Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22
would have stopped me and threatened

would have stopped me and I threatened
him.
Again he was careful to check his anger
pose in going to Masita was as plain as
his dark he ard
Il sought only to relieve you Of your
guard. Beppo." he said.
'Breva is the guard by day. My watch
is at night" I answered. drily.
You have done well. No one knows
that better than I. but now that l am
back. I choose whom 1 will for the
work.
If have done well. you have done Ill
Relfano. have had much trouble with
the men in your absence. and when they
find my orders set at naught without my
knowledge, they will sheer at me. L shall
keep the night watch
Il have already ordered Juan to keep
You wish to put slight on me. then?
Don't be so hot in the head. man
81 am quite cool about this. Beltano
The man who takes my place against my
wish will have to fight me for it. Find
one. If you can and with that l was
turning away when lie came after me.
Are You set on quarreling. Beppo? The
reason for the change Is that there will
no longer be need for any watch. l have
altered my plans. Masita will become my
wife tonight" and. AS If very anxious to
avoid a dispute with ME. he kept by my
side. explaining his plan and seeking e
assure himself that l should not attempt
to thwart it.
We stood talking together some time
near the huts. he questioning and I fenc-
ing with him. and ! saw Pepita I'm eager
talk with Breva. and soon afterward she
passed us carrying a bundle.
When l left BeltanO / went down to sec
that my boat was in readiness. and as
came back up the path toward the farm
stead. Agapa met me. Il have been seek
ing you everywhere. Beppo. You have
heard that Beltano means to marry Ma
sta tonight? You are fool. You told
him OF my going to her. That is why he
has FASTENED things"
What is it to me-"
You love her" she cried. almost fierce.
ly. land yet like tame fool would see
her mated with another
| smiled. Here was I with my plan fol
MaSitas escape all ready, and Agapa was
mad that l did nothing. 1.-THE priest who
is to marry them is to marry Molta and
me at the same time. Agapa. You talk
like child"
She gestured impatiently. "iou may
fool others. but / have seen you AND
Masita together and read the glances OF
you BOTH
! caught my breath at the thought she
started. You tire me with your foo
talk. Agapa."
Then you have PLAN she cried
sharply. Selling my arm and staring nr
into my face. Eyes. I can see you have
Is it the same as mine?"
I had no mind to trust her with my Sc
cret and. shaking off her hand. was pass
ing on when she held me. II will tel
you mine. This Baracci is but a man.
can do with him what I will She
shrugged her shapely shoulders contemp-
as she laughed softly and threw back hel
head. with a confident assertion Of her
charms. She was a handsome devil ir
all truth. and that, if she tried. she could
hang the priests scalp on her belt. I die
shall it be Drako?'
But + shook my head. I preferred to
rely upon my own plan.
IF you were another than Beppo.
should say you were afraid. But YOU
have some other plan. Try it. but do yor
know that Molta has gone to the old fort
and will remain there until-the marriage
ceremony. All. that touches you!" she
cried, as I started uneasily at the news
my plan will be best We shall see
and with that she turned away and left
me.
sought Pepita at once and found the
news was true. Beltano had taken q
shrewd step to checkmate me, and one
with which could find no fault.
AS l sat in my hut disconnected. I saw
Agapa and the rascally old priest to-
of his bent: coquettfng with him. smiling
and ogling him as If her heart were JUS
the purest under heaven and he had it all
l saw. too. that he was already tipSy, anG
she piled him with wine. touching the cur
with her lips as she handed it to him
and encouraging him to drain 1t will
glances which fired his blood more than
the liquor itself.
Then a thought suggested itself to me
I rose and strolled toward the boats. Civ
{y,~r clio ony % foil
passed, and she nodded. being quick
enough to understand Luigi had been
withdrawn, so l got my boat ready and
waited.
In a few minutes she came. supporting
the priest. whose steps were now very un-
steady. When they we're near to the
boat. she paused and tempted him to try
and kiss her, and. as he was about to. put
his arms about her. she drew back, and
thrusting him violently forward, called
me to help her. saying that he had in
suited her.
He staggered down the steep path and
fell. and as / dragged him up she let
loose a flood of invective.
He stared at her. helpless with drink
and establishment. and then turned to me
protesting and denying.
Il saw it. Beracci. Shall I kill him,
Agapa?" l asked, flourishing my knife
over his covering head.
Eyes. yes. he insulted me- she cried.
with fierce eagerneSs, and made as II she
herself were ready to do it.
NO 1 said. Whatever else he may
be. he is priest and 1 stepped be-
tween them as If to prevent her.
"Save me- he murmured. covering
from her behind me.
eff he stays here he shall pay with his
life.'' she declared, with a vehemence
which even I believed to be real.
You hear?" 1 exclaimed. turning to
him. eff you stay. you die. There is a
boat. Go, if you care for your wretched
life"
He hesitated between what he deemed
the certain death on the island and the
risks of crossing by himself. and his lips
mumbled quick prayers in his fright.
stay then" 1 said. after a moment s
pause, and turned to leave with Agapa.
mo. no, no, I'll CO." and repeating his
prayers to heaven. he clambered into the
boat and l showed it out with all my
strength to start him on the voyage.
There was a good wind and We watched
him until he was almost out of sight in
the dusk. and then Agapa burst into a
shrill laugh
What is this? Where is Father
Beracci?"
1t was Beltano.
CHAPTER XVII.
The plan ~ Eeroro