The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-16
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nut I set the lantern in its place ana rsct watch for him. About mia uieht fhe rain came, and aIter lnal' the wind iessened consideraoiy. when the dawn broke went up once more lo inc lookout and scanned the sea eassr ly for the boat. There was not ssm of 1t: and as could do no more ias flown and siept for some hours.
 In the morning the weather was SUI unnromisIng for Brevas attempt The sun was shining. but the wind was sun stronx and the sea rough and trouoleu' He was confident. however, that oy us afternoon the conditions would nave changed sufficiently to admit or nis startins; and there was nothing TOT II but 10 wait with such patience as could.
 Meanwhile, Agapa was as good as her word. During the morning she oo- tained ample supplies ot food ana couple of guns-one of them Win ehester--with a quantity of ammuni- ton, and brought them to me.
 was greatly relieved to find Masita aasier in mind about her brother and quite disposed to believe that ne had continued his journey across instead or returning to the island
 He would not know, of course. that we were in such need of the boat. she said.
 "And in a few hours. thank Heaven. that need will be passed" l replied and told her of Breva's offer.
 He Is a brave fellow. indeed" she cried enthusiastically. But if he should not succeed. what will you do7"
 50 long as Beltano delays his return there will be no sort of trouble"
 But when he does returnT
 We shall be prisoners for time here In this place. l am counting on hA Poi ny ra n still give Beltano lot of trouble"
 Tell me"
 "Thls place Is very strong and there Is only one way of approach--by that awkward path cut through the rocks. You will have to trust yourself, here alone, or almost alone with me and leave me to deal with bim."
 You mean you will resist him by force2"
 You know him and can judge if there Is any other way"
 But I will pay any ransom he asks, l came for no other purpose"
 When he finds us both in his power he will not listen to any such terms"
 You mean I should rot have come. then? When Julius told me you had been condemned to death felt must come"
 Do you think he told you 10 indue- you to come. say at the instigation of anyone else?"
 "oh, no. Why should her"
 T was not in such danger as he said"
 He was distracted by Agapa's treat ment and fear of her brother. My remain away. I did not know what to do."
 You did not understand the terrible risk you ran. Beltano Is hot against me and would not have listened to you. There is a very short shrift here for anyone believed to be guilty of treach- cry and that is how he regards me-"
 You mean because of the help you rendered me. But I have remedled that by returning. It Is not me he seeks. but my fortune Jknow that by the influence 1t would give him. he hopes to make for himself a now posi- tion in the province"
 You would give him all you pos- sess?" I cried in astonishment.
 "All I have In this province. freely. If he demands 1t. Anything. If he will let us go free. Was I not hopelessly In his power when you helped me? Did not you risk your life st his hands and an even worse punishment at the hands of the authorities? h 1t a time to count mere money? Was I to turn coward, when l knew that he mad
 
 done for me? At the worst I am hut where I was when you rescued me-"
 You had this worst ir your thoughts when you came?" I asked, after pause in which the fulness of her sac rifice was made clear. You should not have come. It was rank madness" T know his love of money"
 You should not have come" I re- peated earnestly.
 Say rather you yourself should not have returned" she said. as if to put me on my defense. That was the step which has led to this. Could with any sense of houor accept the sacrifice of your life when 1t was in my power to save it?"
 You knew my ob1ect-to clear my self from the stain of Vicino's murder. What was life worth tc me branded as a murderer? You should not have come. I knew well enough the condi- tions should lind here and the danger l was running. I came for my own sake and purpose only, as would come