Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08

she took the paper and tore IL to shreds.
declaring that no one should be sent on
such a fools Grand
As you WILL l replied But Beltano
will be angered." Her only reply was a
laugh of indifference.
1 decided. therefore. that 1 would 60
myself, and returning to the fort sent
Pepita to obtain a second list and su-
thority. and told Breva what should do.
He warned me almost passionately
against any such course. II were to
be caught by the carabinieri. all would
be lost. he declared and Offering to go in
my place. But 1 knew that if he went
the anger which Molta would hesitate to
vent upon me would certainly be visited
upon him.
l had little fear of being caught had
found in my hut suit OF clothes much
less outlandish than that which / was
wearing. and dressed In them I could at
need assume my own nationality.
/ babe. Breva hold his tongue about my
trip. If my absence was noticed he was
merely to say 1 had gone fishing and as
Masita I set off,
/ was indeed glad it had fallen out that
I should go myself. 1t would prove that
my expressed desire to serve her was not
mere talk, and IL I succeeded, l reckoned
| that it would do more than a week Of
talking to make her trust me.
1t was late in the afternoon before I
started, and contrary wind delayed my
to fall when / reached Solferino's farm
and obtained a horse. I was evidently
well known there. and All indirect ques-
ton or two as to which was the nearest
road to Masita's house brought me The
information / needed to my route.
L had no difficulty in finding the place.
and on presenting her letter the little
packet was soon ready.
But the message to her brother. Julius.
was a different matter. He was not at
hONSP i Y
probably find him at one of the taverns
in the little town of Levaccio. some two
or three miles distant.
This was not so much to my liking. 1t
was not at all improbable that had oeen
to the places and might be recognized.
Still there was no help for il. and I ac-
cordingly turned my horses head in the
direction and set off at smart pace.
On consideration / decided to make the
search for him on foot. and leaving my
horse fastened in a copse outside the
town, assumed a casual air and strolled
up the main street. keeping a wary eye
for signs of the cara binieri.
/ sauntered into the first place which
had been mentioned to ME and. finding
it all but empty. called for some wine.
and asked the man who served me IL
Julius Correggio had been there.
The sound of my voice brought a woman
out comfortable. homely looking body.
who gave me a sharp glance. murmured
good evening and sent away the man.
Then she came close to me and. with a
gesture of caution, whispered. why are
you here. Beppo? The town is full of
the carabinieri looking for you.
Il must have word with Julius Cor
reggie at once
'.As ever, the most reckless fool of ALL"
She cried, throwing up her hands. as IL
anna Zed at my foolhardiness. Stay here
l will send for him. Sit over there. Be
drunk or anything you will. lest the
police come.
She hurried away and 1 took my wine
to one of the small tables and sat down
feeling. 1t must be confessed, profoundly
uncomfortable at her news. was anx-
ious to do the service for Masita but not
at the cost of falling into the hands OF
the police.
Some minutes passed: anxious minutes
sound In the street. and presently she
came hustling back, looking pale and
troubled. They are coming here she
said. Come and I'll try to hide you
l rose. but it was too late. The men
were already al the door.
| sat down again. Leave 1t to me-"
whispered. Mind. you do not know me.
am an American and have been asking
you where l can get bed tonight" Then
1 raised my voice and began to talk in
broken Italian with a nasal accent sharp
enough to sour the wine, breaking in
with scraps of exaggerated Yankee.
We were laughing together, as If she
utterly failed to understand me. when
three men in the uniform of the cara
binieri pushed their way in noisily.
1t was pretty situation. They all eyed
me very sharply, and If either Of them
had seen me before. my arrest on the
charge of murder was no more than q
matter of moments.
Go be continued next Sunday.)