The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-06-20
ful. half inarticulate cry Mari clasped
her trembling hands.

Peter" she whispered-"oh, Peter!
Dumbly the guilty youth stood peering
through his cage. The wooden shawl
which the girl wore fen back from her
head. revealing the well remembered
clustering curls. The sound Of his
home tongue upon her lips brought
sob to Peters throat.
II came" Mari went on breathlessly,
Ito you, beloved Because you had
not been able 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 30 clever, Peter
could Of myself earn 50 much money,
enough to bring me to the far America.
But me. alone-I did it." The trium-
plant tone turned now to one Of deep
compassion. "And you. my Peter
the girl said quickly-"they have made
you suffer. Because of a cruel. wicked
mistake they have placed you here
behind their great locked doors.
"'He Is married in this country, the
men tell Inc, but ask them how can
that be. 1t is foolish, for Is not my
Peter my husband. 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
I come away angry"
The girl tossed her head. BE brave,
beloved" she said, land all will yet be
well.
do not grieve that ! must go
back, for so they have ordered. Re
turn Mt once to your own country the
stern man said. as though that were
punishment to me. ! am glad-glad
to 60.
Here the people are so strange and
fine 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 a sudden hopeless gesture,
Peter stretched forth his arms.
mari" he murmured brokenly, If
I could but touch your hand"
Have l not. then, the same long
ingw she answered TREMENDOUSLY. "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
land.
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
by forevermore. so you will never care
again to wander"
Mari" the boy cried out in despair,
"how may I then come to you'll who
am SO unworthy?"
An attendant laid kindly hand upon
the girls shoulder. Times up" be
reminded. Mari looked back through
the screen with reproachful eyes.
You unworthy. Peter?" she said ten
derly. "You"- Then obediently Mari
followed on up the stair. Outside be-
fore the Jail dark faced Italian paus'
ed to adjust the golden harp which he
carried. At his side, in bizarre cos
tune, tripped q red Tipped girl. With
swift sidelong glance at the man she
fiirted her beribboned tambourine.
IL 20 in there. Toni" she said. IL not
play on the boat today" The Italian
stood looking down upon her with O
sort of logged devotion.
you go to see him. Bianca." he said
The who was not your husband. he
fool you and lie to you, yet you can for
give" The girl shrugged her shout
ders.
What do forgiven she asked pert
~. He leave her for me. If he leave
me for her'-Bianca's eyes narrowed
but Petro he not do that" she said
Halfway to the impressive entrance
she turned back to smile at him. "YOu
walt for me. ToniT' she called, and the
Italian answered with sad resigna.
ton:
Always 1 wait for you, Blanca"
She smiled at Peter also, showing hel
pretty white teeth. as he drew near the
forbidding screen
"Hello" she greeted him gayly
"Hello. but cannot shake hands"
would your" Peter asked her grave
~. would you If you could7"
"Why notY' 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
Use. am your wife,"
The boy leaned YEARLY against the
screen. Through 1t came the fragrant
breath Of roses In her hair.
Promise. Petro." the girl caressing.
ly implored him.
II will come back to you. Bianca,'
he answered evenly. She laughed q
little as she turned away.
"Goodby." she said. And as she
came out again into the light and
found the Italian still waiting in pa
tent hopelessness Blanca anticipated
the burning question Of his eyes.
"No." she said. slowly shaking hel
head; mo. Toni; he never come bach
to me; never, any more" The mum
leaned forward. unbelieving.
Il MA -