The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-19
CHAPTER XII. A Greek sehanaA.


 As we walked to the old fort Julius told me that Baltano had been to him that morning to urge him to come to the island 10 prepare Masita for the ar- rival of the priest.
 You wish that she should marry him?" I asked.
 Tt is not my affair. Beitano wishes it. Why should I interfere? I dare l not thwart him. He knows too much to make that safe. Besides he has promised that Agapa shall marry me at the same t:me.r
 And she?"
 He laughed. Have you lost vour wits, Beppo? Hasn't she promised a dozen times? Beitano will be a man of must marry someone. I suppose"
 "Of course" I said no more. lest I should lose my temper with him; and after moment he branche ed of to the subject of my escape on the preceding night. How did you manage to pass yourself off as an American. Beppo? signora Bonava told me all about 1t. and how you fooled that fellow. Mu- rito."
 Tt was easy enough" But where the devil did you learn English to chatter 1t glibly7"
 "Murito did not know enough to find me out. That's all"
 T wish I'd been there early enough to have heard you. But he found 1t all out afterwards and was like a mad man. He sent about asking ell sorts of silly questions about sulphur mines. Oh he was properly fooled. But you don't do it again so easily" and he rattled on in this way until we reached the building.
 turned away feeling that in count ing upon his help. Masita was leaning on e rotten prop. It was as clear as the sun that Beltano was using him for the purpose of this marriage and that the lad went in too great fear of him to dare to help his sister. What had been said about Agapa showed me also that Beltano was using this as one of the levers to coerce Julius. The lad was 6 coward of towards; and both fear and love would turn him against Masita when the crisis came
 But she should have her way, if I could assist her. If she could persuade Julius to aid her escape, 1t should be my part to see that they had the nec- essary opportunity to get away. would have given my right hand to have taken her away; but that desire should not stand in the way of my helping in any other plan. My chief fear was that the young fool would not be able to hold his tongue, but would tell everything to Agapa and probably to others.
 Agapa would be ready enough to help. of course: but if the thing leaked out to the others. there would be the devil l to pay; and no small bill. either. His news about the means by which had escaped from Murito had already | set everyone agape; and Molta had a sheaf of curious questions. I did not | go to the farmstead for my evening meal; but she sought me In my hut. | You are not still angry. Beppo," she said. with a great change in her man. | ner.
 "You accused me of lying. Molta do not forget"
 T am sorry. I spoke in hot haste Forgive me. know now, by the news which Julius has brought. that there was no truth in the charge that you betrayed us. Let everything be with us as it has always been. The meal i' ready. You won't refuse to eat with me?"
 "I made no response to her advance 1 did not wish to be reconciled to her and her anger was vastly more to m! liking than her caresses. (Continued Tomorrow.)