The Washington times., 1918-03-28
Buy Food With the Money"

cts ana ldlO lheu on the table.
Good. Are they all there:"
Yes"
Buy Food With the Money"
Lillian did not attempt to contra
dict the woman's lie. The most val
liable ring, a large opal, had not
been brought out. But she judged
It wiser not to incense the bag, who
would no doubt have some authority
in the absence OF Pietro.
THE money you need not restore.
With 1t you may go out and pur-
chase food such as the signora can
eat, also wine and white bread. Ma
rietta, YOU can do this at once" The
girl made an inpatient gesture. Il
shall be here on your return" he
added, threateningly.
NO. ] will not be the servant Of
this woman" cried Marietta. an
Erily, and in her own language.
Why have you brought her here.
Pietro? She is fair OF face, and
like II not. She Is q thing OF use to
all of us, but"
Hold your tongue. silly wench.r
shouted Pietro. "How dare you die
tate to me: You are here to do my
bidding"
The blood boils in my veins"
returned the girl. 81 am yours, yes,
but no other woman"
Mai, Mai, No Stiletto."
He struck her heavily in the face.
"Now. take the money and 60" he
commanded The girls hand stole
quickly to her side, but Pietro
caught her by the wrist and Jerked
the knife away, so that it fell clat-
tering to the floor. He laughed at
her discontinue.
"You are a fool, Marietta" he
said calmly. You are always jeal-
GUS without cause. / am good
natured to submit to it. There,
donnina"-he kissed her cheek
roughly where he had struck her
do as I hid you, and you will not
regret It."
She returned his caress passion
ately, and. taking some of the
money which the old woman had
placed upon the table, left the room
But she scowled at Lillian as she
turned away.
Pietro Gives Instructions.
And now, mother" Pietro went
on, calmly, and as il nothing had
happened, listen 10 me, for l may
be absent during the daytime, and
you must know what TO do. The
signora has this room to herself
you understand. to herself. An
tonic has returned. and he will re-
main outside in the passage with
i Il.
and that no one goes out" he
added, with a quick glance at Lii
liam. Antonio VIII take in food
and all that is necessary" he went
on, land you, mother shall prepare
IT,. Marietta shall 20 out with
FREDERICK; she is best out OF the
way. And now I wish TO speak to
the signors alone" He pointed to
the door, and without a word OF
protest the old woman hobbled out.
She evidently stood in great fear OF
her son.
They Talk Over Terms"
And now. mi!ady," he began, as
soon as the door closed, "let us
talk" He lit a long cigar in spite
OF Lillian's presence. and the foul
VI II doC0 Ait
For heavens sake open the win
dow" she cried. Il have been
smothered here through tl.is vile
night. ! feel unclean and defiled.
The air is poisonous. You have
treated me shamefully while l am
helpless in your hands"
He did as she asked him. You
shall not complain again" he said.
mot unless the task you set me
proves hopeless. II il is successful,
you shall return to your own home
without a hurt. I tell you this, and
no one will disobey me here"
Those women hate me now. How
will they behave to me in your alb
sence?'
Have no fear; they will not dare
TO touch you"
Lillian shrugged he' shoulders.
She had drawn her chair to the
open window. She was utterly mis-
cradle. and she felt that she must
appear ridiculous. dressed as she
was in the long coarse closls, with
her hair in disorder and her face
and hands unwsshed. Vet to lose
her temper was utterly useless. and
could only result in greater physi-
cal discomfort
i must bear it. | must bear it,"
she muttered to herself. lit is a
little while only"
Pardon. milady:r asked the man,
thinking she had spoken to him.
Don't call me 'nilady.'" she said.
irTitsbiy. You know that il is
years since l have used my real
name. I am Nrs. Wilioughby to
you and everyone"
He stretched out his thin hands
depr NcstinEly. His fingers were
peculiarly long. white, and subtle.
1T is as the signora Wishes" he
said.
Let Ne understand each other,
Pedro" said Lillian, after a pause.
cit is absurd that there should be
any pretebAe at sentiment between
us. You hate me. and have taken
this method of revenginE yourself
upon me, as we'll as making money
for yourself have been foolish
enough TO fall into the trap you set
for. me. :, You ask $50. 100 for my
ransom. and failing that you
threaten 10 do away with me. You
ar. clever at that sort Of businssr
and YOU think YOU can do IL with
impunity." Here Fietro bowed as
though he hGd been paid a compi-