The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-02

sf EnmhomUR0fm mAuHmH nEuE m#HE@ss the dresses above me ana to move them aside two of than fell and .da- sita uttered a little lexclsmation or concern oh. please. a.ase take care. she cried. 'lt will nst take more tusn an extra minute.
 It was subtle stroke and succeed cd. To my intsnsn relief the man drew back. There is no need. am satisfied, signorins.T he said.
 Bianca hurried 10 the cupboard and snstched up the fallen dresses to re- place them on the hooks. grumbllng audfbly the whole at his carelessness.
 The danger was passed; and In an- other minute the room was cleared.
 "Prepare my bed, Blanca. 1 shall retire as soon as the searcn Is ended. said Masita.
 Again | thought of attempting to leave the house. but as If divinins my intention Biahcs began 10 croon her song again; and this time, let me know that man was posted close to the room and others we're about the house. l had only to wait and all would be well {.
 How long 1 remained hidden can- not say: but Blanca came at length to tell mo that the men had left the house and that Masita wished to see me. She took me to the small room where had been left on entering the house. It was dimly lighted by only one small lamp carefully shaded so that no rays from It fell Cn the win dow.
 How can thank your said as entered.
 Do you wish te?r
 T owe you my liberty. and prob- ably my life; and I know the risk at which you saved me-"
 I ask no thanks. Do you think eeuld betray you after what you have done for me? s43esides. have had my way after all: l have forced you to accept some little help. from me in part repay4ent. AR wish now is to make good the balance and that you will let me help you further. You will remain here tonight, and tomor- row so with me to Trapani as my servant"
 I hesitate6 what reply to make. 'ro refuse her wish after such a service was the act of a churl: and yet could not consent.
 Surely you will trust me now. she said in some astonishmeht.
 "St Is no question of trust or mis- trust. Believe that speak In all sim eerity Bat I have that to do which must be done before think of flight.i'
 "Teil me and let me help you init,
 still hesitated. You cannot help me-" replied after a pause.
 You mean that you will not be be holden to me"
 Not that Indeed. on my honor" 1 said with quick earnestness
 She made little gesture of disap- pointment and then said firmly. "You shall tell me: am resolved on that or shall believe you unsrateful."
 That you shall never think. will tell you. T must find out the truth as to what occurred on the night vicino was killed"
 The intention was so firmly fixed in my mind and appeared so obvious and ne necessary sss that her surprise a''on''n- z DO you mean you do not know9' she asked. her eyes fixed on my face,
 T do not know. It will sound strange and probably incredible to you. But I can recall nothing of my life here in this country until I came to myself after the blow I received that night" %
 Tn this countryY" She repeated my words as if not understanding them. Do you mean that there is doubt as to how vioino came by his deathT she asked next. leaning toward me, every feature aiight with intent in- terest. That he did not die by your hand?"
 T have reason to hope"
 She drew back and put her hand to her forehead In thought You mys- tify me" she murmured. wait" She rose and left me, to return after a short while with a letter in her hand. She went to a desk and laid out pa per and ink and held a pen toward me.
 "wnl you write as dictate' You can writer
 "Yes." said. as took the pen in hand. H
 She commenced to dictate q letter to some one unnamed, reading one or two sentences from the paper she hold and pausinx as she substituted a word here and there for those of the letter. wrote rapidly. and when I had fin- ished, she took the writing and com pared 1t closely with that of the let ter she held. When she had done this she glanced at me with suspicion.
 Tt is the same. Can you explain this?" she asked somewhat sharply. and put both papers into my hand.
 The paper which she had fetched with the letter had been written to Viesno to bring him to the hut: and the writing was unquestionably my own.
 Tt is my writing" I said quietly T cannot explain 1t. This letter was given to me while was on athe island as part of the proof of your act that night. It was known that I had sworn to accuse you. It was this letter which brought Vi- cino to his death: and 1t was your work How. then. can you mean there | is doubt?" Her face was pale and set. and the look in her eyes very hard. | But with a start the Expression chang ed. 'I am not judging you. Heaven knows I would too gladly help you to clear yourself" and with deep-drawn | sigh she leant back in her chair. q have no answer yet. I know. for Beltano himself told me. had writ ten such letter; and one also to you, | in your brothers name and in a coun- terfeit of his writing; that you. too, should be at the hut. must also have known his intention-to get you to the island that you might become his wife. But I remember nothing of 1t all--nothing of the time before 1