l said. assuming
the authority of a detective, Il saw
something tonight which will 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: l remember little about my
mother She was, as l can see her
now, an ordinary woman-of course,
an Italian She died when = was,
perhaps, seven years of age. Then my
father took me to Madame De Long
school, and placed me there as a
regular boarding-scholar. Madame De
Longs school is in Albany. My life
there was very pleasant tooks con-
siderable interest In my lessons. and
advanced rapidly. When | was four
teen. | was suddenly called from Ma
dame De Longs to a hotel in Utica.
! l remember it we'll. 1t stood near the
railroad, and l believe they called it
| Baggs Hotel. Barnum was in Utica
on that day. and, as you Know. my
father was Barnum's principal trapeZe
performer.
| ION this day, my father had grown
dizzy and had fallen from mis- trapeze
ard had sustained injuries which. the
surgeon in attendance said. must
cause his death. l was taken at once
to my fathers room. l reached there
just one hour before he died. Malignf
was with him when l arrived. and
my father signified a desire for lis
spoke to Maligni in tongue did
not understand. l have heard the
same language since, but cannot recall
enough of what was said at that time
to translate or to understand. Then
my father put my hand in Maligni's
he was going to die. and ilenceforth
| was Maligni's. Maligni would take
his place and would take care of me
remember that l sobbed a great deal
ard kissed my father, and that sur
geon came and other men, and then
M father died. Maligni attended to
everything. and had my fathers body
taken to Italy for burial. He took me
there also. never went back tc
Madame De Longs. Malignl Informed
me that under the terms of the con
tract by which. he took me, was tc
fill the place of my father and become
an actress on the trapeZe. Oh. tne
shame of it nearly killed me. l weep,
and pleaded with him, but all to nc
purpose. He was not to be moved
b. my tears or my prayers. and il
tae house at which We lived he haG
one room fitted up as training-room
Here l was compelled to go through
the severest kind of physical trainins
to perfect myself for the trapeze. Al
first refused to wear the tights. ant
was severely logged. Maligni is 6
cruel man, and would kill rather thar
be thwarted. Well, you do not neet
to be told the details of my hard life
Suffice to say that after nearly foul
years Of severe training, am before
the public in a role that | hate anf
despise. But what can do? Malign
is my absolute master. If ran ava,