The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1905-08-31

AT last | was under the balcony.
There. where my foot was sure to
strike it, was a ladder. Selling it,
l braced one end of it against my foot
and placed the upper end carefully
against the balcony. Fortunately, l
made no noise. l crept up the ladder,
and. stepping onto the balcony.
crawled along until I reached that
window that Mutterelli had pointed
out to me as Nita's. l peeped in. My
heart beat faster. The girl sought
was before me.
tapped gently on the window.
Nita was clad in white. At my sig
nal she turned toward the window. l
stood where the light streamed full
upon me. Quickly stepping to the
window. she opened it.
"Ah! 1t is you. signor?' she said.
Eyes. it is T." l replied. surprised
at her calmness. "You expected me?"
Il expected-some one. One of my
masters servants secretly told me
that at nine o'clock a man would
come to speak to me. l thought it
would be Maubikeck. Where is he?"
Listen. signorina," said, speaking
quickly. in a low tone; 'the lion
tanner and l started from New York
on the same steamer. In midocean
we had an accident. The ship was
sunk. BY Maubikeck's heroism I was
put aboard a small boat and saved. He
placed upon me the duuy of rescuing
you from Maligni. l 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, her
eyes fixed upon me in horror.
Il do not say So. signorina." I re-
piled. ut is possible that he was
saved. l will tell you all when we
are safe from Maligni's clutch. To-
morrow is your wedding day"
Eyes, tomorrow" she said. ooh,
| will go! | 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. 1
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," I
said. I'VE must make haste"
Eyes, yes" she sad, Il will so.
Anything is better than to ne Ma
ligni's wife"
Il will return l said, my heart
full of pity for the girl, who was now
sobbing and weeping bitterly. 81 will
return o 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 a
lamp, by the light of which he was
reading some manuscript.
At his hand, on the table, stood a
red tin box. My heart leaped and
dashed against my ribs. Near the
box lay a golden trinket-a locket and
chain. A short distance away lay a
pima baby's clasp-pin.
He must have heard something. He
raised his head and sat in a 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
l felt the window. 1t was not fasten-
ed. Quickly l pushed it open and
stepped into the room. The gold
locket lay open, face up. CHANGING at
it, I saw that it contained a picture.
Selling it. l looked at it closely. My
brain seemed on fire. 1t was a minia-
ture facsimile of the photograph
which Dilkins had found in the rooms
of Ralph Graviscourt. In other words,
it might be the likeness of Charles
Graviscdurt's wife as she was many
years ago, or of Nita Barlotti as she
was at the very moment. The pin
had the name "Alice" engraved upon
it. Quickly selling these and the
paper, l thrust the locket and pin in
my trousers pocket and the paper in
the pocket of my coat.
Rushing from the room, I met, at
her window, Nita, pale-faced and tear.
stained, but nerved. to the effort OF
making her escape. She was enveI-
oped in a cloak.
Selzing her hand, l led her to the
ladder and helped her down. When
l reached the ground l drew the lad
der away.
Gomez" said. And, without a
word. she followed me.
Suddenly there was a cry.
Great %heayeE!" | exclaimed. "Ma.
ligni has returned and discovered
your escaped"
you will be killed, signor." said
Nita.
"And you?'
Il will be married! That is still
worse"
LET us hurry. They may not &C
able to catch us before we reach the
carriage. We may yet escape"
Keeping as well in the shadow as
possible, | led my beautiful companion
swiftly forward.
Suddenly there was a rushing sound
behind us. | knew that a pursue1