Willmar tribune., 1908-04-29
CHAPTER XII.
The Mountain Chalet.


Forced to more moderate pace, the
&wo journey up the winding road be-
tween some cornfields made red by
2oppies. Soon after they pass into
Che wooded hill lands, their path bor-
dered by myrtles and arbutus.
After a little, the way grows wild.
er, the hills much sleeper, and climb
ing the lofty Cole di San Antonio they
can look down upon hill vistas, beauti-
fully wooded, that descend to the dis
cant sea. In the sunlit CLEAN of the
far-off water, Barnes, using his field
glasses, sees the yacht lying alone at
anchor. Graham has sent back the
fishing smack" he says.
Then thank the Virgin" cries Ma
,ina, another letter is going to my
Husband telling him his disobedient
wife is trying to save his sister,"
They descend sharply into the little
valley of the Liamone, and enter the
village of Vico, whose inn is now vel.
coming the first summer visitors from
Ajaccio.
Here Marina says: "'Twould be
wrong if l sent not telegram to my
anxious spouse" So they dismount at
the little telegraph Office peculiar to
Corsican villages. AS they slip in, a
countryman slouches out and mount.
ing horse rides off up the main
street. Her message dispatched, Ma
rina coming from the Office, says:
How hurriedly that fellow went
away
You think he was looking for u.s.?
asks Barnes, as he places her on her
pony.
Perhaps; Bernardo is astute. He
may guess that his message to YOU
brought you after him by water and
that you would find the yacht"
Then after him." says Burton, and
turning more to the east they follow
a rapid stream, passing the Sulphur
Baths of Guagno, where they can see
the diligence depositing patients at its
hospital for rheumatics.
They have not Overtaken the man,
but no one has passed them on the
road, their pace has been so rapid. The
peasants they have seen, so many OF
them carrying guns that Barnes thinks
he is in the Rocky Mountains, have
received the usual greetings in the
patois of the country from Marina, her
escort wisely keeping his sombreru
pulled down over his eyes and saying
nothing. But now farmer, pausing
says: Girl, you and your man had bet
ter not go beyond Guagno. Last night
the two accursed bandits, Rochini and
his mate, killed Nicolo, the sheen
grower, up at his house by the lake
and carried off his daughter"
Thank you for your advice" an
swers Marina politely. She glances al
Barnes, but he scarcely heeds. He is
urging his pony toward the mountain
pass through which Enid must now
be journeying.
. Who is this Rochini?" asks Barnes
to take Mrs. Anstruther's thoughts tc
happier things.
He and his fellows are the only
bandits of which Corsica is not proud,
answers the girl, savagely. "This
wretch with his underlings murders
men for money. Other bandits only
kill for hate or to escape capture by
the gendarmes. Also this Rochin
drags shrieking women to his lair
while other bandits doff their hats tt
ladies'"
Then as they ride along the Cor
sican girl gives Mr.. Barnes some curl
Gus information about bandits.
This murderous Rochini is not o1
our commune; he has been driver
from Rotondo by the farmers because
OF his outrages and came over to De
Oro,' she remarks, excitedly. "Oul
own Bocognano bandits, the brave
Bellacoscia," Marina's tone is proud
whose family name is Bonelli, only
fled to the mountains to escape pur
suit from our cruel gendarmes, be
cause, forsooth, the elder Antonio kill
ed Marc Angel, who dared to marry
the girl upon whom he had set his
heart. The younger, Giacomo, because
he would not endure the French con
; scription, so he slew the brigadier and
his men who came to arrest him. Still
Antonio Bonelli, when the Teutons ov
crran France, offered to go over and
fipht the German Won MO1tko with ~.