Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-07-01
CHAPTER xVII.-contjnued.

Hastily he selects spot with good
line of sight and stands waiting-wait-
ing for the chance; for intervening
vines trouble him, and the foliage of
great orange tree, standing alone in
the garden and midway between the
house and the turret, jumbles the light,
which is only the faint sheen of the
rising moon.
Slightly before this, Marina had
been sitting on the long veranda of
the Corsican farmhouse, the lighted
lamps placing some tinges of ruby in
her dark brown hair and giving color
to the light costume that enhances
her loneliness.
Quietly entering from the house,
Cipriano Danella, costumed in the old
time, romantic Corsican garb, gazes
upon the exquisite girl outlined by the
light costume.
The eagerness of his glance draws
Mrs. Anstruthers eyes to him. She
looks up and says: "Ah, Count Cipri-
ano, it was very noble of you, who
had feared would hate me, to rescue
me from the Lucchese.' At your ad-
vice, l have rested here, but to-mor-
row, notwithstanding the romantic
serenade you have provided for me,
must go on to Bastia."
"Oh, yes, to Bastia," murmurs the
count softly, and stepping nearer, says
suavely, though there is weird sug-
gestion in his voice that somewhat dis
guiets the lady: 1--WE are alone here
in my old farmhouse only old Martha,
the cook, who, far away, will snore till
dawn, and my nephew, Count Enrico."
II haven't seen him." remarks the
girl uneasily.
"Parbleu, you did once, the gentle.
man with the scar upon his face, the
one who delivered the letter that
caused your nerves to jump in the
Marseilles railroad station. Even now
Wis name seems to have an i'll effect
upon you,' for Marina has started up,
and the fiuttering of her light skirts
shows her limbs are trembling.
Mia Madre, was he the man." she
it?' Then some divination entering
her mind, she implores pathetically:
Holy Virgin, no harm has come to
Edwin? Have I not kept the cruel
pact? Have I not deserted my dear
husband? 1t was the promise of that
awful letter that no evil should come
to Edwin if left his arms"
"Ah but you intended to return to
them, bella mia," smiles the gentle
man.
The young wife scarcely heeds the
,nsinuation of the subtle Italian term,
but stammers confused: why do
you think that?"
Ma fol- you were journeying to Bas-
tia to meet your husband, lured there
by telegram l directed to be sent to
you from that place." whispers tie
count significantly.
The telegram was false? Edwin is
not in Corsica? Edwin is safe? Madre
di Dio, l thank thee!" Marina's voice
rings with hope that produces SUI
preme joy in Cipriano's occult mind.
This lady upon whom he has set his
fervid heart, is courage personified as
regards her own safety, but the great
love she bears this Englishman makes
her timid for him. Ills Danella's plan
to use for it's own destruction this gen
erous and mighty love.
That's what l wish to discuss with
you,' he observes quietly, gazing upon
a face to which each wave of passion
adds such loneliness that he cannot
restrain the monstrous proposition on
his tongue. 1t breaks forth. my poor
brother loved you, but you gave him
death" he whispers passionately. Il
love you, but, per Baccho you will not
give me death-but love!''
Love? Impossible?" Marina starts
from him wildly; then scorn coming to
her eyes and voice, remarks haughti-
ly: You are speaking to a welded
swife, Monsieur"
Not legally welded, have hopes.
My brother, poor Musso, perchance by
his lips in private gave his consent to
your nuptials, but of that have no