The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-21
CHATTER XIII. sTf ' Gould Ouly Tru.t yeu.p

' 70 tell me whether Masita was alive or mat the desperate Greek had carried out her murderous purpose. wre among the most terrible of my life. The sus- pense searched me through and through. I stood like man turned to stone; powerless to move. unable to fear. VI Slowly rage began to take the pIaee or Tear. Rage against the fiend who mad taken Masita's life She should pay the price. That vowed if had 10 take her life in return with my own hands. And then my blood turned to fire. and I clenched my hands and grftted my teeth in the fierce yearn- Ing for revenge.
 Suddenly the spell was broken. woman laughed. A laugh. soft. low. taunting. devilish, inspired bv sioating triumph and pregnant with venomous hate
 How welcomed that laugh! For # told me that Masita lived. | IL was from Agapa; and the next in stanf was at the entrance of Masita' s room The door stood ajar; and as I reached it. Agapa spoke. Aye pray with all your soul and strength. It will not help you now. l told you you should die as I swore to the man you have bewitched. You Sne devil. But your prayers touch me no more than your craven pleading did just now.'
 understood then that, dangerous as she was. the Greek was yet too much of a woman to resist the chance of sloat- | Ing over the woman she hated. Her taunts had saved Masita's life; for they had given me time to come to the scene.
 A1apa wa. s4.nS,1.- IA upiifted. and from her attitude. judx- ed that Masita, whom could not see, was on her knees in prayer close be- side her; and for the moment I was in l doubt how to act. If rushed in the weapon might be thrust home, for Agapa was facing the door and would see me the instant I entered. l held my breath a second in sus- pense, and then the Greek moved back pace and turned to pick up q cru- cinx from table close by. It-was my chance. I sprang across the room and before she had recovered from her surprise, I had wrested the dagger from her hand. Masita jumped to her feet at the same moment and after swift glance at me. fell into a chair. For a moment in her baffled fury I believe Agapa was inclined even to risk a struggle with me. She stared at me, ner eyes gleaming viciously, and her lips parted with her disnguring snarl 1 like wild beast robbed of its prev.
 ''You had better go. Agapa," I said. You will answer for this afterwards. |" She kept her eyes on me and came forward step, half crouching, as if ready to spring at me. You had bet ter go," I repeated.
 "Am dog to do your bidding. Beppo?'
 "You heard me. Cor I cried sterniy, stepping toward her.
 l She fell back a pace and then burst into mirthless laugh. Your new lover has saved you" she said to Ma sita.
 Hold your tongue" answered fu- riously; Test forget that, devil as you are, you are still a woman"
 She folded her hands across her heaving bosom and. throwing back her head. laughed again and stared at me strike me for her sake. show your self man to her that she may see what sort of hero it Is she has be- witehed. Oh. you love her. You know that. as do we all. Since she came to the island. what thought have you had for Molta? Why, but for her sake have you quarrelled with the woman you had sworn to wed? Have we not all seen the change sn you? Your coldness. your neglect your" She stopped there shrinking from the wrath blazing in my eyes. My evil reputa- tion for violence stood me in good stead at that moment. for 1t silenced her.
 Without a word I gripped her by the arm and thrust her toward the door: and, without word she obeyed the un- spoken command She backed out of the room and, prey to dire fear, hur- ried down to the floor below I fol- lowed. and as she reached the outer door she crouched into a corner in dread of my violence.
 found the door unlocked, and, fling ing 1t open, pushed her out. shot home the bolts. and returned to tell Mastta that the peril was passed.
 She was still pale and trembling from the effects of the ordeal through which she had passed. She had lighted her lamp and her great eyes fastened ques- tioningly on my face as she turned on my entrance. You are safe" I as- sured her. T will see that you have no more trouble, of this sort"
 What have you done with her? You have not"
 She has left the building. I do not ill-treat womep," replied. answering her unfinished question.
 She threatened my life. Did she mean really to kill me?'
 She Is a Greek and mad with teaI- ousy. and was to have been Beltanos wife. She knows that he will be here the day after tomorrow and that priest comes with him to make you his wife,
 "Is that the truth?"
 'I have no end to gain by saying what Is false"
 But my brother? He sent her to me here with a written message that she would help me. that she was to be his wife. and that-that you had ar ranged for her to come. He wished us to be friendly"
 Was 1t in friendship that she drew her knife? I do not yet know all that occurred. but I do know that to gain admittance for her here, Breva was bound and drugged I found him and so learnt what had been planned
 But you were in the building" she said quickly and with suspicion.
 ''It would be simpler to say at once you do not believe me. There is a path around the cliff. came that way"
 But why not by the door below? The way you brought me?"
 Drako. Agapa's brother, and another man would have sought to stop me. and