Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-29
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must not faint those whom l had so dis
graced
Again silence fell between US. and again
il was she who broke 1t. remembering
the incident with Murito. Who are
YOU" she asked
| shrugged my shoulders. a. il the ques-
ton were superfluous. "Beppo Serrano.
of course | said
Her brOws knitted and she repeated
the little impatient gesture OF the hands.
Then she shook her head vigorously. But
your English. You speak II so well. You
tricked Capt. Murito by that. The men
tonight told me how he had taken you
for an American. although he has been
in New York. You are not as the rest
of the men on the island. Tell me your
history"
Il am Beppo Serrano. That is all my
history"
that of a peasant
Il am Beppo Serrano." I repeated. Il
can say no more than that until I have
learnt the truth about Vicinos death.
Then there is more to tell. but YOU
feel that YOU must not trust me.
1t is not fair To put il in that way"
replied. when she paused. thinking ap-
parently that the reproach would lead me
TO speak.
Then you think 1t is no more than a
womans idle curiosity. and you will
pique me by perssting in this mystery"
There is no such thought in my mind.
but the matter. call 1t mystery. or his
tory or story. as you will, concerns
others"
"Molta." she cried. flashing her eyes
upon me. II do not wish to share your
confidence with her. indeed"
Our eyes met and she bit her lip and
looked down In momentary confusion.
My pulses auickened Was il possible
irritation as her words implied? Had
so mistaken her concern for my welfare?
Or was IT. as she herself had limited. no
more than pique.
II should not withhold from you that
which l should tell to another. Molta
knows nothing whatever of this"
1T is nothing to me what you tell her.
of course she replied. with shrug.
But as you are TO wed her. 1t is but
natural YOU should confide in her"
She will never be my wife. That I
had ever asked her to wed me was one
of the amazing surprises of that night in
the hut. When you mentioned her name
to me / had no recollection OF havin0
ever heard 1t before.
II thought your ignorance that night
was mere pretense. and that your offer
TO help me no more than some new de-
sign to injure me. / wronged you. I
know sar W. that by by what what you have since done
You did me no wrong. You could not
know, and could but judge by what you
had seen Of me before. Ny story is the
truth both strange and sad. Who and
what l am. you must not ask me- but
this l can tell you: Some time ago l
was attacked and nearly killed. The in
jury l received affected my brain and
robbed me OF all remembrance. In that
condition l remained until I'm the hut that
night the blow on my head undid the
mischief caused by the former attack.
and l came TO myself to find that there
was a gap in my life of which I knew
nothing. Every act aud incident of that
interval was covered by an impenetrable
veil of ignorance. | did not even know
that l was here in Sicily. 1t was from
you l learnt the name by which I was
called. VINO my associates we're and my
surroundings. The ignorance you re.
garded as pretense was real and COM
plete. and you can Judge with what hor-
ror and fear and loathing / realized what
had occurred and the character l bore"
She listened in silence and appeared to
be deeply moved by what I said. After
pause of thought she asked: But you
remember the past-the past before the
first attack. l mean"
Everything" 1 replied, with smile.
That. however. is part Of my trouble.
for it seals my lips
But why not tell your story
Who would believe it? Here in Sicily,
l mean? So far as | have learnt, / have
built for myself the reputation of a reck-
less member Of Beltano's band acting in
all respects as such a man would act,
and browning everything with the murder
for which / am now prescribed. No. I
am BeppO Serrano and in that character
must face the task before me-"
She sighed and impulsively thrust out
her hand. II believe you
The compa ssion In her eyes and the
had to struggle to hide the evidence OF
the love which thrilled my heart. But I
did not take the hand she offered. mo.
How l welcome that proof of your conf
dence l cannot tell you. But if l am
guilty of that murder I am not fit to
touch the hem of your robe I prefer to
die. But If l am innocent. / will never
cease my efforts until | have proved il
to you. and can take your hand with the
confidence of a man once more able to
look the world fearlessly in the face"
The concentrated earnestness of my
words and manner appealed to her. and
perhaps, she read something of the feel
ings beneath them. She sat for while
with her head lowered and then rose
You are right. / will no longer urge
you to fly. Had you told me this before
I should not have insulted you with the
offer l made. Forget it. but remember
if there is any way in which I can help
you. l will do it with all I have in the
world. With all my strength l shall pray
for your success"
Her fact was so eloquent of sympathy
and compassion that l dared not trust
myself to reply. and in silence l followed
her from the room
AS l was about to leave the house I
asked her if she felt safe against any
attempts Beltano might make to get her
back to the island.
The house is strong and / have one
or two men servants who would protect
me with their lives. but tomorrow l shall
take steps which will render any such
attempt useless.
Why not tonight" / asked, for the
thought flashed across my mind that Bel
tano might be shrewd enough to guess
the weakness of the protection and quick
to take advantage of 1t.
THE carabinieri are within call. j have
no fear for this one night
| told her my suspicion in regard to
BeltanO and was urging her to tane pre-
cautions at once, when we heard the
noise of scuff1e. the voices Of men and
rushing toward us, panic stricken and
white of face.
There are strange men in the house,
eXcellency. she cried. breathlessly.
They forced one Of the windows and
have overpowered my son. and Cmberto
lies senseless from their blows"
Are those two the only men YOU
have?" I asked quickly.
Yes. But you must go. They may be
in search of you
Send at once for help. 1t is Beltano's
doing. | am sure. You must have the
cara bnieri instantly"
But you?" and even as she spoke we
heard the footsteps of the men coming
in our direction.
Go be continued next Sunday
MATADoR A SAILOR.