The diamond drill., 1921-04-30

her prosecutor In mortal peril. Yes.
hers had been the look, except for
which the hand had not been lifted.
She turned TO her fellow-criminal,
the youth so lately innocent, whom
she had drawn into her doom. and
pressed him close, close 10 her bosom,
with a cllnging embrace that brought
their hearts together. "Yes, Donated
10. you speak the TRUTH" said she.
my heart consented. The deed knots
us together like the coil OF a serpent"
They threw one glance at the heap
of death below to assure themselves
that II was not all a dream-then
turned from the fatal precipice and
made their way back into the city
arm In arm and heart in heart.
An agreement had been entered into
before the moonlight tragedy had
taken place that the four friends
should meet next morning in the
Church Of the Capuchins TO study to-
gether Guido's famous picture OF 81.
Michael and Satan. Thither at the
hour agreed upon Miriam and Dona-
teilo turned their steps. Conscious
Of secret guilt. they were the more
anxious to Keep casual engagement.
But, when they drew near the
church. Kenyon alone was waiting for
them. Hilda had promised 10 be OF
the party, but she was not there. The
three pushed back the heavy curtain
and entered the nave, only 10 have
their gaze arrested at once by con-
spicuous object. On n slightly elevated
bier lay the dead body OF monk, tall
candles burning at his head and feet.
The rigid figure was clad I'm the brown
woolen frock OF the Capuchins, with
the hood drawn over the head but
so as TO leave the features uncovered.
Something seemed 10 act like mag
net upon Miriam. She passed between
two OF the lighted candles and looked
down. my Godv she murmured,
'what Is thisf" She grasped Dona-
tello's hand and felt him give a con-
vulsive shudder. No wonder that their
blood curdled. The dead face OF the
monk gazing al them beneath It's half
closed eyellds was the same vlsage
that had glared upon their naked souls
the night before as Donatello had flung
him over the precIpice. What did II
mean7 Kenyon drew near. perceived
their agitation, and started 10 say
something. But Miriam laid her
finger to her lips and quietly said,
Hush" From the shadowy church |
the tree emerged into the Roman sun |
light, Kenyon TO go In search OF Hill |
da, but leaving darker shadow stlll |
10 settle down upon the lovers. The
young Italian was petrified with hor-
ror. Miriam tried TO cheer him, assur-
Ing him OF her undying love. But she J
met with no response. They parted. |
almost as strangers, IL being agreed |
that Donatello should seek his castle
In the mountains.
went to pay long-planned visit He
found the poor faun sadly changed.
The idea OF a lifelong penance had
taken firm possession Of Donateilo.
He was intent on finding some meth
cd OF self-torture. Kenyon, knowing
now something Of what had happened.
arranged with Miriam that she should
be In the public square OF Perugia on
a specified day. near the statue OF |,
Pope Julius. There the lovers met
again. The sense of their mutual
crime had stunned. but not destroyed
the youths affection. They needed
one another. Kenyon cheered and en-
couraged them. Their two lives flowed
together and the great bronze statue
Of the Pope. his hand outreached In
a papal benediction. beneath which
they had met. appeared 10 impart .
blessing on their marriage.
So Kenyon went back to Rome to
WOO the gentle HIlda. whose sensitive