The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-08-25

oily ooComlnS OOIuer ana stepping
along at livelier rate.
At last l was under the balcony
There. where my foot was sure tc
strike 1T, was ladder Selling L.
braced one end of it against my foo,
and placed the upper end carefully
against the balcony! Fortunately,
made no noise. l crept up the ladder
and. stepping onto the balcony
craWled along until | reached that
window that Muttereli had pointed
out to me as Nitas. l peeped in. My
heart beat faster. The girl l sought
was before me.
l 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 stopping to the
window, she opened it.
"Ah! 1t is you. signor?" she said
Eyes. it is t. 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 man would
come to speak to me- l thought it
would be Maubikeck. Where is he?"
Listen. signorina." said. speaking
quickly. in low tone: ''the lion
tanner and started from view York
on the same steamer. In mid-ocean
we had an accident. The ship was
sunk. BY Maubikeck's heroism | was
put aboard small boat and saved. He
placed upon me the dut.' of rescuing
you from Maigni. 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, signorna," 1 re.
piled 1T is possible that he was
saved. | will tell you all when we
are safe from Maignis clutch To-
morrow is your wedding day"
Eyes, Tomorrow" she said ,"Oh,
will go! Il must go! Maubikeck is
not dead He cannot be dead: He
is too noble to die like that! Oh. it
is TERRIBLE Signor Wiberton, tell
me. do you think he IS dead?"
Mia" | said. II cannot say. I
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
bitler."
You must be brave. signorina," l
said. I'VE must make haste
Yes, yes" she sad, Il will so.
Anything is better than to De Ma
lisni's wife
Il will return" l said, my heart
full OF pity for the girl. who was now
sobbing and weeping bitterly Il will
return soon. Be ready"
Leaving her, | stepped softly to the
other window
In large room, at a desk or table,
sat Pacho Maligni. Near him was a
lamp, by the light of which he was
IEduIuS SOlut ludUilScTlDt.
At his hand, on the table. stood a
red tin box. My heart leaped and
dashed against my ribs. Near the
box lay 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
felt the window. 1t was not fasten-
ed. Quickly | pushed it open aud
stepped into the room. The gold
locket lay open. face up. CHANGING at
it, saw that it contained picture,
Selling it, 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 Gravisconrt. In other words,
it might be the likeness of Charles
GraviScOllrt's wife as she was many
) car > ago, VI vi MIA bdFlOttl as she
was at the very moment. The pin
had the name Alice" engraved upon
it. Quickly selling these and the
paper. | thrust the locket and pin in
my trousers pocket and the paper in
the pocket OF my coat.
Rushing from the room. l met. at
her window. Nita, pa!e-faced and tear
stained. but nerved to the effort OF
making her escape. She was enyel-
oped in a cloak.
Seizing her hand. led her to the
ladder and helped her down. When
reached the ground | drew the lad
der away
Come" | said. And, without a
word. she followed me- ...
Suddenly there was a cry.
Great heaveE!' | exclaimed. "Ma-
ligni has returned and discovered
your escape!"
You will be killed, signor." said
Nita.
And you?"
Il will be married. That is cti]i