Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08

narrow gully between the limestone rOckS,
and couple of boats were moored to 1t,
sails and oars being stored in hut close
by
l made the closest observation of the
place. noting every point of rock on the
path to the beach, passing and repassing
several times to familiarize myself with
the way, SO that at need / could traverse
it in the dark.
Already che crude idea had formed in
my thoughts that I should belp Masita
to escape to the mainland. stealing one
of the boats for the purpose For such
plan / must know every inch of the pain.
as we should have to leave at night, and
be able to get the boat out with the least
possible loss of time.
L had spent severa~years In Italy in
my younger days, and fortunately had
had constant practice in sailing the boats
which We're used in those southern
waters. The distance from the island to
the nearest point of the mainland was
not more than some seven miles. and
should have no difficulty in crossing If
only the chance could be found or made.
From a hill not far from the gully in
which the boats were moored L could see
the mainland. and I gazed across the
| stretch of water between began to think
out my plans.
Before I attempted the venture must.
of course. know where to land and learn
something of the country beyond. This
would not be difficult. / was still sup
posed to be a cOnvaleScent and it would
be natural enough for me to wish to go
sailing and fishing.
Satisfied with the results of my first
observations I returned to the farmstead
and on the way down l met Breva in
company with another man. who glanced
suspiciously at me. as II doubling how
should receive him. and then muttered
something to the effect that he was glad
to see me out again.
Intuitively | disliked this fellow. and
when Breva addressed him Giuseppe
gave him a curt nod of recognition and
short word of reply
I'VE began to think you were done for.
Beppo." he said next. Its. devil of
hornets nest you've raised for us. too.
You're not stunS yet, are you?
why should l be stung for what you
did?'
What was that?''
He laughed shortly and swore, as he
rolled himself fresh cigarette. What
should l mean but this business of vi
cino?' he asked. after the pause
/ shrugged my shoulders. 1t was not
my cue to let him know l had any sus-
picion of the part he had played. You
took care of your skin. Giuseppe. Those
who run can afford to laugh
And why the devil shouldn't run with
the carabinieri close at my heels?' he
retorted. with an angry scowl
That's how all rabbits reason when
they hear a noise.
Breva laughed at this and Giuseppe
swore again. you'll have to put guard
on that tongue of yours. BepIo," he said.
threateningiy. Il hear you pretend to
have forgotten all that passed that night.
but others know all about 1t. What
man does he must answer for, l say. And
so must you
Piled and left them, as l saw Mota
coming toward us.
Where have you BEEN Beppo?' asked
she. anXiOuSly.
ION the hill drinking in health and
strength. The call of the sea is in my
veins
Are you strong enough to manage your
boat? Let us go together" One of the
boats was mine. it seemed from this.
But 1 did not ask.
I'VE had better have Breva.' | replied.
] had no wish to be alone with her more
than was necessary.
She called him back. Get Beppo's
boat ready she said. and while he was
doing so told me what had passed in the
house with Masita. There had been high
words between then. and Beltano had lost
his temper in trying to make peace.
1T is easily settled" I said II will
stay no longer in the house.
You mean you will go back to your
hut?" she cried.
THAT is just what I mean" I replied.
hearing for the first time that l had
place of my own on the island. II will
make no trouble for either you or Bel
tano- In TINS matter. IL is Settleu, ue-
clared. bluntly.
Much to my surprise she made no de-
muir and contented herself with NUT
tered sentence to the effect that Masita
should feel her anger. / concluded from
this acquiescence that she had been ac
customed to see that / would take my
own line and that she must give way.
We went to the house then. as she de-
clared that the place must be got reany
for me. and when she had given the
fI,n
hut. This was fortunate. as /, of course,
did not know even where 1T was.
Breva called us soon. saying the boat
was ready. and we started for the sail.
We made for the mainland. and l was
thus able to make a careful observation
of the place. We landed and l noticed
the position of the farm. Solferino's,
where Breva had told me the horses were
kept, and Molta and / strolled about
l succeeded in drawing good deal of in
formation from her as to the locality. the
position of Masta's estate, the road to it
and other matters.
On the return l sailed the boat myself.
saying that | wished to test my strength,
so that Molta and l might sail alone to-
gether the next time. and was gratified
to find that could manage quite well.
/ did not see Masita again that day.
nor the next; l passed most of my time
on the sea. perfecting myself in The man
agement of the felucca. All my old skill
came back to me- and on the third day.
assured that l needed no more practice, l
was ready to face the other and more
difficult part of my problem-how to over
come Masita's distrust and dislike.
/ took possession of my hut and had my
meals there alone, for MaSta adhered to
her refusal to suffer me in her presence.
Pepta brought me my meals. and on
the third evening she. fingered. as if
wishful to chat. a
You are much stronger. BeppO." she
said.
Thanks largely to you, Pepta. Breva
will have a good nurse in his little wife"
But you think you are stronger than
you really are she replied without the
bright smile which generally ehlivened
her words. She was a delightfully."- sunny
little creature.
why that solemn face. child? Have
those sharp eyes of yours seen aught
about Breva that vexes you?'
Yes. my eyes are sharp, Beppo. Has
your Illness blinded yours so that you
see nothing? Or is it as Giuseppe and
Drake have it, that you have lost your
tice?'
who will not notice what?'
"Molta. If Breva treated me do you
think | should not see it? You no longer
care for her. Beppo, but surely you are
mad to show 1t so that others can see it.
Breva has noticed it, too"
"A man may care for woman without
being her slave Pepita."
Not before marriage. Beppo. At least
that not what you thought or how
you acted till week ago. Does man
who cares for the woman show it best by
avoiding her? Is GOODNESS the proof of