The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-20

| He and Pepita had been discussing Masita's escape. They had already made plan. On the following morn | ing. while l was sleeping, they pro- posed to let Masita leave the fort and nave boat ready for Julius to carry her across to the mainland Masita herself had suggested the outlines and had broached 1t to her brother telling him that the two were willing to help. vetoed 1t at once. Tt ia madness, Breva- How can you and Pepita face Beitano's anger? You ares like chil- dren. Masita must cross in the night, | or she would be seen and stepped. It who must answer to Beitano. Let 1t be tonight"
 | Julius is hard to persuade. He Is afraid of Beltano; and Agapa has made him promise to see her again" he re- piled. 1 That she may learn all that passes between the two. She will help, not hinder the thing. She has already sounded me; but Julius is a coward and his fear is at the bottom of this | himT
 He is more coward than fool" TO- piled Breva shrewdiy. And if he gains so much as hint of Agapa's real purpose. he win not stir finger" Then nothing can re done tonight. and we must see what the mbrnin . brings; but you must do nothing with : out me. Breya." and with that sent | him away. When he relieved me the next morn ins l repeated my injunction that the attempt must be made at night. and went 70 my hut. slept only an hour or two and soon found that Julius va . very lukewarm on Masita's account.
 Agapa brought me my breakfast. and as she set it down she asked sharpIv:
 who has been talking to Julius about me ana Beitano, Beppo7 Do owe
 Why should meddle in your mat tersY I have not spoken. What is
 You needed what I said yesterday. about Masita. He told me what had been arranged and that she shouId leave today with him. But he swears ne VIII not go unless marry him
 Settle your own quarreis. Aeapa. I nave enough of my own to worry me-"
 What will you do, now about Ma. sita?' she asked after a pause It was not to be thought of that I should tell her my plans. so went on with my meal in silence.
 Beitsno will be here the day after tomorrow with the priest, Beppo." I looked up and nodded. My silence irri- tated her. Don't you mean to tal any thing" she asked angrily. I smiled. 'Am priest to marry you and Julius? Or how shall force him when even you cannot? He IS not deed?"'
 Do you mean to do anything7" she asked again vehemently.
 Why lose your temper with me be- cHHEA Ar rwrt.- -oss
 Her face famed with passion and her lips went up in her distorting snarl T will find the means" she said vIc- iously; and when have found 1t. re- member you have driven me to it." and she flung away in a rage.
 Her temper, good, or, i'll, was nothing 70 me, so ! finished my breakfast and thought over the position. I was con- ndent that she would try to persuade Julius to go forward with the matter: and so 1t proved.
 Before going to the old fort deemed 1t discreet to see Molta and to let her understand that. although was still sullen on account of what she had sai6 the hours of reflection had in a great aesree cooled my anger. remained with her some time: but in this way succeeded in avoiding any love-making. When I reached the fort about noon. I found Julius closeted with Masita and they remained togethe CT for A couple of hours. He was in sullen, ugly tenn per when he came from her: and on my seeking to question him, he told me grufiy to mind my own business
 I was on my way to Masita to find out how matters stood, when Pepita met me with message from her--that she wished me not to go to her. "She is in great distress. Julius will not help, She thinks you know nothing of the attempt. and Is afraid that in her pres ent mood you will discover and pre- vent it."
 The fellow is a coward" I replied.
 She stiil hopes he VII help; and if anything is done it will be this evening, Beppo."
 The boat shall be ready" I said. q will see to that"
 I was getting very uneasy about the whole affair. There were too many in 1t to make it possible to keep the se- cret; and seemed to scent trouble ;n could during the afternoon to forward the project and Kept careful watch upon, Julius.
 Later in the day Agapa sought me out to tell me that all had been arrang- ed. She declared that she had prevailed with Julius, and that if I would but keep out of the way he would take
 
 But there was something in her man ner as she told the story which did not ring true. She was so eager to have me believe her, so unlike herself when speaking of Masita, so solieitous that I sh ould not be mixed up In the thing to my hurt with Beltano, that could feel sh e had some hidden purpose; and was lying to hide from me.
 determined to relieve Breva earlier than usual that evening and was start ing for the fortress when Molta called me into the farmstead. She wished to carry our own peace negotiations a step farther. I found. and she was urging a complete reconciliation when Julius entered.
 He had been drinking. saw that at a glance. His eyes were b1eared and he lurched as he came in and smiled vacu- ously I'm going to be married. Mol ta," he said with leer. "Agapa and are going to the mainland to be mar red"
 "When?" asked Molta. the same ques- tion was on my tongue.
 Tonight. She's gone to Masita now to tell her. She said as they're going to be sisters they must get to know he added with the inane grin of intoxi- cation.
 waited to hear no more. Agapa's eagerness that should keep out of the way began to assume a very sinister aspect now. There was some devil ment afoot. I knew that she had DO more intention of becoming this drum ken little fools wife than I had. and che had only told him the tale in order