Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-02
: THE NET.
: By REX BEACH.
q Copyright Rex BeachJ
CHAPTER XX.-Continued.

CHAPTER XX.-Continued.
He yielded: her warm breath beat upon
his face. Then the last atoms of self
restraint fled away from him like sparks
before fierce night wind. A fiery mad
ness coursed through his veins as h'
caught her to him. Her lips were fever
ed with sleep. For a moment the caress
seemed real; it was the climax Of hi:
hopes. the attainment Of his longings
He crushed her in his arms: her hail
blinded him: he buried his face in it
kissing her brow. her cheek, the curve
where neck and shoulder met. and al
the time he was speaking her name with
hOarse tenderness.
So strangely had the fanciful merged
into the real that the girl was slow il
waking. Her eyelids fluttered, her breas
rose and fell unanimously, and ever
while her wits were struggling back t.
reality her arms chung to him. But tn,
transition was brief. Her eyes opened
and she stiffened as with the shock of al
electric current. A cry, a swift. with
ing movement, and she was upon hel
feet his incoherent words beating upor
her ears. but making no impression upor
her brain.
You! God above!" she cried.
She faced him, white, terror-stricken
yet splendid in her anger. She was still
dazed. but horror and dismay leapet
quickly into her eyes,
''Margherita! You called me. Yo,
drew me to you. 1t was your real sell
that spoke-I know it,
''You-kissed me while-I slept!'
He paled at the look with which She
scorched him, then broke out, doggedly
You wanted me: you drew me close
You can't undo that moment-you can't
My God! Don't tell me 1t was all a mis-
take. That would make it uncomfortable
1 could never forgive myself"
She hid her face with a choking cry OF
shame. mo, no! 1 didn't know
He approached and touched her arm
timidly. Marguerite" he said. If
were made to believe that 1 had com.
mitted an objectionable offense against
your womanhood and our friendship
1 cannot believe that. I was beside my
self but 1 was never more exalted
Something greater than my own will
made me do as I did. 1 think it was
your love answering to mine. If that Is
not soft it is all delusion-there is
nothing left for me. 1 have played my
part out to the end. Ny work is done
and l do not see how I can go on living
There was an odd mingling Of pain and
rapture In the gaze she raised to his. II
gave him courage.
why struggle longer?" he urged. gen.
thy. why turn from love when heaven
wills you to receive it and learn to be a
woman? was In your thoughts and you
longed for me, as I have never ceased
all these years to hunger for you. Please!
Please! Margherita! Why fight it longer?'
What have you done? What have you
done?' she whispered over and over. She
looked toward the open door. as If with
thought OF escape or assistance, and, de-
spite his growing hope, Blake was niser-
able at sight Of her distress.
M oil NTH
she asked, at length. "Oliveta was here
only a moment ago."
Il came with good news for both of
you. I met Oliveta as she went out, and
when I had told her she sent me to you.
Don't you understand. dear? 1t was
good news. Our quest is over, our work
is done and God has seen fit to deliver
our enemy
She flung out trembling hand, while
the other hid itself in the silk and lace
at her breast
What is this you tell me? Maruffi
Am still dreaming?''
Marufh has been arrested
rs it possible? This long nightmare
ended at last like this? Marufi is ar
rested? You are safe? No one has been
killed."
ut is all right. O'Neil telephoned me
and l came here at once to tell you and
Oliveta.''
when did they find him? Where?"
mot half an hour ago-at his house.
We have been watching the place ever
have to return sooner or later, if only
for moment. He is under lock and key
at this instant"
Blake attributed a stir in the hall out
side to the presence Of the maidservant;
Margherita, whose eyes were fixed upon
him. failed to detect a figure which stood
in the shadow just beyond the open door.
Does he know Of our part in toll
veta's part?" she asked.
"O'Neil didn't say. He'll learn of it
what his capture means? I hardly do
myself. For one thing. there's no further
need of concealment. II want people to
know who you are. 1t seems hardly con-
ceivable that Belisario Cardi has gone to
meet his punishment, but it is true. Lu-
creZia has been revenged at last. 1t has
been a terrible task for all of U.S. but it
has brought you and me together at last.
I don't intend ever to let you go again.
Margherita. I loved you there in Sicily.
I've loved you every moment. every
hour
Blake turned at the sound of door
closing behind him. He saw Margherita
start. then lean forward. staring past
him with look of amazement, Of fright
ened incredulity, upon her face. Some
one. man. had stepped into the dim-lit
room and was fumbling with the lock,
his eyes fixed upon them meanwhile over
his shoulder. The light from the win
dows had faded. the faint illumination
from the taper before the shrine was in
sufficient fully to pierce the gloom. But
on the instant of his interruption all tri-
umph and thrilling hope. all thoughts of
love, fled from Norvin's mind. bursting
like iridescent bubbles at a touch. The
flesh along his back writhed, the hair at
his neck lifted itself. for there in the
shadow, huge. black and silent, stood
Caesar Maruffi!