Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-06-28

III VI III " dIlO Ldi OS SA0
woods.
She did not stop until she came to a
little shanty far away up the side of the
mountain. Hesitatinsly she knocked at
the door, which was immediately open-
ed.
Three men were sitting In the room
around q table playing cards. She
looked at them for a m and quiet
ly said:
Il will deliver Angelo into your
hands, and told them how they might
easily catch him.
Her tale came clear and plain. but
never once dared to meet their glapces
of contempt.
How could she know that, even if
she was fond of gold. she did not be-
money, but because she had no other
way of carrying out her vendetta. Was
it not perfectly right of her to take
revenge upon her enemies?
Evening had come. The clouds which
had concealed the sun from view all
day had Disappeared, and the moon
was shining brightly, Illuminating ev-
cry nook and corner of the cemetery OF
the village.
kneeling down alongside u grave. HIS
hands are folded as If in prayer, but he
is not praying. He is thinking OF the
past. He sees himself once more a
happy boy in the house OF his mother.
who loved him better than her life.
He sees his mother as she looked when
his father had been laid to rest, all
in black and crying while clasping
him to her bosom. Il thank you. Lord.
that l have still my boy left to live for"
And he thought of the happy years
when she had given her love in full
measure to him and his little friend.
Christina.
Then he shudders when he remem-
bers the day when his playmate had
w him:
You are too ~poor-there Is some
body else who wants to marry me. and
who is rich and can give me anything
l wish. Forget your love OF me. Angelo.
l am going to marry Pedro"
The same evening Pedro vas killed
by a bullet which hit him squarely be-
tween the eyes,. and Angelo had fled
to the mountains.
When Angeles mother heard of her
sons crime, she dropped dead without
a sound. Also for her death Angelo
blamed the girl. He hated her. hated
her as much as he had loved her be-
fore, and swore that as long as he lived
she should nave no mar to protect her.
Another man wooed her. but was
found shot between the eyes as was
Pedro, and since then no man had
dared to go near her.
Angeles conscience did not trouble
him because of these murders; his only
sorrow was hat his crime had killed
his mother, and every year on the Sum-
day of the lead he risks his life to
kneel down at his mothers grave and
ask her forgiveness.
He is 80 absorbed in his thoughts
that he does not hear a noise IN the
bushes near the wall behind him. 1t is
Christina, who Is s%neaking ahead of the
arrest him. And then she will have
her gold, heaps OF glittering gold.
enough to crafty all her wishes for
life.
She rejoiees in the expectation Of
soon being able to leave the osteria,
but when she sees the figure of her
c~hildhood's friend kneeling at the grave
of his mother. she feels that she is
playing the part of Judas against a,
man whose only early crime is that he
loved her too much and who must now
live the life of q hunted beast.
And the thought of the blood none
nearly choked her. She jumps to her
feet. This time Angelo has heard and.
he stands there rifle in hand ready to
shoot. His eye, however. recognizes
her as a woman and he lets her come
nearer.
Angelo" she cries, for Gods sake
Angelo flee. Run away as fast as you
can. They are coming"
"Who?"
"The carabinieri."
How do you know"
He seizes her hands in a grip of iron
which nearly brushes every bone it it.
Run Angelo, run" she gasps.
You miserable creature he Kisses
between his teeth, and draws his still
ettO.
angelo, Angelo!" is all she can say.
as she sinks down on the grave at his
feet. He raises the weapon to thrust
1t into her heart.
Angelo, on your Mothers grave
His hand sinks down.
You are right. you contemplate
creature. l will not shed your blood to
desecrate this holy spot. but will get
= revenge-you shall see.'
She falls to the ground in a swoon as
, his experienced ear hears the sound O.
approaching steps and in one bound
he is on the other side of the wall.
A few seconds later the GARDINER
are in the graveyard. Clouds are again
hiding the moon, but in the dim Ugh,
they are still able to see the figure
Frustrated on the grave.
How is 1T possible that he has not
heard them. No. he must have heard
them long ago, and must have decided
to surrender, or maybe he was watch
ing his chance to shoot them down.
Angelo" the officer in command oil
the carabinieri shouts. Surrender or we
will shoot"
No SOUND. The figure does not stir.
Surrender! there is no escape, my
men are all around you'll"
He does not move.
For the third time the officer shouts
his warning. and when he gets no ans
wer he orders his men to fire.
A cry pierces the air, and Christina
has paid the penalty Of her crime.
While the landlady Of the Bell Inn at