The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-08-06
BLANCA
MICELE
By ESTHER VANDEvEER

corridor and stopped at a cell where
he could see 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 beauty
that a highborn dame might envy.
She returned his gaze as one would
look upon captor-with hate, min
gIed with the knowledge that she was
powerless to crafty 1t.
"Well," he said, you see what crime
has brought you to. You are wo-
man, and the government dislikes to
infiict on you the punishment OF man.
I have told the public prosecutor that
If he win spare you, let you go free,
you will return TO the mountains ana
lead an orderly life; that you will dis
band your troop and advise them 10
1--we honestly hereafter"
As he proceeded the girls express
sion changed to one that he did not
understand, for be was infatuated
with her. He had been sent to cap
ture a troop Of bandits who were
bouncing on persons, whom they held
for ransom, and had found girl In
command. He had succeeded In trap
ping her and a few of her band ana
brought them to Rome.
II WILL not trouble the police again
and will advise my men not to do SO.
II is not the prosecutor that paroons
me of his own accord. You have
saved my ife,' she said.
1.-THE only recompense ! wish Is 10
see you q good girl"
Lieutenant Morini the next day came
again to the Jail with a pardon Tor
Blanca Mieele, 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
"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
rayine 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, well know
ing that for doing SO they would De
hunted to the death.
"Sicnorina," said one of them, why
do you wish TO put him out OF the
wayT'
"WelI, since you don't wish 1t. SEND
him down again. But you are wrong
He will return with a force strong
enough to take us, and our lives Will
pay for such folly"
The two bandits consulted in an IN
dertone. Then the one who had
spoken said:
1--WE will obey you If you command
ns TO do this, but we do not advise 1t.
"Send him away" said Blanca.
Morini. who had expected death, lost
no time In descending from the heights
But no sooner had be reached sale
distance than he proved the truth OF
the girls words by resolving that ne
would never rest till he had got her
again in his power and punished het
for her treachery and more especially
for her ingratitude. This she uvlheu
when she consented that he should go
free.
The notice soon heard of more depre-
dations on the part of the band wnom
Rinnca was to advise to change their
OCCUPATION. and it was reported that
she was still at their head. Morlnl
was laughed at by his companions ana
was impatient to get revenge on tne
woman who had not only spurned
hnt ridiculed him. He went himself IN
disguise to reconnoiter the position oc-
cupied by the band, then took sum
Gent number of carabineers to sur
round their camp. But he failed 10
surprise them and was obliged TO nght
in order to get them into his posses
sion.
Morini was with party of bis men
who attacked a rude fort the banoits
had thrown up across the mouth OF
a pocket. Failing to pick off his enc
mics In sufficient numbers, he deter
mined TO carry the work by assault
AS he stood on Ii. about to leap down
into il, a man put the muzzle OF his
gun TO the lieutenant's breast. But
fine ball went over his shoulder, Tor
Blanca, who was there, knocked the
gun up with her own piece.
That was the end Of the matter, ev-
erv person belonging TO the band be-
ing captured, with their girl leader
and all being taken 10 Naples.
"Well. lieutenant" said his command
or so you have captured that little
devil. / presume that now you are
satisfied to let justice take its course"
"As to that am in a worse fix than
before"
''whyT'
"Had IL not been for the little devil
I would not now be here. One OF her
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. grazed
my ear"
The officer laughed, but secretly he
was pleased. He had no stomach Tor
shooting a woman. and this Afforded
him an excuse. The band were kept
for months without any definite action
OF the government: then they were re
leased on condition that they leave
Tsalw