The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-13
fContinncd.l

~The Holy Virgin forefend.' she ex- claimed with shudder
 s'We both understand. Now listen h what say. I am taking no risks in this matter. At night shall be on guard outside but you must be as watchfnl as cat within. You VIII not close your eyes during the dark. but watch incessantly; and at the slightest sound to rouse suspicion, you will call to me. You can sleep from dawn and when chance oners in the day also. Breva will watch In the daytime when I sleep" At noon sought out Breva and told hiin. The lad loved me think. and readily agreed to do all wished. But he and Pepita had talked much together of Aasita and the change In me, and he could not now restrain his curiosity. aYou have some secret purpose. Bep- DO. You will trust nae? My life IS yours"
 -When the time comes will tell you. Have patience"
 Soon after midday Beltano left. hav- ing first seen Mssita installed In her new quarters. As he came out. l was at the spot had selected for my sem tinel work. I told him the arrange nents I had made and that I wished him to repeat them to Molta.
 .,She is mad against Masita for her. treatment of me and may think that I am doing too much.' said. Tell her 1t all done by your orders"
 T have thought 1t over. You are right" he answered. "I know now that Aeapa's heart Is full of wrath. was to have welded her and you know what a Greek is If trouble should arise. deal with 1t as you will. You are in my place in this. And remem- Der, trust to you he said as he held out his hand. / felt something of traitor as gave him mine; but Masita's welfare was above all in my eyes. and I dared not show Q sign to him of what was in my heart He departed without sus- picion, and an hour or two later I. went 70 DTasita.
 The two rooms assigned to her use had been thoroughly cleaned; they were bright and cheerful with the sum light, and made by no means uncom- fortable quarters
 She was sitting buried in thought. ana as entered glanced at me and then dropped her eyes as if to resume tho broken thread of her thought. She affected to ignore my presence.
 But had to rouse her interest: and Co do this began nrst to play upon her curiosity. I knew that only one line was possible with her, and that I could only look to prevail by strong meas
  A1skrcnger will.
 z I stood a moment glancing about me as if assuring myself that all had been done as had directed; and then nov ing to a spot directly behind her. I stood as still as statue staring straight al her; concentrating all thy will 10 force her to turn and look At me. itnsyA whether she guessed my purpose l cannot say; but minute after minute pMa1ed without a sign that she even knew I was still in the room. The window was open, and through 1t came the sound of the tapping of the waves on the seashore far below; the only sound to break the dead silence
 Presently ! observed slight signs of ufeaainess. First her shoulders moved uneasily. Then the hand on which her face rested began to tremble asi the muscles frightened Her breath deer- aned and 1qufckened. growing tremu- lous and agitated. And all the time ] stood like stone figure. controlling even my breathing that she should mol huar it.
 As the time passed the strain upon her intensified. Many signs were man. ifest now that the ordeal was testing her self-coptrpl to the uttermost. And then all slddenly the end came. Sht pprang up. and turned at bay. her face pale ana neF IDS qutNcEiHBt anu HSi eyes Aflane with anger.
 You coward" she cried.
 made no reply; standing stock still ns if I had not heard her speak; and continued to stare sternly straight into her eyes
 Again she took up the challenge oi my gaze, facing me at first in hot an ger, then in curious doubt of my pur' pose, gradually with a dawning fear and mf last almost reluctantly ana with quickly mounting effort forcing herself to maintain contest in whicf al1e now felt she must fan.
 At length her eyes fell; and with { cry she hid her face In her bands. anC threw herself back into the chair.
 still made no sign nor movement was resolved that she should speal 4o me in obedience to my stronge will
 The struggle now was much shorter Scarcely a minute passed before sh' grew restless again and turned to me
 ~What is your will? Would youssat