The Washburn leader., 1914-09-04
BIANCA
MICELE
By ESTHER VANDEVEER


corridor and stopped at cell where
he could see a girl through the bars.
He stood looking at her with curious
expression on his face, the expression
of one who would gaze upon beau
tiful leopard in a cage. She was a
peasant, but endowed with a beauty
that highborn dame might envy.
She returned his gaze as one would
look upon q. captor-with hate, min
gled with the knowledge that she was
powerless to crafty it.
WELL" he said, you see what crime
has brought you to. You are wo-
man, and the government dislikes to
tnhict on you the punishment Of man.
I have told the public prosecutor that
If he will spare you, let you 60 free,
you will return to the mountains and
lead an orderly life; that you will dis
band your troop and advise them to
live honestly hereafter"
AS he proceeded the girls express
sion changed to one that he did not
understand, for he was infatuated
with her. He had been sent to cap
ture q troop of bandits who were
pouncing on persons, whom they held
for ransom. and had found girl In
command. He had succeeded in trap
ping her and few of her band and
brought them to Rome.
II will not trouble the police again
and will advise my men not to do so.
1t is not the prosecutor that pardons
me of his own accord. You have
saved my life," she said.
"The only recompense l wish is to
see you good girl"
Lieutenant Morini the next day came
again to the Jail with pardon for
Blanca Micele, took her out of prison
and proceeded with her by rail to Cas-
tellammare, thence up the steep heights
behind it till he reached the summit.
On reaching certain point she gave a
''too-hoo" and couple of men sprang
from behind rocks and advanced to-
ward her and her conductor.
'"Take this man." she said. Into the
ravine and give him the stiletto."
The two men drew back. Morini
was in uniform. and they hesitated at
numbering one Of the carabineers SIM
ply to crafty their leader, we'll know
ing that for doing SO they would be
hunted to the death.
"Signorina," said one of them. why
do you wish to put him out of the
way?"
"Well. since you don't wish it. send
him down again. But you are wrong.
He will return with force strong
enough to take us. and our lives will
pay for such folly"
The two bandits consulted in an un-
dertone. Then the one who had
spoken said:
1--WE will obey you If you command
us to do this. but we do not advise it !"
"Send him away" said Blanca.
Morini. who had expected death. lost
no time in descending from the heights.
But no sooner had he reached safe
distance than he proved the truth OF
the girls words by resolving that he
would never rest till he had got her
again in his power and punished her
for her treachery and more especially
for her ingratitude. This she OWNED
when she consented that be should 60
free.
The police soon heard of more depre-
dations on the part Of the band whom
Blanca was to advise to change their
occupation. and 1t was reported that
she was still at their head. Morini
was laughed at by his companions and
was impatient to get revenge on the
woman who had not only spurned
but ridiculed him. He went himself in
disguise to reconnoiter the position oc-
cupied by the band. then took sufi-
cient number of carabineers to sur
round their camp. But he failed to
surprise them and was obliged to fight
In order to get them into his posses
sion.
Morini was with party Of his men
who attacked a rude fort the bandits
had thrown up across the mouth Of
Il pocket. Failing to pick OF his enc
mics in sufficient numbers. he deter
mined to carry the work by assault.
As he stood on 1t. about to leap down
into 1t. man put the muzzle of bis
gun to the lieutenant's breast. But
the ball went over his shoulder, for
Blanca. who was there. knocked the
gun up with her own piece.
That was the end Of the matter. ev-
cry person belonging to the band be-
ing captured. with their girl leader.
and all being taken to Naples.
"Well. lieutenant" said his command
er. $50 you have captured that little
devil. i presume that now you are
satisfied to let Justice take its coursS
''As to that am in worse fx than
before"
"Why"
Had it not been for the little dewitt
l would not now be here. One Of ~
men fred at me with the muzzle Of his
gun close against my breast. She
knocked his gun up. and the bullet,
instead Of going into my heart, graxed
by ear"
The officer laughed. but secretly he
was pleased. He had no stomach for
shooting woman, and this afforded
him an oYc,,oo Tho honA xu0pn i,on%