The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-09-04

died, he would assuredly have sufferes
that death OF the soul which Ia tn.
penalty for all who are cut OF from
the msnistrations of the church. Blu
now, since he repents, bid you TAX,
him back and pardon him"
My husbandi Zeuxis7 was too
astounded TO utter word. The prizes
resumed:
Those ignorant peasants think yor
are an immortal. But am scientist
and know that you have flown from
France In one OF the new airships te
win back the vRgrant love of the mar
with whom you plighted your troth
Marriage 10 sacrament, my daugh
ter; II cannot be dissolved this side Of
the grave. MAdemoiselle Torlandc
has consented to relinquish him to
you. Forgive him; he viii return TO
France with you. Or, IL he refuse
| He spoke in Italian again and
seemed to thunder forth some terrible
anathema. The woman bowed her
head and wept wildly.
| l understood then. The good priest,
knowing that zeuxis had abandoned
his lawful wife in France, imagined
that was she. and that the purport of
my visit had been to win back the ras-
calls love.
Indignation overpowered me; then
the humor of the situation came to my
aid and saved me.
You agree to accompany me7"
asked the Greek.
Yes, yes" he muttered hastily. But
not In the aeroplane."
And that will not be necessary"
the priest replied, for yacht has just
arrived In the harbor from Marseilles,
and doubtless passage can be procured
on It. will recommend you" he add
ed confidently
AS he turned to comfort the weeping
woman ! whispered to Zeuxis hastily:
You will come, thenf Remember,
the government guarantees you an am.
nesty. provided you give evidence. But
you must tell all"
Zeuxis clenched his fists. Aye, I
win come" he muttered back, "And
then--I shall seek out my enemy and
with my knife. He stopped to gath
or his thoughts. ION the yacht--yes.
but not In the acceptance" he con-
cluded.
A roar OF voices. rising and falling
on the wind. interrupted his soliloquy.
We started and looked through the
open door. The cries grew louder,
and suddenly mob of men came run
ming along the narrow street, gesticu-'
lating and cursing They swerved to-
ward us with single motion, as
school OF fish that veer In deep water,
and forcing the priest. who sought to
bar the path, aside, burst into the cot
tage and surrounded us. And at their
head was--Leopold Magniff!
Yes, that arbitrator, to Illustrate
whose Vaccinations / had made my
perilous passage In the aeroplane-and
here In Corsical Doubtless he had ar
rived In the yacht which. as the priest
had told me. lay in the harbor. He
must have learned of my movements
from the newspapers and. shrewdly
surmising the object of my journey,
had chartered a vessel at Marseilles
and sailed to forestall me.
But this conclusion was the result
OF subsequent cogitations; for at the
moment seeing him here, l was over
come with horror and dread. At the
very moment OF victory he had circum-
vented me. raised the peasants against
me. cutting OFF all chance of rescue.
They thrust their faces In mine. bay
ing me like pack of hungry wolves.
"Ah, madame, do not look round and
think of your aeroplane," said Leopold
mockingly. 1T Is destroyed; 1t lies,
heap of broken metal and wood, in
the center of the market place" He
turned to the priest. Il demand pos
session of my lawful wife, he cried.
and flung forged marriage certificate
upon the broken table
The good father glanced at 1t and,
involuntarily, shrank back from me.
He looked Mt me with trembling lips.
1T is falsel" shouted detlantly.
The priest made as II to speak; then,
abandoning the effort. which proved
beyond his power, turned away. NUT.
tering to himself and wringing his
hands. | must. indeed have appeared
very much married to his eyes. What
an abandoned monster OF wickedness |
seemed to the good man.
understood now the frenzy of these
good peasants against me. The run
away wife Is not an object OF sympathy
in rural districts.
Leopold came to me with a sneer,
pushing aside the men who stood In
his way
Madame" he said mockingly.
comet Our yacht lies in the harbor."
looked round in desperation to see
II aid would come from any quarter.
looked at the priest, but he was max
ing his way sorrowfully toward the
door, Zeuxis cowed by this sudden APP
pearance of his erstwhile confederate,
had sunk to the floor and stared at
him with mixture OF hate and terror.
And all around me the peasants glared
at me, waiting upon Leopold's word to
tear me limb from limb. If he so or.
dered.