Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-29
A Story Of Love, Adventure
and Mystery BY REX BEACH
TIE NET"
Copyrighted 1912 By Rer Beach.

forests dragged as with a net, no quarry
came TO bay.
or course, the country people turned
out for the funeral. hut for the most
part they came from curiosity To Nor
win the presence of such spectators at
the last sacred rites for the dead seemed
sacrilegious. indecent, and he knew that
Il must add to Margherita's pain. 1t
was an endless, heartrending ordeal,
/ great. sombre. impressive pageant OF
which he remembered little. save tall,
tawny, yellow girl crushed beneath a
grief so great that his own seemed trivial
n comparison.
] She was in such a state of physical
collapse after the ordeal that she did
not send for him until the second day
following He came timidly even then.
for he was at a loss how to comfort
her, vividly. conscious as he was of his
I guilt and shame. He found her crouched
upon one OF the old stone benches in
the garden in the full. hot glare of the
sun.
81 do not know why I have sum-
lmoned you" she said, leaving her hand
in his. unless Il is because my lonel-
ness has begun and lack the courage
TO face It."
Il have been waiting. It win always
be so. countess. I shall come from
across the world whenever you need
me"
She smiled Istlessly. You are very
good. 1 knew you were waiting. II
seems SO strange to know that he is
gone" Her voice caught, her eyes
nIIed, then cleared without OVERLOOKING
and that the world is moving on
again in the same way and only I am
left standing by the wayside. You can
not wait with me, however. You must
move on with the rest Of the world.
You had planned to so home, and you
must. for you have your work. and it
calls you"
leave you for a long time. I promised
Martel-"
you promised? Then he had reason
to suspect?'
"He would not acknowledge the possi-
bility. and yet he must have had pre-
monition."
"oh. why will men trust themselves
when women knowl II he had told me,
IL he had confided hts fears TO me, 1
could have told him what to do"
II couldn't leave now. even If wish
ed. for 1 might be needed by the-the
law. You understand? Il isn't finished
with me yet"
''The, law will not need you" she told
him, bitterly "The law will do moth
ing. The task is for other hands,
After a pause he said: Il had news
from home today-rather bad news"
Then at her quick look Of inquiry he
went on: Nothing serious, hope
nothing to take me away. Ny mother
lis III and has cabled me to come"
Then you viii go at once, OF course?
mo. I've tried to explain to her the
situation here, and the necessity Of my
remaining for a time at least. Unless
she grows worse, 1 shall stay and try
to help Neri in his search"
cit is s great comfort to have you
near, for in you see a part of-Martel.
You were his other half. But there
are other aching hearts. it seems. That
mother calls to you and you ought to
go. Besides. I must begin my work"
What work."
She met his eyes squarely. you
know without asking. Neri will fail;
no Italian could succeed; no one could
succeed except a Sicilian. I am one"
You mean to bring those men to
She NODDED. Certainly who else
can do it?"
But, my dear signorina, think VIII bit
that means. They are dregs; there lis
the Malta to reckon with. How viii
you go about it7"
Il win become one of them. if nee
essary."
He answered her in a shocked voice:
no. no! You are mad to think Of it"
Il am a Sicilian. I am rich, too.
have resources" She took him by the
arm as she had done that first time
when the thought Of MartePs danger
had reused her. ST told you no power
could save them; no hiding place could
be so secret, no lies so cunning that l
would not know. Welt Those soldiers
have failed, and will continue to fail
But, you see, they did not love Martel.
l shall live for this thing"
IF you feel that way I shall make
you an offer. Give up your idea Of
taking an active personal part In this
quest. and l win assume your place We
win work together, but you viii direct
while 1 face. the risks"
You are a stranger. We would be
sure to fail. I thank you, but my mind
is made up"
'If II becomes known you viii be In
great danger. Think. Life is before you,
and all its possibilities. Please let other
hands do this"
1T is useless to argue" she said,
firmly. Il am like rock. I have begun
already. and I have accomplished more
than Colonel Neri and his carabineers.
he has news. He knows many things Of
which the soldiers do not dream, for he
IS one OF the people. You will excuse
meT'
"Of course, butt can't let you under
take so dangerous a task without a pro-
test. I shall come back. IL may"
He arose as the old man shuffled down
the path. and went in search of the
Donna Teresa, for he was determined TO
offer every encouragement I'm his power
to what struck him as an extremely rash
and perilous course
In the hall OF the manor house he en-
Ieountered Lucrezia and stopped TO speak
to her.
you would do a great deal to protect
the countess would you notT' he asked
Yes, signore. She has been both a
sister and mother to me. But what do
you mean2"
Blake explained briefly his concern,
but when he had finished the girl sur
prised him by breaking forth into a
furious denunciation OF the assassins.
I'VE demand blood to wash out blood. -
she cried. 81 curse them and their souls.
living and dead, in the name of God
who made my father in the name OF
Christ who died for him. in the name of
the holy saints who could not save him.
. In the name Of the whole world curse
} them. May they pray and not be heard.
May they repent unforgiven and lie I'M
; buried Nav every living thing that bea rs