The Elbert County tribune., 1908-03-26

Brutaiiy they draw near to hse. As
the girl draws back from the contain
mating clasp of the monsters, Tomas
SO, with savage cry, and uplifted
stiletto, stands between.
In second the old man will be dead
under their knives and the brave girl
their prey. Marina's undaunted eyes.
turning in appeal to the American, see
with astonishment that he makes no
move to aid her, but is abjectly squirm-
ing toward the cabin door. Suddenly
she utters a gasp of despair and sigh
of contempt; this great pistol shot is
running timidly away. flying out Of the
cabin, though as he passes the pile OF
boughs he seizes the belt holding his
two revolyers.
He has the gold! After him!" cries
Rochini.
"We'll knife him In a minutel" yells
Romano, and the two. cooking their
guns, fly after the bastard American.
But as they reach the door, the mo-
ment their athletic forms are outlined
by the blaze of the fire. two quick,
sharp pistol reports come from the
outside. and Rochini and Romano
without even a cry, fall to the earth,
inert and dead.
The smoke of Barnes revolvers is
sues from them as he quietly re-entsrs
and says apologetically: Il knew
wouldn't have time to grab my guns
and shoot before they'd knife me, SO
initiated the trick of Jerry, the Dea-
yer barkeeper, and ran away till l
could INV waa mons raa1,xp
moment later he says: "Come,"
and taking Marina carefully in his
arms, whispers: Turn your face from
them" and steps over the dead men
lying In the entrance of the cabin.
Behind him, Tomasso. following, car.
rying the Americans rifle, is saying:
"Oh, you will be worshiped in this
commune for this. So many poor men
have been butchered. so many poor
women have been carried away to the
mountains by these dead devils"
But the reports have drawn others
to the spot. AS Barnes steps over the
dead men lying in the entrance OF the
cabin, he suddenly says by heaven,
here are more of them!" puts Marina
down and would draw his revolvers
were he not seized by three athletic
young fellows who rise silently from
the shadows about them.
A clear, commanding voice remarks:
mo more of Rochini and his fellows.
You have saved us the trouble of their
killing. We are the Bellacoscia. Your
pistols. stranger. have relieved us of
the execution of these ruffians we we're
xuha
on the honored name of bandit"
And Tomasso is crying, Antonio
Bonelli," to man of noble bearing,
who, carbine in hand, comes into the
cabin followed by eight stalwart young
men, all armed as he is
But the young men fear the super
natural and stand back, their eyes
cleaning, and one shudders: "Tis
the ghost of old Monaldi, killed by De
Bellocs troopers two weeks ago." For
a moment they would retreat, but their
leader laughs at them: otis flesh
and blood that Is kissing my hand
And old Tomasso says: you know
how well the troopers shoot. Do you
think they'd hit a man at 200 yards
hiding behind rock in the gloom of
the morning?"
But the flashing-eyed man orders:
Stand back, while question this
stranger who has done Bocognano q
service tonight"
Marina has risen, murmuring: AN
tonic Bonelli!"
Gran Dio! Mademoiselle Paoli,"
says the man. and gallantly sinks upon
his knee and kisseS devotedly the fair
hand the girl extends to him. After
a moment he continues most emphati-
cally: 1T was with sorrow that Cor
sica heard that you had forgotten the
oath of the vendetta In the arms of
the English officer who killed your
brother"
Cro BE CoNTINUED.)