The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-22
fCntinmed.)

fClntfnuedD
 ~she told me that only a tnons his two since c man had falien sh . scafh .n attempting that path. nS -, h.r lands across her troupieo frow ana then. with an enort as n ss sss i.~a to force herself to utter the woa w., .rr aaSed. -It seems I wrongeo you wheh I thought you had spieo upo" me. .A.t i. not
 T have a broad back. and tna. nsa.sa in the only wrong. You were psIs for ,~v cbar~e and I am answeranle TUT vonr safety. That is why came 8 ssxvhv do you seek to beilttie wua' .,.,, h.va Sone?" she asked with a sus v~etion of irritation. accompanyins .nS words with a shrug and syad Of her mobile lips. fou .o do nj v,v fife and risked your own 70 uo ~. r~ .a,, think | cannot understand Ina., ~ th.t inc obligation is more " y a,, 5ikinr because you pretend otnesM ,s,,,
 CT can understand that 1t hurts you &n own auch a thing to man Wno ,sa. ,rS,, have vowed to accuse. IT you ii bluntIy put. then 1t is iu e,, .s,,. II saved your life and ran s9 ,n ,hinlx ii. or great as you please so .ha. von n [rawn from the first that you ware in danger on the tslano-
 sh. started at this ana sianceI .harr,v st me. q understand that ! belisye. Is that why you insis.sa ,. epo' my being here under LOCK anu T smiled. Infer what you please h.a tc .rswer for your safety"
 ssTo Beltano?r she shot the question at me as if prompted by fresh train of thought, and bent forward eagerly to scan my fact. ,,
 Your safety is everything to me-.
 The answer perplexed her. sne thought a second. Do you mean oe- cause of my VOW to accuse you or Sis- unr Vfeiu0,a death z"
 made no reply to this, and she stood thinking. Then she shook her head. s'Yet if that Greek had had her way, my death would have served you In that. What do you mean by my safe ty? You ventured to cross to the main land too. Why can't you be candidT she waited for me to reply. and when I remained silent she made gesture of irritation. You seek to mystify me. Why? Is it true that in Levaccio you were found by the carabinieri and 'es- caped by passing as an American with Captain Muritog'
 Yes. Who told you7''
 She waived the question aside 'sBut he has been in America. He would know"
 T have also been in America. I speak English well enough!"
 T remember" she said with a shud- der. ''But I don't understand you.
 
 You know. You have heard my name often. Beppo serrano."
 Why do you say my safety is so much to your" she asked after a pause
 You have sworn to accuse me of that crime, and am resolved that you shall have the chance to keep your she stared intsntly into my eyes, as I answered. and again noticed the ex- pxesmion of half hope, half doubt in hers as she thought over the words. Then ahe rose and began to pace the room. stopping suddenly close to me. Did you know of the plan that I should escape from herer <
 And was that why you came hurry ing back hereto prevent :t?''
 s.lyo."
 DO you mean you were going to help ~Yes."
 Although you knew that should that7~
 ~No. I do not expect you to trust me.
 She went back to her chair and sat with her face buried in her hands. guessed the struggle in her mind Torn between her loathing of me as the mur- derer of Vicino. desire to use me to help her escape, inability to believe that would try to save her in the face of her treat. and fear that I had some secret purpose against her, she was at her wits end what to do.
 waited in silence while she fought her way to a decision.
 T must keep my vow" she said at length, her voice strained and agitated.
 Do you wish to become Beltano's wtfe@ asked.
 sT would sooner dIe!'
 ~Will you let me help you to escape?" If could only trust you! know not what to do." deep sigh of de- spair broke from her lips.
 If you cannot, it is hopeless! But as you will" said slowly.
 She did not reply; and in the pause that followed we heard a knock at the door below. She started nervously.
 That may be Pepita," said T will answer for your safety. You need feel have said. I will help you to escape. and will have all in readiness. You can then decide"
 did not wait for her to reply and went down to the door below. It was Pepita. as I had thought; and Breva was with her.
 sent the girl up to Masita and then questioned Breva as to what had pass ed before I had found him. He told me that Julius and Agapa had come to him together as he stood on watch with a message from me that Agapa was to be admitted to Malta, to settle with her the details of her escape. Julius had left; and while Agapa and he had been disputing about the matter, for he had refused to admit her, Giuseppe had stolen upon him and he had been drugged and bound. They had then lured Pepita out, and she declared that both had remained at Brevas post.
 The thing was plain reading enough now, and with my blood on fire. 1 swung of to have a reckoning with Giuseppe.
 CHAPTER XIV.
 The Fight.
 Yt was a general custom among men Of the island to pass a good deal of time sn the evenings, smoking and drinking and chatting in an open space : a- ar.ar.t .f tha hl1te. nd went there