Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-31
A Story of Love, Adventure
and Mystery By REX BEACH
ne NET"
Copyrighted. 1912. BY Res seach.

abandonment of grief as he had never
seen. and her voice was little more
than a rasping whisper They were
stfu workfng when the doctor came,
followed a moment later by dishe-
yelled, stricken inquire OF tragedy when
O'Niel recognized as OliVeta.
At sight of her foster sister the peas
ant girl broke into a passion OF weeping,
but Vittoria checked her with an impe-
rious word, meanwhile keeping her tor
turad eyes upon the physician. She walt
ed upon him, forestallins his every
thought and need with a mechanical deN-
terity that bere witness TO her training
but all the while her eyes held a pitt
ful entreaty. Not until she heard o'Neii
call for an ambulance did she rouse her
self TO connected speech. Then she eN-
claimed with hysterical insistence;
You shall not take MIN away l am
nurse; he shall stay here Who bet
ter than ! could attend TO him?'
He can stay here II you have place
for him. said the doctor.
O'Nei drew him aside, inquiriRg, "Win
he live?"
The doctor indicated Vittoria with a
movement of his head. I'm sure of 1t.
That girl won't let him die"
The news of that combat travelled fast
and far and Il came TO Myra Nell War
rem among the FIRST, Despite the dread
fuI false position in which Bernie had
placed her with respect TO Norvin, the
girl had but one thought and that was
to go TO her friend. She could not endure
the sight OF blood, and her somewhat
childlike Imagination conjured up a CORY
spectacle. She was afraid that II she
tried TO act as nurse she would faint
or run away when most needed. But
she was determined to 80 to him and
to assist in any way she could. IL was
not consistent with her ideas OF loyalty
TO shrink from the sight OF suffering.
even though she could do nothing TO re-
lieve it,
When she mounted the stairs to DIV
eta's living quarters she was pale and
agitated. and shet faltered on the TIRES
bold at the sight of strangers. Within
were a newspaper reporter, doctor, the
chief of police, the mayor of the city,
while outside a curious throng was gath
cred. Seeing Miss Fabrizi, she ran to-
ward her. sobbing nervously.
Where is he, Vittoria2 Tell me that
he's-safei''
some one answered. He's safe and
resting quietly"
''T-take me to him."
A spasm stirred vittoria's tired fea-
lures; she petted the girl with COM
forting hand. while Mayor Wright said
gently:
1T must have been a great shock to
you, Myra Nell. as it was 10 all of us.
but you may thank God he has been
spared to you
The reporter made a note upon his
pad and began framing the heart inter-
est Of his story. Here was a new and
interesting aspect Of an event worth
many columns.
Nittoria led the giIl toward her room,
but outside the door Myra Nell paused.
shaking in every limb.
"You-you love him7" asked the
other woman.
The look which Miss Warren gave
her stabbed like a knife, and when the
girl had sunk to her knees beside the
bed, with Blalxe's name upon her lips,
Vittoria stood for a long moment gaz-
ing down upon her dazedly.
Later. when she had sent Myra Nell
home and silence lay over the city,
Norvins nurse stole into the great
front room. where che had experienced
so much of gladneSs and horror that
night and made her way wearily to the
little image OF the Virgin. She noted
with a start that the candle was gone,
so she lit a new one and, kneeling for
many minutes, prayed earnestly for
strength to do the right and to quench
the leaping. dazzling flame which had
been kindiec in her heart.