Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08
CHAPTER VII.
Gaoler and Prisoner.


make the best use of the unexpected good
luck that had befallen me.
AS result I sought Beltano early in
the morning II have rued' / declared.
Unless Masita is shut up somewhere 1
will not be answerable for her"
~"Molta has been to YOU. he replied.
with an angry glance.
mo. But she will not bear my pres
ence; how can l then dog her steps If
she is at liberty? And how else can l
assure myself that Agapa and the rest
cannot harm her?'
II know her motive. She will not have
you shut out from the house, and is full
of spite against Masita.'
I shrugged my shoulders. You have
my decision. 1t must be as say. or you
find some one else to guard her, and
swung round to leave him.
Stay Beppo. You must do as you
will She shall keep her room in the
house"
1 shook my head. "Of what use that.
when any one can have access to her?
There is but one place. The old fortress.
Pepita can wait upon her there.
"You would make prisoner of her.
he protested.
Would she not make a convict of me?
Shall l be tender, in the hand toward
her?' 1 cried. with a short laugh of
anger.
AS spoke Masita herself appeared at
the door of the farmstead.
"She must know that l am her gaoler,
Beltano.' l added. Tell her now
ITO the devil with all the business he
ex claimed, impatiently. as he went to-
ward her. They spoke together for a few
moments, Masta evidently protesting Wig
orously against what he said, and then l
Joined them.
1T must be as I say, Masita. There is
no other course" he was saying as l
came within earshot
You have told herr" 1 asked. bluntly
meeting her angry look with a scowl to
the full as sulen and resentful. Il am to
be your saoler, you know.
She drew herself up to her full height
and turned away.
Stop l said. sternly. as l put myself
in her path. Il am tired of this. You
will learn to do what l say
How dare you?" she cried her eyes
flashing defiance
With a smile and gesture of Impotence
1 folded my arms and blocked her way.
'BeltanO." she appealed.
Il would order it otherwise If l could
Masita. but / can trust no other man
but Beppo in this. And your safety is all
in all to me-
"You hear said with a curl of the
lip. Come. l will show you where you
are to remain.
my prison. you mean?'
Prison or shelter, call it what you
like. Come"
At my harsh tone she clenched her
hands, and her very body seemed to
stiffen in resentment as if the devil him.
self should not have forced her to obey.
Her glorious eyes flashed and her bosom
rose and fell under the stress of her in
dignant breath
Come | cried again. and this time
laid my hand on her arm Il am no man
to be fooled by girls whims.
At the touch Of my hand she started
and shuddered. like a colt that feels the
lash for the first time. She wrenched her
wrist from my grasp-I had only taken
light one-and stood trembling and agi-
tated.
Gently. Beppo.' exclaimed Beltano.
l turned on him botly HAS she been
gentle with me? Has she not threat
ened my life? Have 1 sought this task.
or have you forced it on me? | take my
own way, or you will find another for it
Giuseppe or Drake. or whom you will. If
they can guard her life better than l. let
them. But spare me your gently, Bep-
po.' If she will not obey, what is all
this but foolery?''
'Masita," he said. turning to Der.
She still hesitated; the struggle fierce,
rending and almost cruel. Il yield to
you" she said then. pointedly TO him,
turning her back on me.
l laughed. You have yielded. That IS
enough l declared. and l led the way to
the old fortress of which I had spoken.
The island had at one time been the
stronghold of a band of cOrsairs. and
they had built themselves small fortress
on the edge of a jutting cliff The site
had been admirably chosen. The only
approach to il was by a narrow steep
and tortuous path hewn out of the rocks,
while the precipitous cliff. dropping sheer
and almost straight to the shore below.
rendered approach from that side impos-
sible. except at the risk of the climbers
neck.
There were some half dozen rooms on
the two floors of the place, and smaller
one above giving access to the roof where
lookout had been constructed. \ strong
door. heavily bolted and barred guarded
the entrance. and couple of Sits of win
dows cut in the thick walls on the land
side enabled those within to guard against
attack. Had / devised the place myself
it could not better have served my p,ir-
pose. 1t was at once a prison and
shelter. as l had told Masita
She gave a little shudder of dread as
she entered, but recovered her composure
quickly and glanced eurious,y about the
gloomy place. ] judged that she was al
ready calculating the chances of escape
and was chilled to find how remote they
were.
led the way to the floor above, where