Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-05-22
CHAPTER x.

The Missing Fragment OF the Letter.
As Graham departs on his errand.
the bereft bridegroom. whose face has
grown deyilish. mutters: by heaven.
there's a gentleman In that house up
there | must see firstl" and darts up
the path TO Lady Chartris's villa. re-
fecting: Her fate must not think
Of! That would unman me My mind
must be clear to save my darling"
As he reaches the door OF the supper
room, Lady Chartris's voice Is say
ing, Dear Count Cipriano. abate Your
interest In your late brothers ward
and have another glass OF wine to
again toast the BRIDE
But the bridegroom's awful face as
he enters stops revelry. Marina with
little shrek rises from sofa on
which she has been seated beside Clip
riano Danella, and Edwin. springing
up, says: What's happened?"
In all his fears and all his agony,
into the vengeful husbands mind as
looks upon the party, one mighty con-
sideration springs, that saves DANIEL
las life: by heaven, this mans re-
naming here indicates his innocence.
II Cipriano had aught To do with the
abduction OF my wife, he'd scarcely
dare to stand unconcerned here be-
fore me" For the counts gaze 10
carelessly not turned to him. but ling
ers admiringly upon Marina.
The easy bearing Of Danella con-
tinues as Barnes briefly tells his tale.
though once or twice he raises his
thin Italian eyebrows and rolls his
dark orbs In sympathy
"Dio MIC. 1t is as feared" ex-
claims the count sorrowfully. They
have seized your lovely BRIDE
"Oh, II they're drowning poor Enid
now!'' cries Maud, with a childish
morbidness.
"Oh, | do not imagine any injury
will come Immediately to the young
lady. Lately, in the vendetta, women
who do not bring about the tragedy
are spared remarks Cipriano quite
sympathetically though his glance
rests malevolently upon Marina TIL
her passionate beauty seems to soften
his austerity. But in Bocognano
imagine they wish visit from you.
Mr.. Barnes, to rescue your bride he
continues dryly. You see, in Corsica,
a native jury would look much more
leniently than continental one upon
the death OF the vendetta. That's only
my surmise, but ! am quite confident
it's the correct one"
Thank you, count" says Barnes,
you have told me just what / wanted
to know-the location Of my loved
onel" Then his voice becomes stri-
dent; he remarks grimly: Your
friends want visit from me in Cor
sica-they shall have one." To this
he adds eagerly: "Danella, come over
with me to the island"
Mon cher Monsieur Barnes" says
Danella, though ! would willingly aid
you. 1t would not be wise to go with
you to Corsica. Should III befall you
in that island. you might blame me. OF
whom you have already had, ! am
sorry to say, suspicion. AS | said be-
fore, my poor brother is dead. ! med
die In this affair no more. | remain to
soothe the Lady Chartris in Nice"
Thank Cod" calculates Prunella,
sentimentally seizing Danella's hand
Yes, will stay" remarks the count,
heroically.
Suddenly Marina starties them all.
She says dominantly: "No one should
go to Corsica but me. In the home OF
my fathers and my kindred--they Will
believe me when / tell them there Is
no cause for vendetta against my
friends. l can save your bride, dear
Burton, and bring her back to you.
My words VIII have weight with all in
Bocognano.s
1t would be most unwise," dissents
Danella shudderingly. Have they not
declared the vendetta even against
you. Marina? Does not Bernardo Sa-
iiceti sweag that you. by your arts. pro-
duced the death of the father OF the
girl. Etheria, he is about to marry.
old Tomasso Monaldi's daughter"
'MonstrousiP cries the girl mourn
fully. who dares to accuse me Of
the death of poor faithful Tomasso.
my foster father who worshiped me-
and whom / adored?" Tears make
her dark eyes tender; but she con-
tinues enthusiastically: "Pah, they
love me-they will not believed My
people even worship the name Of the
Paolis. I'll meet Saliceti and prove to
the whole commune that he les Her
eyes are now those OF Corsican.
And by heaven. I'll go with you to
save my sister," cries Edwin.