Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
CHAPTER Xxx.
Suspense.


turned to Masita 1 was able u
u assure her that there were ai
ready signs that the storm was
abating THE wind is not so strong az
when we were watching your brother, anc
he should have no difficulty in reaching the
Shore" told her. and urged her TO RESI-
so as TO be in readiness to start the in
slant he arrived. What We have to feal
IL that, when he finds the weather inn
proving, he may make for the mainland
instead of here
you really believe he will he safe?'
He kept afloat when the wino was
worse than 1t is. and every minute is
making his position better. must ~
and set up the lantern to guide him-
AS I went out told Pepita TO DO ner
utmost to reassure Masita. and TO lay
stress on the probability that. when
julius found the weather improving. ne
would rather risk tine crossing imam re-
turn to the island.
"You think he will be drowned. Beppo!'
IT don't wish Masita to think so.
He will be no great loss. she replleo'
"But I will do as you wish
Except for Masita's sake ana NO. tn ma sn ms
Of regret about Julius. He was disso-
Lutte. worthless fellow: he had SHOWN
himself ready to sacrifice her to BeHano
for his own selfish purposes ana II Was
only his miserable cowardice that mao
brought him into danger now.
But I set the lantern In its place and
kept a watch for him. About midnight
the rain came. and after that the wlno
lessened considerably. When the dawn
broke 1 went up once more to the look
out and scanned the sea eagerly for the
boat There was not a sign of 1t, and as
I could do no more. I lay down and slept
for some hours.
In the morning the weather was still
unpromising for Breva's attempt. The
sun was shining. but the wind was still
strong, and the sea rough and troubled
He was confident. however, that oy the
afternoon the conditions would nave
changed sufficiently to admit of his start
ing, and there was nothing for 1t but to
wait with such patience as could
Meanwhile. Agapa was as good as her
word During the morning she obtained
ample supplies OF food ana coupe OIL
Guns-one Of them a Winchester-with a
quantity of ammunition, and brought
them to me.
I was greatly relieved to find Masita
easier in mind about her brother. and
quite disposed to believe that he had con-
tinued his journey across instead OF re-
turning to the island.
HE would not know. of course. that
Ne>were In such need of the boat she
said.
ana III lew IOuIS, tHohh
that need will be passed. replied, and
told her Of Breya's offer.
HE is a brave fellow. indeed" she
cried. enthusiastically. But II he should
not succeed, what will you dog"
so long as. Beltano delays his return
there will be no sort of trouble"
But when he does RETURN?
I'VE shall be prisoners for time here
In this place: / am counting on Breva's
success, but If he fails we can still give
- 1af n frnf1h10 ~
TELL me-" ...
This place is very strong and there is
only one way Of approach-by that awk-
ward path cut through the rocks. You
or almost alone. with me and leave me
to deal with him"
You mean you will resist him by
forcer'
But I will pay any ransom he asks
! 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 not have come.
thenf when julius told me you had been
condemned to death I felt must come"
do you think he told you to induce
you to come. say at the instigaion OF
any one else?''
II was not in such danger as he said."
He was distracted by Agapa's treat
mant and fear of her brother. My COM
Ing was my own act. I could not re-
you did not understand the terrible
risk you ran. Beltano is hot against me
and would not have listened to you.
There 10 q very short shrift here for
any one 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 remedied that
by returning. It il not me he seeks. but
my fortune. I know that. by the inf1u-
ence It would give him. he hopes to make
ince."
You would give him all you possess?'
/ cried. in establishment.
IAN I have in this province. freely. If
us 90 free. Was I not hopelessly in his
power when you helped me? Did not you
Yisk your life at his hands and an even
worse punishment at the hands of the
authorities? Is 1t time to count mere
money? Was ] to turn coward when I
knew that he had threatened your life
for what you had done for me? At the
worst I am but where I was when you
rescued me-"
you had this worst in your thoughts
pause. in which the fullness of her sacri-
nee was made clear. you should not
have come. 1t was rank madness"
II know his love of money"
you 6nOui0 nOI nave COIIIc' 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 honor accept the sacrifice of
your life when it was in my power TO
save tt?''
"You knew my object-to clear myself
from the stain of Vicino's murder. What
was life worth to me branded as MUIR
derer? You should not have come. l
knew well enough the conditions / should
find here and the danger l was running.
came for my own sake and purpose
only, as would come again for the same
eud-to prove my innocence. as, thank
heaven. have proved 1t. But that does
not touch you. and repeat. you should
not have come"
Does not touch me-" she repeated,
quickly. catching at my phrase.
II mean 1t was no cause for you to
venture this risk
Say rather 1t would have been all the
greater cause had known It, You have
your former life to go back to. and IL
should be glad to think helped you.
But I know now that you are right and
that should not have come. Not on &C
count Of the risk to me, but because in
coming I have made matters SO much
worse for you. I have thought of that in
the night. Had ] not come you would
have got away. see that now" she
said. with q deep sigh.
in your mind. We shall both get away.
but you must leave the means to me. If
Breva succeeds we shall win that way;
II not the case Is not so black as II
may seem. When Beltano comes we will
try your plan first-the ransom. II that