The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-02-15

years of age, and having fastened his
eye upon the beautiful Ada, had de-
termined to make her his prey. With
an instructive dread she shrank from
his addresses. The cold glitter of those
two sunken eyes caused a shudder to
run through her frame, which she
could not suppress, when in his pres
ence. 1t mag, therefore, be conjec-
tured what were her feelings upon now
finding herself alone, face to face with
the man whom, of all others, she
dreaded and disliked.
What have you to say?" she In
quired, In as calm a tone as she could.
command. "Speak quickly, for can
not larry"
"Well, then, fair one" said Marco.
az have come to tell you that 1 love
you, and to ask you if you will be mine"
Ada shrank back from him, as she
answered IN firm voice:
al never can be to you what you
wish for; IL"
"Love another" Kissed the young
man, finishing the sentence for her,
while frown, black as night, gathered
upon his low forehead.
"You have said it," answered Ada,
turning to leave him.
"Hold on" Exclaimed Marco, seiz-
ing by the wrist. and forcibly OBTAINING
her, don't be IN such hurry to leave
me~
"Do you wish me to call for assist
ance?" said Ada, striving to release
herself from his grasp.
"You hate me-" said Marco, assum-
ing melancholy tone of voice; "alas,
| am the most unhappy wretch in the
world; "and, as he spoke, he let go of
her hand.
Instinctively Ada looked up at him,
and it was well that she did; for other
wise she might have been deceived by
| the tone of his voice. AS it was, how
ever, she saw In an instant, by the
SD arp, angry glitter of his eyes, that
his sadness was only feigned; and she
again turned to leave him.
"By heavens you shall hear Inc w
by the wrist and bending low he Kissed
in her ear: You love Herbert Glen
vile; you have rejected me; beware,
lady, beware of The Serpent lest he
should sting you at the moment when
you feel the happiest p
With these words he disappeared and
left the terrified maiden standing alone
on the porch. She entered the house,
and in the solitude of her own chamber
unused, with her dark foreboding, upon
the words which Marco had uttered,
she knew his character, but feared more
for her lover than herself.
"Well, what success ?" inquired the
old woman in shrill voice as her son
seated himself with frowning brow.
GAS 1 thought it would be; she has
rejected me-" answered Marco, fiercely.
What do you calculate to do, them"
"To have revenge" answered he,
through mis- cleuched teeth.
"On whom-Ada or Herbert?
"By Heaven how you talk On
both, of course"
A smile of triumph flashed across
the dark features of the woman, and
she said:
"Ah, Marco, thou art truly my son,
| admire thee for what thou sayest."
"Have done with your fattery, and
let us make up some plan of revenge,
and after it has been executed we can
leave the country"
The mother and son then conversed
| together In q low tone for about an
hour, at the end of which time they
separated for the night.
1t was the third night after the
events which we have narrated. The
moon was about an hour high, snd
shone brightly upon the landscape.
Herbert and Ada were walking arm in
arm, not far from the cottage, conver
ing together as lovers s.re wont to con-
verse. AS Herbert, however, was speak
ing of their approaching union, which
was to take place in few weeks, the
threat of MARCO, the Serpent" re-
Cured to the mind of the young girl,
causing her to shudder. To her lovers
inquiries, she answered by telling him
her thoughts. He, however, laughed
away her fears, telling her that she
need be under no apprehensions-that
such threats were not worth minding.
Even as he spoke, however, two forms
that had for some time been DIGGING
their footsteps, suddenly sprang forth
from the shrubbery that concealed
them; and ere the young man had fully
recovered himself, a hand was placed
firmly upon his throat, and q dagger
pointed at his heart. The other figure
seized Ada in its arms, and made off
with her.
Now, then, thou art in my power;
thus do punish all those that thwart
me-" exclaimed he who held Herbert,
and he elevated his arm still higher, to
plunge the dagger into the young mans
bosom. The young man, however, to
use vulgar expression, was game;
and accordingly drawing off with his
foot, he suddenly dealt him blow in
the stomach, that sent him Keeling to
the ground with tremendous force.
He fell backward, and, in his descent,
his head struck against stone, which
served to deprive him of all sense.
Herbert cast hasty glance upon him,
as he lay full in the light of the moon,
and recognized Marco, the Serpent"
He did not, however, stop, but darted
in full pursuit after the figure, which
he could now see far ahead of him
rushing on with the form Of Ada in its
arms. The person, whoever it was,
was enveloped in long cloak, and
seem cd to carryathe eSnseleas form, of
the young girl with difficulty. AS the
reader has probably surmised before
this, it was Marcos mother who had
accompanied her son to aid him in his
work of revenge. As she passed on
with her senseless burden, she cast q
glance behind to see if her son was fol-
lowing her, Her surprise and conster-
nation were great, however, when, in
stead of that individual, she beheld
Herbert in rapid pursuit. She was
already nearly breathless, and had not
as yet, accomplished more than half
| the distance she meant to go, while
Herbert was fast gaining on her. Un-
der the influence of extreme terror, she
dropped the form of the young girl
upon the sward, and then fed in the
direction of her dwelling. Herbert
was not long in reaching the spot, and
lifting Ada from the ground, bore her,
with all possible specs, in the direction
of the cottage. Although he took the
same path upon which the encoun ter