The Elbert County tribune., 1908-02-20

more money; that his ship NAV be
wrecked at sea and he has no insur.
ance.
Pay him," mutters Barnes fmpa.
tiently. and hands his pocketbook to
| Graham.
But payment takes some time. the
light of the lantern not being very
good and the italian inspecting every
bill to see its value and again ereedily
imploring for more money, stating
that his men will desert him IL he
gives them not speedy employment.
Give him what he asks" cries Bur
ton again; then pauses and mutters:
Good God!" and springs ON shore,
For a shout has rung out through the
night air from Lady Chartris' villa and
there is terror in 1t, and he knows it
is the voice OF the stout-nerved An
struther. who would not give cry un-
less some sudden and uncanny despair
had come upon him.
The American rushes up the path
and a few steps from the door almost
runs against Edwin. In the darkness
the frenzied men seize each other. for
Anstruther is now as frantic as him
self Recognizing him, Barnes asks:
What's the matter?"
by heaven! Another blow in the
dark! My wife has gone also!"
Marina? Impossible! You have
looked the grounds over? You have
searched the house?"
Here's a note from her. left in her
chamber, begging me to forgive her.
saying it is to save my life"
MY God. what horrible plot is it
that has bereft us both in a moment"
asks Barnes. IF she had only told
you the contents OF that devilish let
ter
The two are in the hall together, in
their anguish. their voices ring out
loudly. A frightened-eyed, short-skirt
ed creature runs to them, and trem-
blingly asks: did you want Marina's
knockout letter very much, Barnsey?
The last part of it?"
"It was perhaps Ends life, perhaps
the life of Edwin's BRIDE
We'll, then, I-I-oh, forgive me!
lied to you. I've got the letter-the
last part of 1t; was going to sell it
to you for marrons glaces-I'll get 1t
for you. 1t is tucked in my lucky
stocking for fear mall see it. 1t said
something about murder! I'll-oh,
don't look at me so awfuli''
Maud flies upstairs and a moment
later dashes back bringing the portion
of the epistle.
AS they try to decipher it's cramped
foreign hand, Lady Chartris, coming
out wildly from her chamber. for now
she fears she will be abducted herself,
and is half crazy with fright, sud
denly. looking over their shoulders.
cries, half shrieking: "Oh. heavens,
Cipriano's writing!"
You are sure?"
81 fear, / fear! Two got three love
notes from him-this looks quite like
his hand"
And the astounded and dismayed
widow wrings her hands, her face
pallid with Jealous chagrin. 81
This is the most crafty, subtIeand
satanic plot against your married hap
piness, Edwin" whispers Barnes. "As
near as l can make out, this deyilish
missive says that Marina must desert
you. her accursed English husband;
then they will spare your life. II she
remains with you, your fate will be
hers. Your safety from death is offer
ed as bribe to your young wife If she
deserts your bed and leaves herself
open to the stilletos of these devils.
If she stays with you and clings to
you. you will be assassinated, even in
her arms"
Then the wife Of my heart has left
me fearing as the attack upon my sis
ters liberty has been successful their
efforts against my life will be equally
so.' shudders Edwin; next cries out
almost angrily: She was mad not
to trust me-"
Marina knew you wouldn't let her
go If she did" suggests Burton more
calmly.
(To BE coNTINUED.)