The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-02-22

more T. ley: that his ship may be
wrecked at sea and he has no insur-
ance
Pay him." mutters Barnes impa-
tiently, and hands his pocketboOk to
Graham
But payment takes some time. the
light of the lantern not being very
good and the Italian inspecting every
bill to see its value and again greedily
imploring for more money, stating
that his men will desert him If he
gives them not speedy employment.
Give him what he asks" cries Bur
ton again: then pauses and mutters:
Good God" and springs on shore!
For a shout has rung out through the
night air from Lady Chartris villa and
there is terror in it, and he knows 1t
is the voice of the stout nerved An
struther, who would not give cry un-
less some sudden and uncanny despair
had come upon him.
The American rushes up the path
and few steps from the door almost
runs against Edwin. In the darkness
the frenzied men seize each other. for
Anstruther is now as frantic as HIM
self. Recognizing him. Barnes asks:
What's the natter"
by heaven. Another blow in the
dark! My wife has gone also!"
Marina? Impossible. You have
looked the grounds over" You have
searched the house,
Here's note from her. left in her
chamber. begging me to forgive her,
saying it is to save my life"
My God. what horrible plot is it
that has bereft us both in a moment?"
asks Barnes. IF she had only told
you the contents of that devilish let
ter"
The two are in the hall together, in
their anguish, their voices ring out
loudly. A frightened-eyed, short-skirt-
ed creature runs to them, and trem
blingly asks: Did you want Marina's S
Knockout letter very much, Barnsey"
The last part of it,
1T was perhaps Ends life, perhaps
the life of Edwin's BRIDE
We'll, then. I-I-oh. forgive me.
| lied to you. I've got the letter-the
last part of it: | was going to sell it
W AOu lol SldCeS-l IL get IL
for you. 1t is tucked in my lucky
stocking for fear mall see it. 1t said
something about murder Tll-oh.
don't look at me so awful
Maud flies upstairs and a moment
later dashes back bringing the portion
of the epistle.
AS they try to decipher its cramped
foreign hand, Lady Chartris, coming
out wildly from her chamber, for now
she fears she will be abducted herself.
and is half crazy with fright sud-
denly, looking over their shoulders.
cries. half shrieking: 'Oh, heavens,
Cipriano's writing
You are sure?"
Il fear, | fear! I've got three love
notes from him-this looks quite like
his hand"
And the astounded and dismayed
widow wrings her hands, her face
pallid with jealous chagrin.
This is the most crafty, subtle and
satanic plot against your married hap
piness, Edwin" whispers Barnes. "As
near as | can make out, this devilish
missive says that Marina must desert
you, her accursed English husband; ;
then they will spare your life. II she
remains with you, your fate will be
hers. Your safety from death is offer
ed as a bribe to your young wife If she
deserts your bed and leaves herself
open to the stilletos of these devils.
If she stays with you and clings to
you. you will be assassinated, even in
her arms"
Then the wife of my heart has left
me fearing as the attack upon my sis
ter's liberty has been successful their
efforts against my life will be equally
So shudders Edwin; next cries out
almost angrily: She was mad not
to trust me-
Marina knew you wouldn't let her
go if she did suggests Burton more
calmly.
CTO BE CONTINUED)