The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-07
NfContinued.l

fCOUttuue0.t
 You can at least take one precau- tion. Leave this place and go to the old fort Pepita and I will secretly carry there a store of provisions"
 It was both a shrewd and kindly forethought, and I thanked him for 1t, and resolved to do as he said.
 was busy with the few preparations I had to make. when l saw Molta com ing from the farmstead in the dircc- tion of my hut. Her black looks were storm signals which were easy to read; and as could not avoid the interview I deemed it best to appear to court 1t. So I arose and went to meet her.
 "we must have an understanding. Beppo." she said without any word of greeting. "I have the right to de- mand an explanation. of course."
 "Of what?"
 -Of your conduct. What else? I am not the woman to be lightly spurned and tricked as you have spurncd and tricked me"
 T have not spurned you.
 Did you not send Carlo to me with a lie that you wished to be reconcited and that you were ready to let things be between us as they had been; and didn't you tell that lie in order to get Masita away?'
 sYes But that was not tricking or spurning you. It was Beitano trick ed"
 "But it was about me you fed " she retorted, fiercely. "It was my name you dared to play with, and my love for you. And for the sake of another woman! When think of 1t, my blood is like fire."
 sOn my word I intended no iasult to you nor to make light of any feeling you have for me-" -tx urr ed with an angry toss of the head. as if repudiating my explanation. "Is it for that woman's sake? Have you still some purpose to serve for herr
 T have come back for my own pur- pose. Molta: but what that is will keep to myself. This matter of Ma sita is between Beltano and me only. l told him I would be no party to fore ing her to wed and 1t was"
 swhat is she to you?' she burst in. vehemently.
 s.If you will not listen to me. why ask an explanation?"
 "What is she to you?' she repeated, even more angrily.
 "she was to me a woman in distress and helped her. She"
 Don't lie to me. You love her. That is why you helped her. Are you afraid to own it?'
 Y have not lied to you, Molta."2
 You are lying now. You do loTs her. and you are afraid to own 1t to my face. You lied to Carlo when vnu said you wished to be reconcI,ed with me: and # you would lie to him. you would lie to me now. You do love her"
 My patience is out. Think what you will" said angrily and turned away.
 she caught my arm and stayed me. @You shall not go in that way. You shall answer me. It is not safe to play with me The men here are clamoring for your life; Carlo has decreed your death; and there is but one way in which you can be saved: I will send for a priest so that Carlo shall find we are welded when he returns. Bur if you have let that woman win your heart from me, you shall die.''
 q have no other answer" repeated biuntIy as I shook of her hold and re- turned to my hut.
 But the incident had far greater results than I had expectel As she ciung to my arm we ha1 been seen; and Inc news spread like fire among the others, that Molta and | were recon ciled.
 I heard of 1t first from Luigi who plumed himself upon the fact thaS he had counselled it, and congratulated me upon having taken the advice So promptly. Tt will save your life, Bep- DO. Molta will not let Beltano harm you now. I am as glad as are some of the others"
 Agapa said much the same. but add ed a warning. Giuseppe will but hate you the more. Be on your guard. There is trouble brewing; or I know noth- ing of him or of those with him"
 | let them talk as they would and held my own counsel. And that af- ternoon I carried my few belongings fo tha old fort. For the rest of that day and the next I held aloof from Molta, mingling with the men at their work in the fields and trying to glean some of the information l desired so keenly.