The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-09-19

He did not stop for her answer, but
dashed off across the piazza with his ut
most speed.
What time was that which followed
Brigida was alone, alone at the foot Of the
column, at the top of which her well-loved
brother was still ENGAGED. She could not
communicate with him. She had no one
at all to speak or take counsel with. 1t
was one of those dreadful cases in which
the severest part of the trial is the neces-
sity of total inactiou. 1t was almost un-
bearable. She longed to speak. She long
ed to call aloud to her brother-to entreat
him not to despair. She felt that he had
abandoned all thoughts of escape. The
rope hung quietly now, showing that no
movement was taking place in the cage.
Oh, that he could know what this quiet.
ness meant Was he waiting, patient,
resigned, for the end? Did he think she
had abandoned him, and that she had con.
suited her own safety in flight? No, he
could not believe that Or had some dread
full thing happened. Had he got fixed
between the bars was lie strangled, suf-
located?
The suspense was horrible, but it must
be borne. Brigida was possessed of the
priceless gift of good sense. She was wise
as we'll as loving. She must be quiet, she
must keep herself concealed, as she had
been told to do. Every thing-her broth
er's fate especially-depended on her not
being found. She must keep within the
shadow of that piece of masonry behind
which Lippo had hidden her, and wait.
Once she stole out to the foot of the Cam
panile. The rope by which she had de-
scended hung out away from the pillar,
and if any one came by the place would
attract attention. She got hold of it, and
twisted and entwined it among some OF
the projecting decorations about the base
of the column, so that it should be less
conspicuous. Then she crept back and
hid herself once again.
Even at that hour-it was between two
and three in the morning-St. Marks Place
was not entirely deserted. A couple of
belated Venetians crossed the square just
after she had got back to her hiding place.
They came quite near to where she was
concealed, and stood looking up at the col
umn, evidently occupied with the topic of
the moment, which, indeed, all Venice was
talking about. at is the girl pity most, "
she heard one of the men say, just as they
passed out of hearing. She was, indeed,
at this moment, perhaps, most to be pitied.
After the two men came a party Of the
watch on their rounds. They came near
to the foot of the Campanile, and Brigida' S
heart almost stood still with terror.
"They seem quiet enough there" said
one of the men.
"Quiet? Yes; l should think so,'' re
joined another. 81 shouldn't wonder if
one of them, at any rate, was quiet in
death. The girl looked more than half
dead before she was put up there"
:" wonder they haven't placed sentry
here by the Campanle," said one of the
men, Who had not before spoken.
"Why, what would be the use of SEN
try?" returned the first speaker. elbow
do you think they could get out of the
cage? And do you suppose that, even if
they did, they could make hop, skip, and
jump Of it from the top of the Campo
nile, which is more than three hundred
feet high, to the bottom? A sentry, in
deed! -
The sergeant in command of the party
interposed at this juncture with the word
to march, and the little band passed on.
They left poor Brigida with new matter
for alarm. What if a sentry should yet
be placed there? What if the watch should
come round again? What if her brother
should be able to get out, or they should
appear as he was in the act of descending
This inaction was terrible. Brigida felt
as if she must do something. She would
60 to the foot of the pillar and call aloud
to her brother. She would go and meet
Lippo. No; she would do mono of these
things. She would control herself with all
her might, and keep close there in the dark
corner till she could do something that
would be really useful. She would
ah, there was Lippo. Now something
would be done, at any rate.
"Where have you been. What have
you done ?" she cried, as soon as he was
within hearing of her.
81 have been home to fetch this" he
answered, holding up file. "Luca must
file through one of the bars at the top.
Then he will be able to bend it aside and
pass through"
ooh, but is there time?'
"The day will not begin to break for an
hour
Even while he was speaking Lippo was
engaged in fastening the little instrument
on which so much depended to the silken
cord, which still hung down by the side of
the column. This done, he gave the line
one or two sharp pulls to attract the atten.
tion of the occupant of the cage.
"Thank God, he is alive, at least" MUIR
INJURED Brigida, as the line with the file
attached to it was swiftly drawn up from
above.
And now, indeed, there followed time
when the suspense endured by those who
waited below amounted to something little
short of agony. 1t was vain for them to
strain their eyes in the darkness; they
could make out nothing of what was going
on above. 1t was vain to listen for the
sound of the file; it was windy night and
so slight noise could not be heard at that
distance. Then there was the ever-present
fear lest some one should, even at that I'M
likely hour, appear on the piazza. The
watch, again on their rounds, passed by
once more with lights and their arms gilt
tering, but this time they did not come SO
close to the column as they did before.
Presently afterwards drunken fellow
came by and insisted OH talking to Lippo
in disastrously friendly strain. He stay
ed so long, and was so garrulous on the
subject of the cage and its occupants, that
Lippo could only get him to leave the
place by going with him, returning alone