The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-27
Copyright, 1916, BY Arthur Stringer)
FIRST EPISODE.
On WindMard Island.

Wtndward Island.
On the most westerly lip of that
island, shaded by a grove OF rustlins
eucalyptus trees, a man and woman
stood staring across the beryl-tinted
sea-arn to where the shores OF South
Carolina lay low ana dim in the dis
lance.
you were not made for a life like
this" said the man, speaking with
that full-voweled softness peculiar
TO the Italian voice. And equally
soft were the ardent Latin eyes which
rested for a moment in the milky
Wilderness OF the woman's open
throat
'Tt's the only life I've known for
nine long years" she answered, with
out looking at him. She was still a
young woman, though into her eyes.
rs the man at her side had spoken,
crept some deeper and subtler trou-
bic unknown to mere youth. Yet
she answered guardedly, for she
stood vaguely in fear of this soft
eyed Italian. with the hint of iron
beneath the velvet OF his voice.
"And It's the only life you ever
win know" he declared with sudden
TO the fact that your husband is mad
I am physician, and l know. No
sane man brings g. woman to an
island like this, to an island that's
only At for clans and seagulls. and
spends the best years of his life
yes, and her life--looking for a nj
trate mine that never existed and
never could exist In such a place.
And that nitrate, dear lady, was
planted there by Golden himself. For
your husband is deceiying you-de~
ceiving you the same as he deceives
that army of negro workers. That
army digs in the sand. acre by acre,
week by week and month by month,
but Golden never even expected 20
find nitrate mine"
That's not true" cried the startled
woman.
Again the Italian laughed.
There's more than that is true.
This man 10 digging and tunnellng
through these miles of empty sand
for something far different 10 nj
trates. He's searching for gold, yell
low cold-rnillions of dollars worth
of gold. But that gold he will never
find, for Ii exists only in his magma
tion. He's obsessed with the idea
that somewhere under these sands
lies buried treasure. He was weak
enough to let a few old maps and
papers deceive hira into that belief
But after all these years. what has
hs found?"
Il cannot allow you to shake my
faith in my husband" declared the
unhappy woman.
But what has he done to deserve
that faith? He's deceived you, along
with his blacks" The woman drew
back as the Italian placed hand
on her arm. And in seeking his
buried gold he has neglected some
thing much more precious.
~ cannot listen 10 words like that
protested tho axure-eyed wife. Il will
not!"
That's because you are afraid OF
the truth. Why do you suppose
Golden has spent thousands and thou
sands in saving this miserable island
from the oeean2 Why has he put up
seawails and dykes, and constructed
a great lsvee like that TO keep the
open Atlantic from encroaching ON
these precious sand fields Of his at
every high tide? Why. except to keep
the water back from that buried
treasure OF his? And what has all
this madness brought TO you?'
ct think regret only the day that
brought you TO Windward Island, she
quietly replied as their eyes met.
And /, too, shall regret that day If
1t means ] must go away empty
handed"
81 think my husband would kill YOU
IL he heard you speak 10 me like this"
Palidori shrugged shoulder.
He is ut least watching us from
the porch OF the manor house there"
announced the Italian. And that I
must accept as compliment"
II cannot believe you or believe In
youi Even If what yoa say is trtfe,
how should you know his maps and
papers are worthiess?"
Still again the Italian laughed his
soft laugh. ITO discover that, dear
lady. first brought me TO this island
But having discovered you. ] no
longer lament the loss of mere goldl"
but you are taking something
worth more than gold away from me.
You are robbing me Of my trust In
my husband"
''Only. signora. that light may bring
you liberty. Butt listen; If you doubt
me. / merely ask that you hand me
your husbands keys. Then l will
bring to you a bag Of this Chilean
nitrate that he keeps hidden away in
his inner study that he scatters
about In the plantation sands to salt
his famous mine with. You hesitate.
naturally. But il this is not true.
why should that inner room be SO
Jealously locked and guarded"
1T Is guarded only because the
Golden jewels are kept there" was
the triumphant retort-"jewels worth
kings ransom!"
Yet his loveliest jewel is not kept
under lock and key" murnlured Pail
dori. He spoke more quietly as they
approached the manor house, know
ing Golden was watching. But O.
sudden dangerous light leaned into
his dark eyes. Listen. You are still
afraid. am afraid of nothing. And
this Is for your own happiness. I'm
less you tell me you win bring that
key to the shrubbery beyond the
manor house, l win take you In NV
arms here. under your husbands
eyes!'
She hesitated, white-faced, as he
repeated the command.
Yes" she gasped as a fafr-haired
child of ran lightly from the manor