Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-15
CHAPTER XIII.
"If I Could ONLY Trust You"

| The moments while I stood, spellbound
| in fear, listening for some sound to tell
me whether Masita was alive or that the
desperate Greek had carried out her muir
derous purpose, were among the most ter
rible of my life. The suspense searched
me though and through. / stood like a
man turned to stone: powerless to move.
unable to think, gripped by a viselike
paralysis of fear.
Slowly rage began to take the place Of
fear. Rage against the fend who had
taken Masita's life. She should pay the
price. That l vowed IL I had to take her
life in return with my own hands. And
then my blood turned to fire, and l
clenched my hands and gritted my teeth
in the fierce yearning for revenge.
Suddenly the spell was broken.
A woman laughed. A laugh. soft, low.
haunting, devilish, inspired by gioating
triumph and pregnant with venomous
hate.
How 1 welcomed that laugh: For it
told me that Masita lived.
1t was from Agapa, and the next in-
slant / was at the entrance of Masifa
room. The door stood ajar, and as
reached it Agapa spoke.
AYE. pray with all your soul and
strength. 1t will not help you now. I
told you you should die. as ] swore to the
man you have bewitched. You she devil.
But your prayers touch me no more than
your craven pleading did just now
l understood then that, dangerous AZ
she was. the Greek was yet too much Of
a woman to resist the chance Of gloating
over the woman she hated. Her taunts
had saved Masita's life, for they had
given me time to come to the rescue.
Agapa was standing with her dagger
uplifted and from her attitude ! judged
that Masita, whom I could not see. was
on her knees in prayer close beside her.
to act. If I rushed in the weapon might
be thrust home. for Agapa was facing the
door and would see me the instant l en-
tered.
l held my breath a second in suspense.
and then the Greek moved back pace
and turned to pick up crucifx from
table close by.
1t was my chance. I sprang across the
room and before she had recovered from
her surprise / had wrested the dagger
from her hand Masita jumped to her
feet at the same moment and, after
swift glance at me. fell into chair.
For a moment in her baffied fury be-
Iieve Agapa was inclined even to risk
struggle with me. She stared at me, her
eyes cleaning viciously. and her lips
parted with her. disfiguring snarl like
wild, beast robbed Of its prey.
you had better 60. Agapa." l said.
She kept her eyes on me and came for
ward step, half crouching, as IL ready
to spring at me. You had better CO."
repeated.
Am l dog to do your bidding,
Beppo?'
You heard me- Co." 1 cried, sternly.
stepping toward her.
She fell back a pace and then burst
into a mirthless laugh. Your new lover
has saved you" she said to Masita.
Hold your tongue" l answered. furi-
ously, lest I forget that. devil as you
are, you are still woman
She folded her hands across her heav-
ing bosom and, throwing back her head.
laughed again and stared at me. Strike
to her that she may see what sort of hero
it is she has bewitched. oh, you love
her. You know that, as do We all. Since
she came to the island what thought
have you had for Molta? Why, but for
her sake, have you quarreled with the
woman you had sworn to wed? Have We
not all seen the change In you? Your
stopped there, shrinking from the wrath
blazing in my eyes. My evil reputation
for violence stood me in good stead at
that moment, for it silenced her.
Without a word l gripped her by the
arm and thrust her toward the door. and
without a word she obeyed the unspoken
command She backed out OF the room
the floor below. ! followed, and. as she
reached the outer door, she crouched into
a corner I'm dread of my violence.
/ found the door unlocked and, ninEing
it open, pushed her. out. shot home the
bolts and returned to tell Masita that the
peril was passed.
ITO be continued next sunday1