The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-07-10
full. half Inarticulate cry Mari clasped
her trembling hands.

| her trembling hands.
Peter she whispered Peterr'
Dumbly the guilty youth stood peerlng
Through his cage. The wuoen shawl
which the girl wore fell back from her
| head. revealing the well remembered
clustering curs The sound OF his
sob to Peters throat.
81 came" Mari went ON breathlessly.
| to you, beloved. Beca,Ise you had
| lot been bile to send me money. should
that then keep us apart? So | worked
and worked" The words melted into
a soft. little laugh "Oh. you did not
know that could be so clever, Peter
could of myself earn SO much money.
enough to bring me to the far America
But me. alone-I did it." The trium-
phant tone turned now to one of deep
compassion. And you. my Peter
the girl said quickly-''they have made
| you suffer. Because of cruel. wicked
mistake they have placed you here
| behind their great locked doors
"'He Is married in this country the
men tell me. but | ask them how can
| Peter my hiisba nd. and have not here
our printed records? But the interpret
er is very stupid. and he will not un
| derstand. and he tells me over and
over again, Peter Olaf is married. so
| come away angry
The girl tossed her head BE brave.
beloved" she said, land all will yet be
we'll
DO not grieve that must go
| back. for. so they have ordered Re
| turn at once to your own country the
stern man said. as though that were
punishment to me. | am glad-glad
| to go.
Here the people are so strange and
| tine and grand; here no one cares"
Mari caught her breath sharply. Tears
| welled in the golden black eyes. She
waited. wondering at his silence, and
| then. with Il sudden hopeless gesture.
| Peter stretched forth his arms.
Mari" he murmured brokenly, 'if
| | could but touch your hand"
Have not. then, the same long
| ing?" she answered tremulously. But
when they have learned their mistake.
Peter, when they know of their wrong.
| then they will set you free. and YOU
will hasten back to our happy home
| and.
There will be to welcome you and
see in the garden our fruits and flowers
are growing and upon the hills our
sheep SO you will be content and hap
py forevermore, so you will never care
| again to wander"
Mari" the boy cried out i'm despair.
how may then come to you'll who
am so unworthy"
An attendant laid kindly hand upon
| the girls shoulder Times up" he
reminded Mari locked back through
the screen with reproachful eyes.
You unworthy. Peter?" she said ten
derly. You Then obediently Mari
followed OH up the stair. Outside be-
fore the Jail a dark faced italian paus-
ed to adjust the golden harp which he
carried. AT his side. in bizarre cos
tune, tripped red Tipped girl. With
a swift sidelong glance at the man she
flirted her beribboned tambourine.
Il go in there. Toni" she said. II not
play on the boat today" The Italian
stood looking down upon her with
sort of dogged devotion
"You go to see him, Bianca," he said
he who was not your husband. He
fool you and lie to you, yet you can for
give?" The girl shrugged her shOul-
ders.
What do | forgiven she asked pert
ly. He leave her for me. II he leave
me for her'-Bianca's eyes narrowed
hut PetrO he not do that" she said
Halfway to the impressive entrance
she turned back to smile at him "YOu
wait for me. Toni?" she called, and the
Italian answered with sad resgna-
ton:
always wait for you. Blanca"
She smiled at Peter also. showing her
pretty white teeth, as he drew near the
forbidding screen.
"Hello!" she greeted him gayIy.
Hello. but cannot shake hands,
"WOuld your" Peter asked her grave
ly. Would you If you could?"
why notT laughed Blanca, you
will be free" she added quickly. II ask
the man at the desk II they send you
to jail and he frOwn. and he say he
think not. They send you back per
haps where you belong. But. Petro."
she whispered softly. when you are
free you will COME back to me? Prom
ise. am your wife,
The boy, leaned YEARLY against the
screen. Through 1t came the fragrant
breath Of roses In her hair.
promise, Petro." the glrl caressing-
ly implored him.
II will come back to you. Bianca.""
he answered evenly. She laughed a
little as she turned away. ass
"GoOdby." she said. And as she
came out again into the light and
found the italian still waiting In pa-
ient hopelessness Blanca anticipated
the burning question OF his eyes
"No." she said, slowly shaking her
hQQd. Nna snani. ha uaua~ onFua ~ oh