Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22
CHAPTER XIV.
Beltano Returns.

| / was too angry at Masita's lack of
trust to be able to think or care about
what was to happen, and. crossing my
arms, leant back against the rock, sullen
| and Indifferent.
| But Agapa came to the rescue. 81
have thought, Beppo. Send Masita
back to the fortress. Quick" And she
turned to meet the others
| I paid no heed to her words. but Pepita
hurried Masita away before the rest had
seen her and then returned to us. Let
them do what they pleased. I cared moth
ing. had done my utmost, and had
failed I had finished with the matter.
And then 1 saw Agapa's plan.
| Julius. Julius." she called. and rush
| ing up to him as he stood at Moltas side.
she broke out into torrent of reproaches
for what she called his delay. and de-
! clared that he was to have taken her to
| the island. that the boat was ready for
| their departure and that she had come to
| the fort in search of him. She would
| with an appeal to the young fool to say
| whether 1t was not the truth that they
| two were to have crossed together.
| Then Breva, led on by Pepita. took a
! hand. They began to jeer at Agapa. say
| ing some very nasty things about her
lovers fickleness She replied holly, and
| in minute there was such babel of
| tongues that the matter degenerated into
a fierce quarrel. In which all save Julius
and / took part with noisy vehemence.
| He stood looking from one to the other.
not knowing what to make of the affair,
| until Agapa threw up her hands and
| shouted to the others to hold their pea ce
and let him decide whether or not she
spoke the truth.
| The silence which followed tried him
| than the and he glanced
| from Agapa to Molta and back to Agapa
not knowing what to answer. In the
pause Drake pushed through to his sis
| ters side why don't you answer, Jul
| lius?" he said, with an ominous frown.
This turned the scale. What Agapa
says is the TRUTH he muttered
'"rhen what was the meaning of the
tale you told me?'' cried Molta. angrly.
| He started nerVously. We'll, Beppo
told me-
whats t.,at?'' l burst in. ffercely. Are
| you going to try and drag me into your
! silly love quarrels?''
He told me you were going to escape
ready 1t was evident from this that
| in his eagerneSs to rouse Molta he had
lied in order to appeal to her jealousy.
Agapa uttered shrill cry of rage. ''Oh,
Julius. how dared you? Did not you
yourself urge me to get the boat? Have
you lost your senses that you lie like
this?" and with that she launched into an
| other flood of passionate language. the
! pith of which was that she would never
believe in him again after this deceit.
| At this Drake. as much fooled as the
| rest by the scene. laid his hind Oh his
knife and stepped toward Julius, who
| backed through the others and bolted in
| a panic. Drake started in hot pursuit
| and Agapa. with cries that there must be
no violence, went after them, calling to
| the others to follow her.
| Molta stayed. however. She was in a
very bad temper. and although she had
| not understood the meaning of what had
| passed. her suspicious had been reused
! jealousy she had been quite ready to be-
| lieve what Julius had said about my
leaving the island. and she had taken
prompt measures to prevent me.
What does all this mean Beppo?'
THAT that young fool will be lucky if
he gets through the night without trou-
| BILE. These Greeks are unpleasant people
to fool with l replied with a smile
| II don't mean that. l mean your part"
"Oh, l shan't touch the young jack
| ass"
She stamped her foot very impatiently
| ANSWER me- Did you plan to leave the
island tonight with Masita?"
| Are you serious. Molta?" l asked, with
| a note of incredulity.
| Answer me- she said again, very
| sharply.
| ''Oh, yes it's all true. Of course" 1
said, with laugh. II was going to take
| her across to the mainland and then go
| with her to the carabinieri in order that
she might keep her VOW and accuse me
of Vicinos murder. l am just that sort
of a fool. and just longing to be imprs-
oned and convicted. On my soul. MoIta
| l believe you think 1 am a driveling
| to smoke.
| But Julius said you told him as much -