The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-07-07
night, he will proceed to force; A

night, he will proceed to force; An
toms life itself may not be SAFE"
They were ascending the second
flight of stairs now, and Marco was
peering down at them suspiciously
1T is some one to see Anton" the girl
explained. Father Paul was slightly
acquainted with Marco. He greeted
him pleasantly, then all three entered
the studio. But when the priest had
been presented to Anton, there was no
reason for Marco to linger, so with an
affectionate hand on Francesca's
shoulder he and his sister withdrew.
She shivered little beneath his touch,
realizing that she was prisoner, and
he went with her to her own room.
1--WE will wait" he said coldly "the
priest will not stay long; you can go
back when he leaves
A sudden loathing seized her; be-
sides she had given her warning. De-
fiance leaped, famed into her eyes.
Il will not go back" she said. Cow
ard, traitor, that you are-you cannot
compel mel"
CAS- to that we shall see," he re-
turned menacingly, then paused, listen
ing: footsteps were approaching; An
ton was going out with the priest.
Il am taking Anton with me- the
priest remarked suavely, meeting Mar
CO in the hall, Il am taking him to the
church, that he may judge for himself
just what manner of angels will suit
st. Lorenzos." And they passed out.
Marco frowned. 1t was not likely
that Anton would return to the studio
today, as it was now evening, and he
slept elsewhere; but this would be a
good opportunity for Marco himself to
search the studio, as it might be that
Francesca had only pretended to do
so. He turned to the room in which
he had left her and locked the door.
He did not think she had as yet warn
ed Anton, but it occurred to him that
in the defiant mood which now pos
sessed her-so unlike his usually do
Gle sister-she might do so.
A systematic search of the studio,
however, revealed nothing of the mys-
terious coloring; Anton, then, must
keep it, or the formula, on his person.
Why wait, then, till tomorrow to force
him to disclose, or give up his secret?
Francesca had plainly shown that she
would not try to entice the secret from
the artist; if things could be arranged
he would be waylaid tonight. ~
Father Paul had meanwhile taken
the artist to his own house, and only
when he was quite sure that they were
safe from prying eyes and treacherous
ears did he deliver Francesca's warn
ing. Il would suggest" concluded the
priest, that you send for any of your
possessions at the house of Marco, in
forming him that you have found an
other, better studio; it is very sim
ple."
Simple" repeated Anton in grave
surprise, "its is impossible; for the
reason that / could not work in any
other studio.
but why?" Father Paul was great
ly puzzled.
Because of Francesca the artist
returned. 1T is for her sake I have
kept my studio at Marcos house, and
put up with wrong and insult from
him, hoping / might win him to look
with favor on my suit. At first it was
my poverty he could not tolerate
now, alas, it is my success
obviously he is most unreason-
able the priest remarked. why do
you trouble with him? Gain the girls
and the mothers consent
But the mother" Anton explained
hopelessly, relies absolutely on Mar
co.'s Judgment and my dear Francesca
is so good that she will not listen to
a word Of love from me while her peo-
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