Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-12-16

II HAVE COME TO OFFER YOU A CHRIST
MAS GIFT
Of the fast receding figure of the man
who was beginning to ascend the
mountain.
mo more! Nevair more?' he Kissed
mysteriously.
Janet was speeches. with astonish-
ment She was familiar with the lads
heroics, but really this was something
out of the ordinary.
''Dis night-a" continued Beppo in a
sibiuant whisper she mus'-a dier'
"Now, what Go you mean" Janet
demanded sternly, with the evident
intention Of getting at the bottom Of
the matter. "Sit right down in that
chair and tell me without any more
nonsense"
For a reply Beppo drew his hand
across his throat and gurgled sugges-
lively.
Janet was beginning to be seriously
alarmed. She knew that the young
ster was emotional to the verge Of alb
surdity and that he was not to be de
pended upon in an emergency. She
had discovered that he had a passion
for exaggeration, but it seemed to her
that there must be something real
about this.
"Beppo, she commanded in a tone
that left no alternative, "do as I tell
your
Thus brought to terms, the young
Sicilian whispered a tale Of cOntem-
plated assassination and robbery that
would have been a veritable boon to
one of the operate maestro Of the last
generation. Three men of the noun
tain gang, be declared, had plotted to
murder and rob John Rossiter on that
very Christmas night, knowing that
he would be alone in his Office on the
mountain. Beppo gave all the details
of the dastardIy business with the
most ingenious explicitness and SEEM
ed to expect Janet to share his enthu-
siasm over the removal Of her enemy.
Janet did not stop to sift the mat
ter 1t was sufficient for her that the
man she loved was threatened by a
danger which she might avert. She
did not hesitate a moment. Distrust-
ing Beppo, she feigned satisfaction at
the prospect of so soon being rid Of
her enemy and sent the boy to the vii
lage on an errand. AS soon as he was
out of sight she left her house and be-
gan to ascend the mountain as quickly
as she could.
! Half an hour later she stood at the
open door of Rossiter's cabin and face
to face with its occupant.
"Janet," be asked her doubtingly,
''are you actually here?"
Eyes" she returned breathlessly and
without looking at him at all 81 have
come to offer you a Christmas gift"
He looked at her amazedly, but did
not speak,
Il have come to offer you your life"
II don't understand; really do not,
Janet" he said helplessly.
Then she told him Beppo's story.
He heard it to the end without a
word Of comment. When she had fin
ished he sighed long and deeply.
Il am disappointed, be said, with
curious little Quaver in his voice. 81
am disappointed in my Christmas pres
ent. hoped thought perhaps It
might be something better"
''What is better than lifeT'
"You are-far better" he declared
audaciously.
Janet knew that the long conflict
was ended, and the knowledge lifted
the weight from her heart.
eff you really believe anything of
that sort, john she began.
II forgot to tell you that there isn't
word of truth in your precious Bep-
pos story" John said as they were de-
scending the mouptain. why. the
very men he named are In the village
lookup at the present moment-too
much holiday, you know. saw them
as 1 came up from the train. They are
al good workmen, and in the morning
shall 60 down and pay their fines
and oaf fhoD1 OYyf ~ limbo