The true northerner., 1881-10-07

NOiOC VI A<OAo Sa>s&>J JOe@<&%-to 80 - N'-N~
with his fiancee ut the villa. He
won't come away just yet" said the
sailor to himself ; SO, taking clean jump
over strip Of water that separated the
two Easements, he clambered up to the
gardeners window. He had placed his
hands on the window-sill, and was draw
ing himself up, and about to give the
usual signal, when, to his intense aston
ishment, he saw old Baldelli staggering
from the opposite room, half dragging,
half carrying his niece. What could it
mean? Was she i'll? Was it fresh air
she required? He had not much
time for thought, for the window, opened
suddenly outward by Baldelli, struck
his hands from their hold, and he had
only time TO drop quietly into the water
beneath. As he came to the surface
great heavens he could neither shout
nor prevent 1.-THE slight form of his
sweetheart was hurled from the window
into the black water below and the old
man, not daring to look upon his handi-
work, closed the window abruptly and
disappeared. 1t was the work of a mo-
ment for the young sailor to reach the
body of his sweetheart, and to place her
in his boat under cover of sail. But
what was he now to do with his precious
burden, which lay safe, but still uncon-
scious, near him? He might indeed
place her under the care of the ladies at
the villa but then he feared the chatter
of servants, nor did he know what power
her uncle might have to claim her from
them, for Italian courts are slow to re-
cognize the interference of foreigners in
domestic difficulties. While he was still
in doubt he was joined by Lord Ardley,
to whom he related his adventure. The
nobleman listened to the agitated voice
of the poor lad, and, making shrewd
guess at their relations, he said
"Your sweetheart, eh, Lloyd ?"
"Yes, sir; not doubt of it.
"And you're going to marry her ,"
"Now more than ever, sir. Ali, my
Lord, you don't know what difficulties
we've had to fight against, nor yet how
dear she is to me-; and then he told the
whole story of his attachment as they
rowed vigorously, each at an oar, toward
Santa Lucia, where Teresina was placed
on board the yacht.
On the following day Baldelli, haggard
anu uDAlOuS, db ti Suiiy AhOuAs HAOoSAeNo
himself at the bdsaco dd lotto. q
81 have come, as the guardian of my
niece Teresina, to claim the money she
has gained in the lottery"
Every good, signore. And first the
ticket, if you please"
He eagerly presented it.
"All right and in order" said the
clerk. "She presented herself here yes
terday?
"She did"
The clerk took out a large roll of notes,
which he began deliberately and without
haste to count.
."What stroke of fortune fer one so
young!
Baldelli nodded his head impatiently.
The clerk tied up the bundle of notes,
and began to whistle "Addio ma bella
Napoli."
''Well, we'll, said the gardener sharp
ly. Gam to wait much longer
But, signore, you seem to be in
greater hurry than the signora.
"What do you mean?
"Why, we wait the arrival of Tere-
sina Baldelli, of course Stupid old inn
becile," muttered the clerk to himself)
Baldelli looked aghast, and then blus-
tered out:
Don't i tell you that she has told
me to get the money? Have you not
got the ticket? What more do you
want? Am not her guardian? Do
you doubt that ?"
Z" Not FOR "a moment? But this mon
ey will he paid in her presence alone"
(" But how can she come here? She
is Ill. The excitement was too much for
her."
"Ah, then we must wait until she has
recovered"
but this is too much. Am L not a
respectable citizen? Am 1 not"
Z" BGsta! That will do, signore;"
and the clerk replaced the notes i'll his
desk.
Old Baldelli fumed and swore, whined
and entreated, but with no effect.
"Give me back the ticket, then. /
will report you to your superiors.
"The ticket Certainly. Here II
is -
And then the gardener left the Office.
The clerk had seen good number OF
strange things in his time, and was
given to the observation of the coun-
tenances and emotions of his fellow.
men ; so he wrCte note to the ch1ei
Office, where in due time Baldelli pre-
sented himself. And the official at this
place was altogether polite and amiable
and much regretted that it was agains,
the rules to comply with Baldelli's re-
quest but if the signorina was unable
to attend. but still enxious for the set
tlement of her claim, why, ne would
accompany the gardener himself to the
house for the purpose. To which the
gardener objected strongly, and retired
with face So worn and anxious ant
frightened that this amiable officia
thought it as well to send detectiv,
officer to look after the old man, and, i
possible, to get at the bottom of th'
mystery, for queer things often happer
with these lotteries.
The result was that nobody had seer
or heard anything of Teresina, and olt
BaldeIli was unable to account for hel
disappearance, and maintained doggeC
silence on the subject, for the disap
pointment TO his hopes and the con
sciousness of guilt had completely un