Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-27


We've got Maruffi.
-When7 WhereT' shouted NOrvin.
Five minutes agO-at his own house.
Johnson and Dean have been watching
the place He went with them Ike a
lamb. too. They've Just phOned me that
they're all on their way here.
Good! DO you need me2"
NO. See you later. Good-by."
The acting chief slammed up his re-
celver. leaving his hearer stunned at
the suddenness OF this long-awaited de-
n0uement
aTaruff taken. His race run! Then this
was the end or the hight. A ferocious
triumph flooded NOrvin's brain. With
Belisario Card In the hands OF the law
he-spell Of the Malta was broken. saw
igno and Donnelly were as good as
avenged. He experienced an odd feeling
OF relaxation. as II both his body and
brain were cramped and tired with wait
ing Then. realizing that the countess
and oliveta must have suffered an even
greater strain. he set out at once 10 give
them the news in person a...----
As he turned swiftly into Royal street
he encountered O'ConneIl. who. noting
his haste and something unusual IN his
bearing. detained him 10 ask the cause.
Haven't you heard?" exclaimed Nor
vim -Marufi's captured at last"
You don't mean itl''
Yes O'Neil told me over the wire
not ten minutes ago"
o'connel fell Irto step with him.
saying incredulously-
And he came without a fight? Lord.
I can't believe H."
-Nor J. I expected trouble with him.
-Surei / thought he was a bad one.
but that's the way II goes sometimes.
=. -. he
officer shook his red head Its just
my blamed luck 10 miss the fun
O'COnneli was one OF hte few who. had
been first trusted with the news Of
2Tzruni's identity. and for the past fort
night he had been casting high and low
for the SIciIian's trail Ever since that
october night when he had supported
Dornelly in his arms as the life ebbed
from the chief. ever since he had knelt
on the soft banquette with the sting
Of powder smoke in his nostrils. he had
heen -obsessed by a fanatical desire to
be in at the death OF his friends muir
derers. He left Blake at his destination
and hurried on toward ST Philip street
in the vague hope that he might not
be too late to take hand in some part
Of the proceedings.
Blake's hand was upon oliveta's bell
when the door opened and she confront
ed him Her start her frightened cry.
gave evidence of the nervous dread I'M
der which she labored.
.Don'ti be afraId. Olivets," he said
quickly. I come with news-gOod
news.
she swayed and CROPPED blindIy for
support He put out his hand 10 sus-
tain her but she shrank away from him.
saying faintiys
Then he Is captured2 God be prais-
@dE'
IN spite OF the words. her eyes filmed
over with tears: look OF abject misery
bared itself upon her face.
Where is the countess"
.'Above-resting. Come. She, too,
viii rejoice"
Let me take her the news. You were
going out and / think the air will
DO you good. Be brave. Oliveta. you
have done your share. and there's moth
ing more 70 fear"
she acquiesced DULY; her olive fea-
lures were CHASTITY as she felt her way
past him; she walked like "a sick woman.
He watched her pityingiy for mo-
uenti then mounted the stairs. AS he
laid his hand upon the door IL gave q
his touch and he stood upon the thresh-
cld Of the parIor. Vittoria's name was
Upon his lips. when. BY the dim evenins
Iiehr which came through the drawn
curtains and By thu faint illumination
rom the solitary shrine candle. he saw
Der recumoent form upon the couch
She was lying in an attitude OF com
plete relaxation her sun-gilded hair
straying In long. thick braids below her
waist Those tawny ropes were Of q
length and thickness to bind . mar
shout fhe BODY Her lips were slight
II parted: her lashes lay like dark
Shadows against her ivory cheeks.
lie was swept BY a sudden awed
adjustment The impulse 20 retreat
came over him. but he lacked the will
The longing which had remained 50
strong in him through years OF denial
governing the whole course Of his life
blazed UP II him now and increased
with every heart beat He found thai
without willing IL he had come close
10 the couch. The girls slim hand lay
tuon the cushions, Imply upturned C
him. il was half open, and there sprang
through him an ungovernable desire to
bury his lips in its rosy palm. lie knelt
then quaiied and recovered himself AZ
the same instant she stirred and. TO his
incredulous delight. Whispered his name
a wild exultation shot through him
why not yield 10 this madness7 he
asked himself dizzily. The Ions strug-
Eie vas over now or THIS woman s
sake he had repeatedly played the part
Of bravery in a fever Of fear. He had
done what he had done TO make himseli
Northy OF her. and now. at the last hV
vas 70 have enthusiastically moth
ing except a memory. Against these
thoughts his notions OF honorable con-
duct hastily and confusedly arrayec
themselves. But ne was in no state e
reason The same enchantment half
psychic half physical. ethereal, yet
strongly human that had mastered him
In the old Sicilian days was at worn
upon him now. Dimly he felt that sc
mighty and natural a thing ought not
to be resisted. He stood 'stiffly Ike
a man spelIbound-
It may have been Oliveta's accuse.
tion that affected the course OF the
sleeping woman's thoughts: II may have
been that she felt the mans nearness
or that some influence passed from MS
rhind to hers However IL was, she
spoke his name again. her fingers
closed over his. she drew him toward
her.
He yielded; her warm breath beat up
OF hts face Then. the last atoms OF
self-restraint fed away from him like
.rarks before a fierce night wind. A
neFy madness coursed through his veins
as he caught her 70 him. Her lips were
fevered with sleep For a moment ths
caress seemed real IL was the Gilman
OF his hopes the attainment OF his
longings- He crushed her in his arms
her hair blinded him. he buried his face