The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-04-15

picking wild strawberries were talk
ing that the day after tomorrow the
people vote. They have meeting this
evening in Bocognano. listened from
behind rock and heard them"
But Barnes is not so easy about his
captured bride; he steps out of the
cabin and finds the wind has died
away, the mist has cleared with the
rapidity usual to mountain storms
He steps in and says anXiously to
Marina: The evening is very clear.
You know my anguish-do you think
you have strength to venture down the
heights, assisted by Tomasso and me,
and enter your own village?"
Certainly, am refreshed. Another
cup of tea and l will go with you"
cries the girl so eagerly that Barnes
puts grateful eyes upon her. for he
knows it is her spirit more than her
strength that produces her assent to
further journey.
They are making hurried prepare
tions to leave the cabin. Barnes is
bending over the fire, brewing Ma
rina's tea-their guns, and even the
Americans revolvers are lying in their
belt on the pile of boughs near the en-
trance. Tomasso is saying: will
not astonish the men who swore
vendetta against you for my death! l
who am alive and-and-' when sud
denly Tomasso stops. There is rat
tie in his throat that causes Barnes to
look hurriedly up. Marina has retreat
ed to the corner of the cabin and Mon
aldis eyes are full of horror.
Just across the fire from him stand
two dark mountaineers. Rough, I'M
dressed sheepskins cover their brawny
shoulders; long guns are in their
hands and stilettos in their belts. One
is a big, powerful looking rufian; the
other slighter, but his brown limbs
1.-THE and sinewy. The eyes of both
are shining malevolently in the blaze.
Corp di diavolo, this is a rare catch
you have made, hermit bandit, whose
name we do not know" chucllles the
bigger of the two men; this Ameri-
cano whose pockets Saliceti declared
were lined with gold, he whom we
waited for and missed in the vale be-
low"
"Ah, you are Rochini and Romano,
says Barnes quietly.
AYE, that we are. And who is this
woman of the beautiful eyes? Hand
thy captives over to US, hermit bandit.
Divide your spoils with us and we will
| save you the trouble of cutting the
mans throat" jeers the slighter mis-
creant.
AS for the woman, the fire tells me
she is very lovely both as to limbs and
| face, and l have better use for her, y
outlaws the bigger man.
And never was Marina more beauti-
full. She confronts the ruffians with
undaunted mien, and says command
ingly: Fellows, dare to lay your
hands on me and the whole of Bocog-
nano will hunt you down. The Bella
coscia will destroy you. am Marina
Paoli"
"Oh, she is merry with us, this girl
who runs after foreign gentlemen
| Now we will show her that Corsican
| kisses are as good as those of this
Americana"
Brutality they draw near to her. AS
the girl draws back from the contain
mating clasp of the monsters, Tomas
so, with savage cry, and uplifted
stiletto, stands between.
In a second the old man will be dead
| 1x~; it,
their prey. Marina's undaunted eyes
turning In appeal to the American, see
with establishment that he makes nc
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 o.
boughs he seizes the belt holding hi.
two revolvers.
He has the gold! After hint" erie.
Rochini.
We'll knife him in minute!" yell:
Romano, and the two, cooking thei
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 tn,
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.enter
and says alphabetically: II knew
wouldn't have time to grab my gun
and shoot before they'd knife me, SO
initiated the trick of Jerry, the Den
yer barkeeper, and ran away till
could get my weapons ready"
A moment later he says: Come!
and taking Marina carefully in hi
arms, whispers: Turn your face iron
them" and steps over the dead me-
lying in the entrance of the cabin.
Behind him, Tomasso, following, cal
rying the Americans rifle, is saying
"Oh, you will be worshiped in thi
commune for this. So many poor me
have been butchered, so many poo
women have been carried away to tn
H.. IL.