The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-12

iH@hH " " E8iI V zAE&1We patience I folded my arms and blocked her way.
 T would order 1t Otherwise if could Masita: but I can trnst no other man but Beppo in this. And your safety You hear" I said with curl of the lip, Come. will show you where you are to remain"
 My prison. you mean"
 ,,, Prison or shelter. call It what you At my harsh tone she clenched her hands. and her very body seemed to stiffen in resentment as if the devil himself should not have forced her to obey. Her glorious eyes flashed and her bosom rose and tell under the stress of her indignant breath.
 I laid my hand on her arm. T am no man to be fooled by girls whims" At the touch of my hand she started and shuddered. like 2 colt that feels ed her wrist from my grasp-I had l only taken a slight one--and stood trembling and agitaed.
 turned on him hotiy. Has she | been gentle with me? Has she not | threatened my life. Have 1 sought | this task. or have you forced 1t upon me? take my own way, or you will find another for it---Guiseppe or Drake. | or whom you will. If they can guard her better than l. let them. But sKs viii not obey. what is ail this Bst l fooleryT
 -Masita,g he said turning to her. aaSs s5s rd,I stiil hesitaNtsa N tho struggle yield to you" she said then pointeaiy to him, turning her back to me.
 laughed. You have yielded. That | is enough" declared; and led the way to the old fortress of which 1
 The island had at one time been the stronghold of band of corsairs. and | they had built themselves a small fortress on the edge of q Jutting cliR. l The site had been admirably chosen. The only approach to 1t was by nar- out of the rocks. while the precipitous clin, dropping sheer and almost straight to the shore below, rendered approach from that side impossible. except at the risk of the climbers neck.
 There were half dozen rooms on the. two floors of the place, and a. smaller one above giving access to the rooI. where q lookout had been construet- and barred. guarded the entrance. ana a couple of slits of windows in the thick walls on the land side enabled | those within to guard against attack. Had deviced the place myself it could 1 not better have served my purpose. IL was at once a prison ana a shelter, | ds naO LOAQ Aa6Slt1. 1 She gave a little shudder of dread as she entered; but recovered her com posture quickly and glanced curlousiy about the gloomy place. I judged that she was already calculating the chances | of escape and was chilled to Ind how remote they were.
 I led the way to the floor above where the rooms were brighter ana view vie er" over the seq. The place was very dirty and covered with dust. but a little work would soon render them passably comfortable.
 ed bluntiy. The place shall be cleaned at once and got ready"
 She made no reply gave no sign and aIYec crossed s s to the the window. ahs building was on the brink of the pre- cipice; and from where she stood she was unable to see even the narrow treacherous foothold some few feet below the window
 Her face clouded as involuntarily she caught her breath in dismay.
 Its a big jump. sisnorina." I said with q coarse chuckle-
 Again she affected not to have heard
 My brutal jibe was intended for Beltano. however: and it had the effect I wished, for he turned angrily upon me to protest; but shrugged my shoulders and swung away, leaving him to say what he would to Mastta.
 I returned to the farmstead and told Molta the arrangements had made and that some of the women must he sent to the old fortress at once to have t ready for Masita before Beltano lert
 She was delighted with the plan You have done right, Beppo I had thought of keeping her in her room here: but this Is better;" and she gave the necessary orders at once.
 She was for leaving the rooms All but bare of furniture. Tt Is prison: let 1t be one" she declared vfndictive- ly. "she deserves no less for her treat ment of you"
 she is to be Beltano,s wife. Moltae" I replied. That pretext served to oh- tain for Masita such furniture as was available: and I myself carried over many things I judged she would need
 At this Molta took umorage. sheer ing lealously at my care and thought wishes and so gained my end.
 Pepita read my motive, however: and once, when we were alone spoke to me. You are surely mad. Beppo All the women on the island will know why you do this"
 CT. Ask Beltano if have done too
 She threw up her hands. There will be trouble from it." she cried
 "The trouble will me Masitas. should aught come to me. will deal
 You are mad. She has bewitched See to 1t that she does not be- witch you. You win attend upon
 i wouil rather some other had the Shan giye 1t 70 Agaps9
 GMtinued TomoErow,