Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-24
CHAPTER XVI.-Continued.

vittoria tipped her chin the slightest bit.
Il must see you. alone"
Impossible!
Tonight You can slip away on some
pretext or other. 1t is really important.
She regarded him questioningly. III
that is true I will try. butt cannot
meet you at Oiiveta's house Besides.
you must not 80 into that quarter alone
at night"
What do you mean" he inquired.
wondering how she could know OF his
danger.
| "Because-no American is safe there
now. Perhaps 1 can meet you on the
| street yonder"
| I'll be waiting"
Nell"
Heaven above. She'd insist on COM
ing. too. just because it's forbidden
Very we'll. Now go before you are
discovered"
During the afternoon his excitement in
creased delicously. and that evening he
| found himself pacing the shaded street
near the La Branche home, with the
eager restlessness Of q lover.
! 1t was indeed late when Vittoria final
"Myra Nell is such chatterbox." she
explained. that 1 couldn't get her to
bed. Have you waited long?''
| II dare say. I'm not sure"
| InlS IS very eXC1tlnSp Is IL one
glanced over her shoulder UP the ILL
| lighted street. Rows Of shade trees cast
long inky blots between the corner illu-
limitations. the houses on either side sat
well back in their yards, increasing the
sense Of isolation. 1T is quite new
experience for me-
For me, too
! 81 hope we're not seen. Signore Norvin
Blake and a trained nurse! Oh, the COM
ment!"
There's a bench nearby where We can
| sit Passers-by will take us for serv-
ants"
You are the butler, I am the maid"
she laughed.
| ''You were very sad there at Terra
nova
i've learned the value Of a smile.
| Life is full Of gladness II we can only
bring ourselves to see It. Now, tell me
the meaning Of this. knew it must be
important, or would not have come"
| Back of the bench upon which she had
seated herself q jessamine vine depended,
| filling the air with perfume; the night
| was warm and still and languorous:
through the gloom she regarded him
with curiosity.
Il hate to begin," he said. 81 dread
| to speak Of unpleasant things-to you. I
| wish we might just sit here and talk OF
I'VE cannot sit here long on any &C
| count. But let me- guess. eIt is your
| work against-those men,"
Exactly You know the history OF
| our struggle with the Maf1a?'
"I am leading a hard fight and think
YOU can help me-
why do you think sou she asked, in
a low voice II have given up my part
have no desire for revenge"
Nor have 1. I do not wish to harm
any man, but I became involved in this
through q desire to see justice done. and
have reached point where cannot
stop or go back 1t started with the
Donnelly was killed. They took his life
for Narcone's, and he, too, was my
dear friend"
IAN this is familiar to me-" she said.
II will tell you something that no one
knows but myself. I have q friend
among the Mafiosi. and 1T Is he. not l.
| who has brought the murderers OF Mr..
Donnelly to an accounting.
You know him?''
Eyes. At least I think do
"His-name?" She was staring at him
oddly.
Il feel bound not to reveal it even to
you. He has told me many things.
among others that Belisario Cardi is
alive: is here and that 1t is he who has
worked all this evil
What has all this to do with me?"
she inquired, in a peculiar voice. Have
into other hands?
1T was Cardi who killed-one whom
we both loved. one for whose life l
would have given my own: it was Cardi
who destroyed my next best friend, a
simple soul who lived for nothing but
his duty. Now he has threatened my
life also-does that count for nothing
with your
She leaned forward searching his face
earnestly. You are a brave man. You
should go away where he cannot harm
you"
81 would very much like to- he con-
fessed. but 1 am too great coward to
run away
"And why do you tell me this?"
II need your help. Ny mysterious
friend can do no more: he has said SO.
I'm not equal to 1t alone
"Oh." she cried. as II Welding to feel
be rid Of It all, and now you are in dam
ger-the greatest danger-wont you give
it up?'
He shook his head, puzzled at her ve-
hemence. II don't wish to drag you into
it against your will. but Oliveta lives
there among her country people. She
must know many things which ], as an
outsider. could never learn. need
help
There was long silence before the
"Yes. I will help. for am still the
same woman you knew in Sicily. / am
Stlu 1Oll OK n4Ifo0. WOul0 tive my IKE
to convict Marters assassins. but I am
fighting myself. That is why I have
gone to live with Oliveta until I have
conquered and an ready to become q
sister,"
please don't say that
"Olfveta. you know. is alone" she went
on, with forced composure. "and SO I
watch over her. She is to be married
soon, and when she is safe. then / think
can return to the sisters and live as I
long to. 1t will be a good match; much
better than I ever hoped for. and she
loves. which is even more blessed to
contemplate Vittoria laid her hands
impulsively upon his arm. Meanwhile
I cannot refuse such aid as I can give
you, for you have already suffered too
much through me. You have suffered.
have you notf''
'Tt has turned my hair gray" he
laughed. trying not to show the true
depth Of his feelings. But now that I
know You are safe and we'll and happy. !
nothing seems to matter. Does Myra |
Nell know who you are?"
mo one knows save you and Oliveta. !
II that child even dreamed" She lift |
ed her slender hands in an eloquent ges-
ture. my secret would be known in an |
hour. Now I must go, for even house. |
maids must observe the proprieties.''
Its late: think had better see you |
safely home"
Il daresay our watchman has found |
himself q comfortable bod
THE slumbers Of night Watchmen are |