The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-03-02


ears from within the strange prison
house.
She won't trouble you long," Pietrt
the lion tanner was saying
What do you mean?" asked Niche
Mario. ~
No answer came Immediately anC
Pauline rising to her feet, peered out
She saw tie hand of Pietro returning
to his breast something that flashed
menacingly in the sun. For an in
slant she drew back, her hand pressed
to her heart.
Panic seized her. With fear came
strength-almost courage She dashed
from her shelter out In the midst oil
he circle of the covered wagons, tn
lolling people.
The gypSieS were taken by surprise
Pauline running toward the woods be-
yond tn wagons, had gained a good
hundred yards before the startled cry
OF Pietro announced that he had dis
covered Ter escape.
The shouts and screams of fifty men
and woman rang behind her. But ter
ror lent her speed. She did not feel
the tumult of her tired heart until she
sank, crouching in a copse of briar
just beyond the camp enclosure.
There, in half swocn, She heard the
thud of many footsteps. She realized
dim0y that the gypsies were searching
the woods for her. She felt that her
hiding place was secure-but she did
not hnow the woodcraft of the strange
| people who had been her captors
1t was only few minutes after she
sank fainting in the copse that the
heavy, low-set head of Pietro peered
through the bushes.
| Pietro grinned evilly. He turned as
! Ii to call the other gypsies, but SEEM
ed to change his mind. He stopped
over Pauline, who lay still now, eX-
hausted, frightened beyond her
strength.
Pietro looked back again. The sound
of the hunt was growing more distant.
He drew the knife from his breast.
He will ask more and more money
IL he holds her prisoner. 1t Is best
to end it now" he muttered.
He raised the knife. Pauline did not
even make sound. She tried to raise
herself but fell back upon the ground.
All she could do was gaze at the as
sassin with wide wondering eyes. For
there was a marvel and mystery I'M
fatI omable to her innocent heart in
such colossal cruelty.
AS Pietro poised the knife for the
deadly blow, she watched it, fascinated
The knife descended She shut her
eyes, awaiting the swift death
Death did not come. The heavy hand
of Pietro was caught in a grasp even
mightier than his own. The knife was
caught from him and he was flung
back.
Michel Mario bent over Pauline.
so; you tried to escape me?" he
questioned in his musical voice. Come
my beautiful one You do not under
stand how kind are my people to those
who are beautiful. This" he added,
with turning gesture towards Pietro,
lis craven interloper, a pariah among
us"
He raised Pauline. She tried to
thrust him back, but could not He took
no advantage of her weakness, but be-
gan to lead her kindly, with almost
deterrent care, back towards the camp. !
AS they entered the circle of the wa
CONS, the Princess Singoalla was
treading softly behind them. She rush |
ed to Mario's side, her clenched hands
lifted above her head.
so You have found a new friend |
ship--so soon" she screamed, imped-
ing him.
With his free hand he reached out |
and struck her viciously. She fell,
and for moment covered on the
ground. Then she raised herself swift
ly and sprang towards the road, 1.-THE |
as a tigress.
Michel Mario led Pauline back to the
J.as.. LEA ~ sAe
trance with courtly bow.
Harry returning early according to
his promise to Pauline, left his runa-
bout at the garage and hurried into
the house, calling her name cheeriiy.
Owen hurried from his room and
came downstairs.
where is Pauline?" asked Harry.
I'm sure l don't know, Mr.. Marvin,
| have been reading. The last l saw
Of her, think, was when she was see
Ing you off-down at the gate"
You mean outside the gate2"
Yes; she was waving to you from
the roadway"
A black cloud fell over Harry's
He ran up the stairs,
and pounded on Pauline's door. He
came down again, and rushed out to
the garage. He asked hurried ques-
tions of the men who had taken charge
Of the runabout. They did not remem-
Der seeing Miss Pauline for several
hours.
Harry ran towards the garden, call
Ing her name with his hands to his
Owen came out on the YER
anda, seemingly excited and worried,
but as Harry turned back to the garage
the secretarys look of concern chang
ed quickly to one of grim delight.
"This time you will not find her,
he muttered to himself.
Leave the machine outside; I'll take
1t again." ordered Harry.
He sprang to the seat and spend
down the long drive, through the gate
and out on the woodfringed road.
Again he was depending on the !,
strange, protecting fate that had SO
often guided him to Pauline. But he
had sometimes had a clew; now he