The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-29
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>%--~-~~n 4 V. l 4 f piled. Come back with me to her | now and help me, make peace. I have been . fool but see my folly. It Is not too late7'
 "ffulic. what is Breva doing7" he broke in. catching sight of Masita. who, after hesitating in great embar- rassment had made a detonr and was pasgina at sufficient distance to mis- lead him in the dimming light 'Do you mean it 10 too later" l cried earnestly, grabbing him by the arm and peerfna anxiously Into his face 'Is that why you break off sor' This had the desired effect. He turned from Masita directly and smiled. an overture7 am glad to be friendly again
 "Then let us ko to Moita." and in this way I got h.rn to turn back. Masita, seeing us walk of together. was utterly at q loss what to do and where to go. and began to fear that which would betray our plan. When stead stopped abruptly. T am shamefaced. Beltano. tried to speak to Moita today and she avoided me. Go you first te her and prepare her for my coming. I cannot humble my- self to her; if is not my nature; and if come upon her unprspared she may say that which will rouse my anger
 she loves you toe we'll. Bsppo. Have no fear of that"
 NO. no. Go first, Women are not like men in these matters and harder to win round"
 He had no suspicion of my good fa:th and laughter. "She will fail into your arms, man. Her heart has been hsayy these days past" But was stubborn. and in his new born desire to please me. he yielded to my wish and hurried on to the farnnstead.
 As soon as his back was turned, I sauntsred. across to Masita, and as he passed out of sight I rushed her down to the beach.
 unsarthinK the gear had hidden the previous night, flung 1t into the boat. and helping. Masita .n in silence, bade her lie down out of sight as I cast off aud piled the oars with might and main, making straight out to sea.
 could afford to run the risk of dis eovefy, for there was no other boat on the island. The priest had gone on in mine. and Ahmet had taken the sec ond when despatched for Beracci's sub st.tute.
 I had rowed sone 800 yards or so, and was setting the sail when shout from the island proclaimed that some- one had seen us; and saw two or three men run down to the landing stage.
 told Masita not to show herself, and when I had the sail hoisted laid a course we'll to the north to avoid the risk of meeting Ahmet on his re- turn, We slipped through the water at a good speed, and the island bluffs be- gan to grow indistinct before deemed 1t prudent for Maslta to move.
 She sat a long time in silence; and observed. not without smile, that she covered her lap with sail cloth, let- ting it fall round her like a skirt.
 You are not sailing for the mainr land" she said at length. Where are you taking meT'
 "Ahmet has crossed in search of a priest to take Beracci's place and | am keeping away to avoid mseting him. shall land you at the usual place. I shall mot play you yfalse,ss
 "should not believe you, after, thig2 You have forced me-" ss tTi ! She spoke almost as if had forced the admission from her; but 1t was good hearing none the less. I made mo, reply, and again there was long silence.
 Curiosity made her break the silence. T did distrust you when l saw you
  saying7 You were talking together very earnestly"
 '.iIe came upon me unexpectedly. We had cuarreled overnight and again this morning, and to prevent his going to the fort and so discovering what had occurred there. I told him would let him have bis way and wished to be reconciled"
 "IIave his way In what?"
 'Tn what had caused the quarrel
 ''Why had you quarreled? Was 1t about me?"
 'Does 1t matter7"
 "Yes.I wish to know. I have, pur-
 T helped to send the priest away from the island last night and he threatened me in consequence."
 "Helped? Who else was with your"
 "Agapa. It will do you no good to learn all that has passed"
 "That dreadful woman. Why did she help?"
 "She loves Beltano, and was once to have been welded to him."
 "It Is galling to be under an iobliga- tion to such a woman"
 aShe did not do 1t to help you. but to bafle him." .
 She thought this over and said pres- ently: ",rhen you blinded Beltano with a promise of reconciliation? He wsH kill you if you are ever in his power again. It is horrible" and she clasped ner hands and sighed.
 I was busy altering the course of the boat then and made no answer.
 ''I wish had not come" she ex- claimed suddenly. "What are you Bo- ing to do when we land?"
 "see this thing through and then de- c:de." cried quickly.
 you, sisnorina."
 T don't mean that Why should you say such a thing7 I mean on your own account"
 T promised you the opportunity of keeping your VOW. and I mean to keep
 'eWhy do you always remind me of that?" she cried vehemently. elasping her hands to her face,
 Tt is no wish of mine to distress you"
 she sat with her hands to her face for many moments and then spoke abruptly and with much vehemence. You know I could never keep that VOW after this. Does 1t please you to humiIiate me7'
 "God forbid. I replied earnestly,
 You do 1t. What. is all this but humiliation7 Am I not beholden to you for my escape? Is 1t not you. the man I Rwore to accuse. who has been my only friend in all this trouble? Have you not forced me to trust you against every instinct and feeling in my heart9 Is it not humiliation that r k1 a nd