The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-10-26
sTROUDsBURG, MONROE COUNTY, PA. OCTOBER &c, 1854.

wards him, he sprang into it, and before
l could move he was out Of sight
20, God, that have lived to see this
day!' said the alchemist, as be bowed his
face and wept.
Weeping, Signor Gueppo!' said mild,
sweet voice near him.
The alchemist sprang up and looked
fearfully around.
That voice, that voice, surely 1 do not
dream
20, no, Signor Gueppo, am really be-
fore you
The old man turned towards the spot
where the speaker was standing. BY the
doorway was lady dressed in black
She was apparently past the middle age,
but time had left but few burrows upon
her noble brow She had evidently been
beautiful, but her whole countenance
showed marks of great suffering, mingled
with an air of resignation. The alchem-
list put back the gray hair from his brow
and gazed upon her.
''Tis the same face, the same voice, he
mutterred. but how can I tell her all!'
MY coming has surprised you, no
doubt, but you little know how much [
have longed for this day, for any day in
which can reclaim my child
Your child said the alchcmist wild
ly.
Yes, Irene entrusted to your care
Y You surely have not forgotten me-!
No, no, | we'll remember you
Then where is Irene? why is she not
here?'
| Gone, gone-alas that should live
to tell the tale
Gone? what mean you, man! Tell me,
I implore you, where is she! She has
not left you-or you have not deserted
| her!;
But last night she was in this very
room
! Then where is she now! Keep me no
longer in suspense
| Tell her, Blanca, for | dare not
! The lady turned quickly to the old
servans-her face was very pale, and her
whole frame trembled with agitation.
what is concealed from me, Blanca!
y uSG 11SdVSU, sue Is uOG uCdU
90, 10, think it would be better if
she were This morning she was carried
! off by the chief of the br avos. Alphonzo,
the Spaniard.'
90, Heaven, this vengence is too terri
ble,' said the lady, and she fell fainting
The servant raised her tenderly.
Bear her to your room, Bianca-re-
store her as you can, and then finish your
fearful story
The servant carried the lady from the
room as the alchemist fell back upon his
couch, and the big tears rolled down bis
cheeks. Irene was the only being he had
ever loved, the only one who would shed
a tear for him when he should be taken
away. All his love rushed back upon
him as he thought of her love and beauty
while a cold shiver ran through his frame
as he thought of the fate that awaited her
in the hands of the bravo
What could he, an old man, do against
the chief of that murderous band that
then infested Venice1 He had no gold
while Alphonzo, he knew, would use any
bribe to secure to himself the prize he had
so long desired. These meditations were
inte rrupted by knock at the door, he
turned as it opened, to view the intru
der. A richly dressed gentleman stood
before hint was the same one Irene
had met the evening before.
You are Gueppo, who lived lately il
Genoa, said the young man, in an oper
hearty way,
'Signor, | am
You have daughter, Irene
why do you ask mel
Because come to demand her in mar
riage.'
Marry Irene =
yes old man. have known her long
and well, and have found in her virtues
that would grace a throne. l have he
consent to ask yours for an union
and who are your!
l am Henri, Viscount Of Chantry, sol
of tie Duke of Feuelon,' said the youns
man, drawing himself proudly up.
'Viscount of Chantryl
yes. wooed and won your daugh
ter, Irene, as poor fisherman. Las
night ny father arrived i'll this city anC
has generously given his consent to N.
union. All we ask now is yours
ALAS it is impossible
Impossible! what mean you,'
Irene is no longer in my dwelling.
Not here! Why, how pale you look
What is the matter with her? She is no
ill.,
"A worse fate than death awaits her
'Worse than death what can that be!
This morning she was forcibly seize'
and torn from this house by Alphonz
the bravo
'The bravoi'
'Yes-he dared last night to offer him
self to me as suitor for my daughter
r hand, l scornfully rejected his oase ad
vances, though he would have bribed m
with gold. In revenge he this mornin
carried her of. You know what fate q
lone can await her.l
Il do, l do,' said Henri, in broke
voice, would that had been here. But
~ L