Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-06-20

morning would give Just nlm tlipe 10
set half dozen brigands on our tracks.
No, we must go straight ahead. It's our
only course"
~ think so, too, my lady" said the
old servant. - You can't believe one
word these inn-keepers say. The
surest way is to go precisely opposite
to their advice.
Admilla threw the shawl around the
countess, and they all stepped into the
diligence. The position cracked bis
whip and they were soon on their road
TO Bieti.
The travellers had some reason to
complain of their progress. The young
postillion was constantly whipping his
horses, bnt it was hard travelling.
Mount Como reared itself like a great
giant even among the mountains OF the
Neapohtan Apprentices. But the rich
foliage and varied scenery ought to
have offered some consolation for the
otherwise tedious trip. The slvery
waters Of the Aterno were flowing below
them, with forests of olive trees over
looking it. There was constant
change Of colors and forms wherever
the eve turned, and over it all were the
purest and clearest heaven, whose sun
ny blue was uudisturbed by the small
est cloud. The top OF the diligence was
thrown back, and they We're making
their way slowly over the roads, the
postillion humming one Of thep opular
Neapolltan songs Of the day, when the
Countess said to him;
You appear to be right contented,
my young friend, in spite of the hard
ship OF your services. "
Giuseppe is always Jolly, signora"
he answered, rs he applied his whip
with new vigor.
Still your happiness seems to me
to be little artificial. You may thank
Kutuno's sour wine for most Of it, |
think. Is the host Kutrino friend of
yours
"About half and half, signora. He
keeps a very good quality OF Posilip-
pc"
That isgood ground for friendship,
at all events. suppose the bandits of
the Abruzzi are also on friendly terms
with signor Kutrino ~
ION, no " answered the boy. "The
brigauds do not patronize him. They
don't like him, nor he them. Ever
since they robbed him of his young
wife, his pretty, rosy, sweet Marietta,
he has been down ON them. He has
sworn to bring them all TO the ealiows. "
Is Kumiuo really an enemy to the
bandits asked the young woman,
her cheek turning pale at the thought
of not following his advice.
He is no friend, at all events, and
tries 30 hurt them whcncyer he can.
The countess had no longer any zest
for the beautiful scenery around her.
She lay back ON her cushions and shut
her eyes, not word coming from her
lips. The diligence had reached the
hclghth Of the mountain. male and
female companions burst forth in adj
miration at the brilliant panorama that
uufolded itself 10 their view, but it was
all lost on the Countess.
The diligence had begun to roll along
quickly down the hill, when n shot fell
upon the ears that rcsounded through
the woods like thunder. Giuseppe
whipped his horses and urged them Mt
break-neck speed down the mountain.
The next that was heard was n loud
cutlery. One of the horses had fallen
and the wagon had been turned over.
The other horse wild with fright, began
to drag his mate, the diligence and the
people along.
Then there came a half-shrieking
noise to the ears of the unhappy trav-
clers, MI of whom were eXtricatng
themselves with more or less pain and
difficulty. The wagon was shattered
in pieces Giuseppe did his utmost to
place the fallen horse upon his feet.
Giovanni was eudeavorlug to stop the
blood of a hcad-wouud, and Admilla
was weeping and trembling The Coun-
tess stood hstlessly on the roadside,
looking askaut ut the postilhon, who
had now grown earnest enough, and
who shook his head sadly as he SAID
Poor BrunoN He has broken his
leg Will have to leave him here.
Then came the shrlll whistle again,
and they all looked anxious and terri
fed at the sound, guessing its meaning.
In another instant u dozen men, with
suu-hurued and full bearded faces, and
clothed IN the most picturesque bandit
costume, spraug out in the road and
surrounded the frightened travellers.
A great, tall brigaud, with a red sash
about his body, stepped up TO the
Countess with bow that would not
have djsgraced a drawing His
features discovered something Of good
nature Though their widness Of ex-
preston, and he said, in mild and
SonorouS voice 49,
Believe me, madam, | prize the ac-
cident which affords me mn opportunity
OF making the acquaintance of so re-
uowued an artistic. -