Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22
Copyright, 1908.
By Arthur w. Marchmont.
All rights reserved.

tended to look all round about us. 81 do
not see him. He was more than q little
drunk. 1t is true. and perhaps we should
seek him where the wine Is. Carlo. Or
he may be hiding in fear OF your wrath.
He is of the sort to he afraid OF YOU
1 In this fashion she dallied with him
until 1t was certain that the priest would
be beyond pursuit.
TN have no more of this and will find
means to make YOU answer cried Bel
tano his patience tried beyond endurance.
not that he was holy man? tie was too
good for this world Carlo. You should
not bring angels here"
Again he lost control az himself and
seized her roughly by the arm. stepped
forward. "Beltano.'' protested. quickly.
do l need your help. Beppo?' cried
ASapa. sharply. Better a blow than a
curse.
He flung Off her arm angrily. and was
turning TO leave when she stopped him.
Stay. You shall know the truth now.
There Will be no marriage tonight. The
vile wretch YOU brought here for that
purpose got drunk and tried to kiss me
I threatened his life. aye. and would
and set him adrift in a boat to return to
the mainland
She certainly looked magnificent IN her
defiance of him: her figure drawn to its
full height. her head thrown back and her
handsome eyes aglow with dauntless
courage.
For Il moment Beltano's rage mastered
him SO that he could not speak. and
looked for furious. outbreak and stood
| ready to interfere But gradually tho
look in his eyes changed: his face re-
Taxed much of its sternness. and his
hands unclenched. Perhaps he remem-
bered how he had loved her: maybe the
knowledge that it was her love for him
Iylrbf rl, had fv,.-,>
II was only the recognition that to wreak
his anger upon her would not serve to
remedy the mischief.
Whatever his thoughts were. he curbed
his temper and laughed. well. you have
your way. and 1t is better one than
Violence, he said. and turned on his heel
Agapa followed him, and was left to
reflect that. although there would be no
marrying that night. nor ever. indeed. ie
Beltano could not find a priest with mora
courage than the sot. Beracci, I had
nevertheless lost the chance Of carrying
Masita to the mainland until could get
back my own boat or use one of the
others.
be impossible then. There were two
boats. but the sails and oars of both
had been removed to the farmstead In
this, however. Agapa could help me on
the morrow, and having found her and
explained my need. I went Off to the old
fort to take up my watch.
/ had not been there long before Bel
tano came to me. He told me could
keep the watch. II I wished: but there
was no need. as Molta would pass the
night with Masita and he himself would
remain in one of the lower rooms
What really passed between Agapa
and the priest, Beppo?" he asked then.
II told you that she attempted even
Masita's life, and warned you that she
was really dangerous. ] saw the drunken
old fool try to kiss her. and you know
what she is when reused"
But your part in it, what was that"
| recollection. You should have seen II.
Beltano. Beracci has about as much
pluck as crushed olive stone. and
| clambered aboard like a girl with a mad
bull at her HEELS
But you could have protected him."
Why should 1 protect a toss-pot
priest?'
You know why I brought him here.
Did you send him off for Agapa's sake
or your own? 1t is not like you to shelter
| behind a wOman'S skirt
las for that, l was not sorry to see his
back
| Why?
Two reasons. I do not wish to tell
and l don't like your method with Ma
sta"
"They tell me she has bewitched you.
Beppo." he said. sourly. Il have already
warned you once not to counter me In
| this"
| I paused to roll a fresh cigarette. and,
as I lit 1t. held the match SO that he
might see my face clearly. Il don't care
| rotten olive for your threats. Beltano.
and you know they are no more than just
empty talk
! You helped to bring her here. Beppo."
he said. after pause.
And regret it. L am a different man
since that crack on the head
THAT means she has won you over
from me-
"It means this: Convince me that she
wishes to wed you. and all I can do for
you I will. But If You mean to force her.
use your own measures and don't count
upon my help
THAT means you won't obey my
orderS?'
I'm that matter yes" I replied biuntly.
There is no place here for "A man who
won't obey me- Beppo." he said. hotly.
I'm ready to leave. Beltano."
That's for ME to say. I'll see you in
the morning. In the meantime remember
Batissio's fate when he sought to cross
my will
There are other things remember be-
sides Batissios fate" I retorted, as he
turned away. He paused. as IL about to
reply, but thought better of it and left
me.
I did not remember Batissio any more
than I knew the ''other things with
winch i threatened MIN. but L understood
that a crisis had come in our relations
and that for the future / must reckon
with his enmity.
AS soon ne had gone / returned to
my hut. There was clearly no use in my
remaining on the watch that night. and
could make better use Of the hours by
resting in preparation for the work to be
done on the morrow.
When l reached my hut I was sur
prised to find that Agapa had already
carried there the set of spare gear for the
boat which l had asked her to obtain,
and l carried it down to the landing stage
under cover of the darkness and con-
cealed it in readiness for the morrow.
On my return | found Breva waiting
for me. He was anxious to know whether
any attempt at escape was to be made
that night. I told him the pith of what
had occurred, and he on his side had
news for me. Pepita was to go to the
fort again in the morning to attend upon
Masita
AS he was leaving I got from him the
meaning of Beltano's reference to Bats
sio's fate. The man had been tried by
Beltano for an act of mutiny. and I my
self had been one of those who had
agreed upon his death.
The knowledge that Beltano contem-
plated a similar end for me did not pre-
vent my sleeping soundly, however: al
though I took precautions against a sur
prise. l barred my door and placed q
loaded revolver within reach.
1t was a needless precaution SO far as
that night was concerned, but when I
rose early / slipped the weapon into my