The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-27
CHAPTER XVII. The Plmm oF Eaem0e


 Beitano looked from Agapa to me and back to her as we stood silent for the moment in surprise at his arrival.
 was about to blurt out the truth when she laughed again in his face. "What dog is loose that you would or- der it to heel CarloT' she cried.
 Where is the priest, I say7"
 "You look very handsome in your passion. Carlo" she said in . low taunting voice. You should always be in a rage" and she went close to him.
 With an angry gesture and nut tered curse he waved her off and turn- ed to me. "Beppo?" .Yousa are getting too fond of eufsing me, Carlo. It was not always so." she | said. I saw her object then. To gain time so that pursuit of the priest would l be useless.
 You heard me, BeppoT' Are you going to curse me as well?" Save your oaths for us women, Car To-" she said in a low, caressing tone that galled him so that he lost his self control and raised his hand to strike her. She. did not finch. but held up her face as if daring him. Brave carlol Happy Masita" With a great effort he forced back his passion. Where is Father Be- racci? He came this way with ycu.Y She smiled He is a good man. a holy man, a learned priest He was shocked to find that did not know my part and was teaching me-"
 I think he understood her. did. and shut down a smile. Where Is he?" he repeated. Am to wait the whole night for an answerT
 "A great and holy man." she contin- ued in the same tone. T think he will keep his word--to prompt me what to hnR nd ffa kaN~ \. to be-"
 "Silence!" he broke in sternly. %rll nave no more of this. Tell me, one of you, where he is."
 With provoking deliberation she pre- tended to look all round about us T do not see him. He was more than a little drunk. 1t as true, and perhaps we should seek him where the wine Is. Carlo. Or he may be hiding in fear of your wrath. He is of the sort to be afraid of you"
 In this fashion she dallied with him | until it was certain that the priest would be beyond pursuit. 'Ill have no more of this and will find a means to make you answer" cried Beltano, his patience tried beyond endurance.
 'I will answer you" she said. Said l 1 not that he was a holy man? He was too good for this world. Carlo. You should not bring angels here" Again he lost control of himself and seized her roughly by the arm. I | stepped forward. "Beltano!' I protest ed quickly.
 DO need your help, Beppo?" cried Agapa sharply. Better a blow than a | curse"
 He flung of her arm angrily. and was turning to leave when she stopped him.
 "stay. You shall know the truth now. There will be no marriage to- night. The vile wretch you brought here for that purpose got drunk and tried to kiss me. I threatened his life, ] aye, and would have taken it; but Bep- | DO there saved him and set him adrift In a boat to return to the mainland"
 She certainly looked magnificent ir her defiance of him; her figure drawn to it's full height, her head thrown back and her handsome eyes aglow with dauntless courage.
 For a moment Beltano's rage mas tered him so that he could not speak and I looked for a. furious outbreak and stood ready to interfere. Blu gradually the look in his eyes changed his face relaxed much of its sternness and his hands unclenched. Perhaps h' remembered how he had loved her maybe the knowledge that 1t was hel love for him which had inspired her or perhaps again 1t was only the recog milton that 70 wreak his anger upor her would not serve to remedy the mis chief.
 Whatever his thoughts were, h. curbed his temper and laughed. Well you have your way. and 1t is better one than violence" he said, and turne on his heel.
 Agapa followed him; and I was lief to reflect that. although there would b.
 no marrying that night. nor ever in
 deed. If Beltano could not find a pries with more courage than the sot, Be racci. I had nevertheless lost tn,
 chance of carrying Masita to the main
 land until I could get back my owl
 boat or use one of the others. A few minutes convinced me tha
 would be impossible then. There wer two boats; but the sails and oars O
 both had been removed to the farm
 stead. In this. however. Asapa coul help rns on the morrow; and hayinl