The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-08-25
CHAPTER x

JtSpllc ilc SLibll6 NERVES. IllS dD-
ks3Rte confirmation of his worst fears
AZ 70 the woman he adores for a mo-
ment benumbs and dazes Barnes: but
after one gasping spasm of misery, he
directs hoarsely: Quick, some vessel
TO pursue these fiends."
As Graham departs on his errand, the
bereft bridegroom, whose face has
grown deviiish. mutters: BY Heaven,
there's a gentleman ia that house up
there / must see first" and darts up
the path to Lady Chartris' villa. re-
fleeing: Her fate l must not think
of That would unman me- My mind
must be clear to save my darling.
AS he reaches the door of the sup
per room. Lady Chartris' voice is say
ing in lanquid sentimentality: Dear
Count Cipriano. abate your interest in
your late brothers ward and have an
other glass of wine TO again toast the
bride"
At this Maud laughs: "Hurrah for
Mrs. Barnes of New York. Drink her
downi" And the clink of champagne
glasses seems TO the bereft like a fu-
neral knell to his wedding.
But the bridegrOOm's awful face as
he enters stops revelry. Maud gasps:
Holy poker" and stands affrighted,
her finger poked in her mouth. Marina
with a little shrek rises from a sofa
on which she has been seated beside
Cipriano Danella. and Edwin. spring
ing up, calculates: by hurricanes,
what's happened?"
In all his fears and all his agony, in
to the vengeful husbands mind as he
looks upon the party, one mighty con-
sidcration springs, that saves Danella' s
life: by Heaven, this mans remaining
here indicates his innocence. If Cipri-
ano had aught to do with the abduction
of my wife. he'd scarcely dare to stand
unconcerned here before me-" For the
Counts gaze is carelessly not turned
to him, but fingers admiringly upon
Marina, who, adorned by the white,
clinging gown she has donned for
Ends nuptial fete. is dazzling in girl
ish grace as we'll as superb in woman 5
beauty.
The easy bearing of Danela continues
as Barnes briefly tells his tale. though
once or twice he raises his thin Ital-
ian eyebrows and rolls his dark orbs
in sympathy.
Gods mercy. my sister," shudders
Edwin; but Marina, after one quick,
sharp sigh, closes her thin lips sharply
and listens eagerly.
"Dio milo, it is as I feared!" ex-
claims the Count sorrowfully. They
have seized your lovely BRIDE
"Oh. murder if they're drowning poor
Enid now" cries Maud, with a childish
morbidness.
This uncanny suggestion drives
Barnes frantic. IF they have harmed
her" The cOntorted features and
the steely eyes of the American indi-
cate his vengeance.
"Oh, / do not imagine any injury will
come Immediately to the young lady.
Lately, in the vendetta women who do
not bring about the tragedy are
spared" remarks Cipriano quite SYM
pathetically, though his glance rests
inadvertently upon Marina till her pas
sionate beauty seems to soften his aus
terity. But in Bocognano 1 imagine
they wish "A visit from YOU, Mr.. Barnes,
to rescue your bride" he continues dry
" You see. in Corsica, native jury
would much look more Ieniently than
q continental one upon the death of
the vendetta. That's only my sur
mise. but / am quite confident it's the
correct one"
The Americans face. which despite
A AnglO-SaxOn self-control is that of a
edem0n, becomes calmer; he says almost
anably: Thank you, Count. You have
told me just what I wanted to know
the location of my beloved One!" Then
his voice becomes strident; he remarks
grimly: your friends want a visit
from me in Corsica-they shall have
one" To this he ADDS eagerly: Dan
ella, come over with me to the
island
'Santo Gennaro, will not T." cries
Cipriano ecstatically.
For Heavens sake, don't venture!
Think of mel" shrieks Lady Chartris,
feebly but frantically.
Gee. ma is fainting for you," giggles
Maud frightenedly, as CiprianO alertly
catches Lady Chartris in his arms.
A kind of sardonic grin is on the
Counts face as he gazes at the half
TDr-rnr 10 hut
reaching the SVelte lOveliness of Marina
as she is clinging to her husbands arm,
he remarks philOsOphically: Mon cher
Monsieur Barnes though l would will
ingly aid you, it would not be wise to
go with you to Corsica Should Ill
befaH you in that island, you might
blame me, of whom you have already
had, I am sorry to say, suspicion. AS
] said before, my poor brother is dead,
I NEEDLE in this affair no more. l re-
main to soOthe the Lady Chartris in
Nice"
THANK Cod" calculates Prunella,
sentimentally seizing Danella's hand.
yes. I will stay" remarks the Count
heroicaIly.
Suddenly Marina startles them all
She says dominantly: No one should
go 10 Corsica but me. In the home OF
my fathers and my kindred-they will
believe me when I tell them there IS
no cause for a vendetta against my
friends. I can save your bride, dear
Burton, and bring her back to you My
words will have weight with all in Bo-
cognano.'
''Maledictione it would be most I'M
wisel" dissents Danella, shudderingly.
Have they not declared the vendetta
even against you, Marina? Does not
Bernardo Saliceti swear that you, by
your arts, produced the death of the
father Of the girl. Etheria. he is about
to marry, old TomassO Monaldf's daugh-
ter?"
"MonstrOuSi' cries the girl mournful-
" who dares to accuse me of the
death IF poor faithful TOmassO. my