Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-06-05

Concealed in the Big Rocks That skirt l
the Stream Are Several cronohIno
Men.
this, the noise of waterfall strikes
their ears, gradually growing louder.
Five minutes later. Barnes holds up
his hand cautiously. Marinas glance
follows his; far below them, conceal
GA in the big rocks that skirt the
stream ait the little bridge near the
waterfall. are several erouching.
armed men. A little farther down tho
rapid. In the top Of big beech tree.
is perched another, his hand shading
his eyes from the rays OF the declining
sun that shines In his face MS he looks
down the pathway coming from the
east
These gentlemen are waiting for
me-. remarks the American. Ia his
face the supreme Joy Of sportsman
who viii bag not only one head, but a
battue, He puts his rifle on the ground.
louaens both reviewers In his belt and
asks "rhe way to descend the preci-
pice frcIn here7"
why falters the girl.
WHY because | am now the hunt
err answers Barnes do you think
am going 10 spare tho wretches who
have stolen my wife? None OF them!
Quick. the path by which l can inter-
cept them and cut them on to the last
mani"
Marina looks at his fatal pistols and
shnddersi Thank God, there Is no 4
PATH"
.Ah, then win have to be con-
tent with the sentry. that fellow In the
beech tree there"
MY God, IL you kill any Of them.
gasps Marina. .you will never gel
Enid out OF tho island alive. You came
to save her. not to murder her. She
puts a white imploring hand on
barnes. who Is already preparing his
rife. Then she suddenly half cries:
Your wife, You want her!" and
| points far up to the top OF the pass be-
tween the two great mountains, Ro~
| tondo and Del Gro. and Barnes eyes
| following her hand. he secs figures
| siihouetted against the clear blue AL
| pine air. All are mounted, and ono II
surely W0man4
.You think that is my wife?
Il am sure OF it. Saliceti has only
left some OF hts men behind to wayiay
you II you come on unguardedly."
barnes doesn't even answer her.
Hts quick steps are carrying him 10
rapidly In pursuit along the dizzy
mountain path that Marina, though
the poor girl half runs, can scarce
keep up with him.
Their path leads along the preci-
pieces, now and again reaching some
| little mountain valley through which
stream trickles between stunted
pines, and about whose rocks are
growing the sweet forget-me-nots and
violets Of Corsica.
But as they near the summit Of the
mountain. darkness comes also and
binding mist, cold with the chill Of
melting snow, descends upon them,
and enyeloping them with neeey
sheen. the rocks and lichens about the
path are shrouded from their gaze
They are above the timber line and
the great bare granite blocks braise
! Marinas tender feet as they stnsnhIe
among them.
The girl lays her hand upon her
companions arm. We may reach the
summit before darkness she pants.
out Of breath. but the dizzy descent
| On the other side is impossible without
daylight"
4 remember answers Burton Il
nave passed down 1t hunting
mouifions Then he takes on his hunt.
ing coat and places it carefully over
the delicate shoulders OF his fragile
companion. already shiyering In her
light summer garment under the Icy
mist about her Il am thinking Of some
shelter for you. for We must pass the
night upon the mountain" he s1ys,
tenderiy; then asks snxiously: Do
! you know oae?"
Yes" she replies, her teeth chat
tering, II we can reach 1t In tais
storm The little chalet where poor cid
Tomasso sometimes took me when ha
brought me here as child to pluck
the flowers OF the mountain"
With this she turns abruptly to thu
left, and Barnes following her. they
struggle up couloir filled with mas
sive boulders, but nearing the summit
the mist becomes colder, the win
sharper and the gloom more deep. Su
rounded, as they are. by frightfs
precipices, this Is appalling.
I've lost my way" mutters Marine
her voice low with faintness, bur