The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1908-03-17
MY LOST SELF

81 a. W. MARcY4lMoNr

d NOoMttM0S8sl #
Why was the man so bent on my
capture? Had Breva been right In his
snrmise that all that scene on the
night of Vicino's death had been plan
ned to secure my arrest on the
charge of murder? Had II been by him
that i had been struck DOWN. II 50.
who had killed vicino?
II vicino himself had struck me, then.
as had said TO Molta. II was q sheer
impossibiiity that / could have killed
him afterwards. Yet II l had killed
him. who had struck me afterwards.
and whv?
The only answer to these perpiexing
questions all fitted with the theory that
Giuseppe himself. or Drdko. his Arm
friend and ally. had attacked me. 1t
was possible. Of course. that ! had
killed vicinc and that the two had
afterwards rendered me unconscious so
that l should fall into the hands OF the
police
But against that there was the fact
that Beltano's orders had been clear
and definite--that Vicino should he
captured. not killed: and Beltano him
self had admitted that I was not like
~ to go counter to his order.
The more thought round the thing
the more certain became nv conviction
that Giuseppe or his ally had done the
Ill deed. and finding that I had no rec
affection of what had passed had put II
all on me. But how to discover the
truth and secure the proof OF 1t banned
me-
went over the ground again and
again many times. but without seeing
any means OF obtaining this proof !.
Molta could perhaps get IT, but to trust
to her involved the continuance Of this
hypocritical business of lovemaking---a
positively detestable prospect
All through the hours of my watch
that night I chewed the problem;
harassed by the difficulties and mad
dened by the thought that until the
proof was in my hands. | must re-
main in Masita's eyes an assassin. 1t
had become my one consuming desire
to clear myself to her; to ouench the
light of alternate fear and loathing
with which she looked upon nae, and
implant in It's place those signs OF
trust and confidence for which nv heart
was hungering.
When Breya returned in the morning
/ gave him the little packet had
brought from Masita's house and the
letter from her brother. saying that
Pepita was to hand them to Masita
without a hint that had fetched them.
A few hours sleep refreshed me and
by noon was at the farmstead. Mol
ia met me with black looks; and OBJ
served that Agapa had taken Pepita's
place in the house.
Molta let me proceed with my meal
in silence for q time and then said:
"You were away from the island yes
terday, BeppoT
YES" nodded.
why did you go and wheref'
"Beltano would have wished IL. You
refused Masita's request. complied
with it."
who rules here in Carlos placer
mo one rules. Molta. Don't be un-
reasonable"
II would not believe it when they
told me-" she burst out anErily. Has
that woman bewitched your"
"Ah, you have been listening to
Agapa again. see you have her in
the house now in Pepita's place. You
are always trying to quarrel with me
since you began to heed her gossip"
1T is you who make the cause for
| quarrelIing, Beppo. You think YOU can
| treat me as you please. T0n cannot.
: You ahall not. What did You DO yes.
| terday on the mainlandg"
You saw the list OF things Masita
needed. I fetched them: and found
| that young fool. julius, and told him
his sister wished him to come here"
That was not all. You are trying
to blind my eyes. Whom else did you
| seer
1 smiled Some Of the carabinieri.
I had long talk with their captain. a
| man named Murito."
you admit 1t then. You went to seek
their help for that woman, They told
me as much. could not believe It.
| You went to betray u.s."
"Ah. your anger dulls your wits,
Molta." 1 replied impatiently. Some
one sought to betray me- News was
given to these police tha4 i was over
4 there and only by hairsbreadth ! es-
capped capture. suspect Giuseppe and
Drake. But the thing failed and here
am again"
II don't believe you"