Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-12-29
CHAPTER ".
"Give, oh give me back my child -

|
tsGive, oh give back my child -
1t was late after the day of the festal, that the
Countess Trevorra, sent for her daughter to visit
her in her room; but the page returned with the
tidings that she could not be found.
| The waiting maid was instantly summoned,
who knew nothing father than that her mistress
dismissed her early on the preceding evening,
saying that she should be absent on the morrow,
and should not require her attendance.
At this moment, girl entered with two letters,
which were found upon the table in Lucrezia's
apartment.
"This forbodes no good,'' said the Count, as he
seized them and hastily glanced at their super
scription, and broke the seal of one which bore
the handwriting of his daughter.
1t was evidently written in haste, and the pa
per was blistered with tears.
s'You may deem me undutiful and ungrateful,
but wild, an uncomfortable love has brought
me to take this step; but, oh my parents curse
not your only child for the sake of the love you
once bore her. To my mother cannot write, but
shall ever think Of and love her as of old. fear
to depart and yet must follow HIM. Adieu
and may God bless"-. Here several words
were blotted out by tears.
The letter fell from the Counts hands; he
spoke not yet his cheek was deadly pale, and the
fire flashed from his dark eye, and his whole frame
quivered with anger he hastily glanced his
eye over the other paper, the contents of which
''To the Count Trevorra-The truth must soon
break upon you that your high-born Lucrezia, has
fled with one of humble rank, whom you know
not. Yet unto you would be known even as I
am to all Venice. Long ere you receive this,
your daughter will be the lawful bride of Carlo
Bardi-the bandit chief .E=
"Holy Mary Is this so! My daughter a
bandits bride =! The glory of the Trevorras is
forever sulled !" gasped the Count in broken ac-
cents, as his fingers relaxed their grasp, and the
papers fell upon the floor
s'The pride of our noble house-the hope of
our old age-she on whom we lavished SO much
affection-left us for lawful bandit No, it
canaaot-it shall not be hasten to recover her ere
she is lost forever !' almost shreked the Contes-
sa, as she gazed wildly and fearfully into her
husbands face.
He answered not, but his strong frame shook
with emotion, as he arose and strobe Eacross the
hall.
''Ho, there see that the gondola be double
Manned" said he in firm tone, to the serving
men. Large tears filled his eyes, but he dashed
them quickly away, exclaiming-"away tears
are not for me! They for the aoeak; but l
am strong, and will have revenge % and he paced
the floor with rapid strides.
"Spare oh, spare Lucrezia; she was always
dutiful until now !' murmured the mother, with
gush of returning tenderness, rs the page enter
ed and informed the Count that the gondola was
in waiting.
The Count almost overpowcred, paused for a
ere he passed on through the corridor,
descended the marble steps with feeble and un-
steady gait threw himself upon the cushions of
his gondola, and was soon at the Ducai Palace.
sThe Sgnor Trevorra seeks an audience with
your highness,' said page to the Doge.
'sBid him enter" was the reply, and Trevorrsa
stood before him.
"Thou art right welcome, Count" said Priuli.
::But why that troubled look upon thy brow!-it
is not wont to rest there"
The whole matter was at once laid before the
Doge, who listened in breathless silence.
''Ha this is truly bold step, and an indignity
to the mobiles of Venice, past all overlooking,
and the plebians blood must atone for it % said
the Doge, and then he instantly despatched mes
sengers for the members of the Council of Ten to
assemble in the large Council Chamber.
They soon arrived and the Doge was not long
in laying these startling facts before them; and
it may be suppose that their indignation was great
at so daring an insult to the patricians OF Venice
Measures were instantly adopted to secure the
fugitives, possbe and after doing all that could
be done under the circumstances, the conclave
to their respective homes.
But what change had been wrought in the
Count Trevorra since the yester's eve Then
was he happy, for sorrow had not come nigh him;
but now his eyes were dmmed, his form was
bowed like an aged man, and his hair was white
as the driven snow. Grief had done a fearful
work in those few brief hours; all was desolation
within his soul; and the echoes of his own foot
steps fell fearlly upon his heart as he tfayersed
the spacious, but now deserted corridors of bis
palace,
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