Evening star., 1912-09-05

I the truth. AS for the girl she deliber-
ately set herself the task Of winning the
American. task already more than ac-
compIished had she but known it. and
| although for some women such course
would have been neither easy nor safe.
| with her a misconception of motive was
| impossible.
| Blake longed to end it all by fleeing
/ from Sicily. and had there been more
time he would have arranged for a sum-
mons to America His mother had not
/ been we'll for a long time, and he was
| tempted to use this fact as an excuse
| for immediate departure, but the Thought
| that Martel needed him acted as an ef-
! fcctiye restraint The vague menace of
| La Malta still hung over the count. and
was not lessened by the receipt of a sec
ond threatening letter a few days after
4 Blakes arrival.
Cardi wrote again. demanding instant
| compliance with the terms contained in
his first communication. Savigno was di-
rected to send Ricardo Ferara at a given
/ hour to a certain crossroads above Sc
/ baStiano with 10000 lire. In that case
candles would he burnt and masses said
| for the soul of the murdered CALI. so the
| writer promised The letter put no pen
/ atty upon a failure to comply with these
| demands beyond a vague prediction OF
| evil
| Martcl was not alarmed. being only
anxious to keep the matter from the
| countess, but unluckily she got wind of
/ IL
She besought him to leave San Sebas-
| tiano for the time being. TO postpone the
wedding. or, at least. to go to Messina
| for It, but, of course. he refused and tried
! to laugh down her misgivings. and. of
course. she appealed privately to Blake
| for assistance.
"You must use your influence to change
his mind she said. earnestly. He de-
clares he will not he overawed by these
ruffians. He says that to pay them the
he
them to another attempt when we return,
, but-he does not know the Malta as l
know it. You will do this for me?''
.Of course. if you wish it. although |
agree with Martel. and I'm sure he won't
listen TO me. He can't play the coward.
The wedding is only two days off now.
Why, tomorrow is the gala day. How
could he notify the whole district when
all his preparations have been COM
peted?''
The country people need not know
anything about it. Let them come and
make merry. He can leave now, tonight.
We will join him at Messina."
| Norvin shook his head. iii do what
| can, since YOU wish it. but I'm sure
he won't consent to any change of plan.
I'm sure. also, that YOU are needlessly
troubled.
Perhaps she acknowledged, doubt
! fully. And vet Martels father"
Yes. yes. But conditions are not what
they were fifteen years ago. This is
merely a blackmalilng Scneme, and II ne
ignores it he'll probably never hear of it
again.
She searched his face with her eyes.
and his wits reeled at her earnest gaze.
He was conscious of a single wild desire
that such anxiety might be for him. How
gladly he would yield to her wishes-how
gladly he would yield to any wish of
hers,
Il hope you are right she said at
last. And yeti is said that no one
escapes the Malta"
This isn't the Malta 1t is the work
of some brigand-"
What is the difference? The one
| merges, into the other. Blood has been
| spilled: the forces are at work.
| Suddenly she seized him by the arm
and her eyes blaZed. Look you." she
said. If Marte should be injured, il
| those men should dare-all Sicily would
not hold them. No power could save
| them, no hiding place could be secret
| no lies so cunning that l would not know.
You understand
tTo be continued tomorrow.)