Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-08-25
so we were informed. That day and
the next we missed his society, for he
was an agreeable companion.


was an agreeable companion.
On the third day of his departure Miss
Wentworth was missed from the hotel.
In the evening she had gone out alone
fora walk along the shore of the bay,
and had not returned. Her friends were
charmed, and Charles was distracted.
In spite Of his rejection he still loved
her The head of the police department
was called in to aid in the search. The
man shook his head in doubtful man
ner. Giuseppe and his band Of follow
ers had become very bold of late, and
his retreat had been so carefully con-
cealed that all attempts at his capture
had proved failure. Probably the
bold brigand had borne the lady away
and secured her in one of his hidden re-
treats where she would be held for ram
som-unless the lady CHANGED to be
beautiful, when the 'Lion" would
probably keep her for his mistress.
all that night and the next day, the
search went on, but without success.
On the evening of the second day my
friend and myself were comforting with
the head of the police to devise new
work for the morrow's search, when we
were approached by slender youth.
There was wild expression in the
boys eyes that startled me at first and
called my attention more closely to the
regular and almost beautiful features
before me. AS he paused the young
man made a sign to Charles, and the
letter reluctantly followed him. Di-
rectly he returned and motiOned for US
to come. An eagerness altogether for
eign to his nature seemed to have taken
possession of the man, as he, followed
by the boy, hurried US to his own apart
ment. and, after we had entered, care
fully locked the door. The boys (wo-
J mans, for it was female in disguise),
story was soon told. She was the wife
of the brigand leader who had brought
the American lady to the rendezvous to
make her his mistress. So far no vio-
l.nce had been offered Helen, but the
woman knew not how long such would
be the case The brigand's wife had
endeavored to persuade her husband to
let the captive's friends ransom her, he
had refused, and she had sworn revenge.
She would conduct a force to the brig
ands' retreat and effect their capture.
"But" she added, "many men must be
brought, for the successor of Leone the
Lion,' has seventy men who will fight
to the DEATH"
Instantly all was hurry and excite
ment. The head of the police confer.
red with the commandant of the for
tress, and an entire brigade of Italian
troops were placed at his disposal. By
eight o'clock the troops were ready tt
start. Charles and myself, with two OF
three gentlemen from the hotel accom-
panied them. Nearly all night we marcel
ed, following the wake of the slende'
figure of the brigand's wife, who led u
on-for what Revenge
: In the still, gray dawn OF earl.
morning, our force had surrounded ;
secluded mountain glen, where the ban
ditti lay encamped. The sentries hat
been captured without an alarm BEN!
gwen, and every arrangement made TO
a complete surprise.
r In the evening Helen had strolle'
, down to the beach, and sat down npo
5 one of the low benches in the cool shad
ows of the overhanging branches of tn
: trees that lined the waters EDGE Flo
e q time she held nndisturbed possession
+ of the place, then a party of nois
d pleasure seekers came down, and thei
r merry laughter rang out among tn
n still waters of the bay. Helen wishe
: to be alone. Their presence irritate
e her. At first she thought to return
e her room, but changed her purpose an
), walked slowly down the beach. In th
n distance she saw the deep shadows {
g the high bluff that looks out towar
o Vesnvius. Slowly she walked on, an
y gradually the voice of the jewellers die
vt away, and she stood alone among ii
d the shadows. The sun had long sin'
a sunk below the distant waters and Il
e long twilight had gradually faded an
n deep shadows hung over the ravine
Of and encircled the basis of the hills
s, low murmur crept up from the bay,
to sort of low soothing monotone, tn
is entranced the senses of the fair girl
n she sat upon huge boulder just out
in reach of the waters. Then form ere
j. up beside, a hand was placed over b
ID lips, and she was borne to a boat ne