The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-12-27


MAS 6iff
Of the fast receding figure Of the mar
who was beginning 10 ascend thg
mountain
mo more. EeYalr moroF" he hissed
mysteriously.
Janet was speechless with astonish'
ment she was familiar with the lads
heroIcs. but really this was something
out OF the ordinary.
"Dls uigh,.a." continued Beppo IN q
sibIIlaHt whisper, he mus'.a der
Now, what do you meany Janet
demanded sternly. with the evident
intention Of getting nj the bottom Of
the matter "Sit right down In that
chair and tell mo without any more
nonsense"
For reply Beppo drew his hand
across his throat and gurgled sugges.
lively.
Janet was beginning to be seriously
alarmed. She knew that the young
ster was emotional to the verge Of alb
surdity and that be was not to be de-
pended upon in an emergency, She
had discovered that be had a passion
for exaggeration. but 1t seemed to ber
that there must be something real
about this.
"Beppo," she commanded in a tone
that left no alternative, 'do as | tell
your
Thus brought to terms, the young
sicllian whispered a tale Of contem-
plated assassination and robbery that
would have been a veritable boon to
one Of the operate maestri Of the last
generation. Three men Of the noun
tain gang, he declared, had plotted to
murder and rob John Rossiter on that
very Christmas night, knowing that
he would be- alone In hls Office on the
mountain. Beppo gave all the details
OF the dastardly business with the
most Ingenious explleitness and seem
ed to expect Janet to share his enthu-
slasm over the removal Of her enemy.
Janet did not stop to slft the mat
ter 1t was sufficient for her that the
man she loved was threatened by
danger which she might avert. She
did not hesitate a moment Distrust-
Ing Beppo. she feigned satisfaction at
the prospect Of so soon being rid Of
her enemy and sent the boy to the VII
lage on an errand. AS soon as he was
out Of sight she left her house and be-
gan to ascend the mountain as quickly
as she could.
Half an hour later she stood at the
open door OF Rossiter's cabin and face
to face with its occupant.
Janet" he asked her doubtlngIy,
"are you actually bereT
Yes" she returned breathlessly and
without looking at him at all. Il have
come to offer you a Christmas gift"
He looked at her amazedly. but did
not speak.
Il have come to offer you your life"
Il don't understand; really do not.
Janet" he said helpIessly.
Then she told him Beppo's story.
He heard It to the end without
word Of comment When she had fin
ished he sighed long and deeply.
4 am disappointed" he said, with
curious little quayer in bis voice. II
am disappointed in my Christmas pree.
ent. hoped-l thought perhaps It
might be something better"
what is better than lifer
You are-far better" he declared
Janet knew that the long confto
was ended. and the kno Wedge Iift1l
the weight from her heart
III you really believe anything o.
that sort, John" she began,
Il forgot to tell yon that there isn't
word Of truth in your precious Bep.
pos story" John said az they were de-
scending the mountain. why, the
very men he named are IN the village
lockup at the present mOment--too
much holiday, you know. I saw them
ls I came up from the train. They are
III good workmen, and ia the morning
shall 80 down and pay their fines
ind get them out Of iirabo."