Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-10-29
"well, well" said the gardener sharply.

i We'll, well, said the gardener sharply.
cam | to wait much longer %
But. Signore, yon seem to be in q
greater hurry than the Signorina."
What do you mean q
Why, we wait the arrival of Teresina
BaldelIi, of course" {" Stupid old imbecile r
muttered the clerk to himself).
Baldeli looked aghast, and then blus-
tered out
Don't tell you 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 p
Not for moment but this money
will be paid in her presence alone.
"But how can she come here? She is
i'll. The excitement was too much for
her."
..Ah, then we must wait until she has
recovered"
But this is too much. Am not re-
spectacle citizen? Am | not"
"Bastai That will do, signore )" and
the clerk replaced the notes in his desk.
Old BaldelIi fumed and swore, whined
and entreated, with no effect.
"Give me back the ticket, then. will
report you TO your superiors.
The ticket Certainly. Here it is. F"
| 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 countenances and
emotions of his fellow.men so he wrote a
note to the chief office, where in due time
Baldelli presented himself. And the Off
cial at this place was altogether polite and
amiable, and much regretted that it was
against the rules to comply with Baldelh's
request; but if the signorina was unable
to attend, but still anxious for the settle
ment of her claim, why, he would accom-
pany the gardener himself to the house for
the purpose. To which the gardener OBJ
iected strongly, and retired with face so
worn and anxious and frightened, that this
amiable official Thought it as well to send a
detective officer to look after the old man,
and, if possible, to get to the bottom of
the mystery-for queer things often happen
with these lotteries.
The result was that nobody had seen or
heard anything OF Teresina, and old Bal
deli was unable to account for her disap-
pearance, and maintained logged silence
on the subject, for the disappointment to
his hopes and the consciousness of guilt
had completely unnerved him. All the
circumstances were so suspicious that the
police felt justified in connecting him with
her disappearance, and accordingly he was
brought before the head of the police to
answer for himself.
In the meantime Teresina, having recov.
cred consciousness, was gradually brought
to by the assistance of the stewardess. On
being questioned by Lord Ardley, she gave
a truthful account of the events of the
previous night, but said that, from the
time she retired to her room, her mind was
a complete blank. She related with some
blushing and hesitation her conversation
with her uncle about the lottery ticket,
not forgetting his unaccustomed iberality
in giving her wine to drink to her good
luck.
"Pretty clear, my lord, 1 think
drugged, said Lloyd.
Every likely. Horrid old villain But
what's to be done now 2
'sWith your permission, sir, | will go
into Naples and see what is going on.
"By all means, Lloyd. And look here,
l am going to be married in a few days,
and if Teresina doesn't wish to return to
this pleasant home of hers, I've no doubt
she will make an excellent attendant on
Lady sArdley in our coming cruise about
the Greek islands,"
''Many, many thanks, my lord.
On going ashore Lloyd learned that old
Baldelli had been Intercepted, with the
result that he now suggested the possi-
bility of her having drowned herself I;
that she occasionally walked in her sleep !;
that he had found her door and the win
dow open on the morrow of her disap.
pearance. This was contrary to his state
ment at the Office, nor could the body be
found in the tideless water. He refused
to say anything further, and was sent to
Jail to await his trial on suspicion.
Lloyd readily obtained permission to see
him.
The old man, filled with rage and re.
morse, cried to him to " Begone p but dare
not look in his face.
'sAssassin, know all p
Baldelli covered in a corner, and said
nothing.
81 know all, and I almost hesitate to
relieve your villainous mind from the ter
ror that agitates it. Under Gods hand,
but through no fault of yours, she lives. "
"Lives !" and his whole aspect changed.
"Then why am here? Curse their med.
ding! Who says murdered her? And
you, fair-faced fool, what do you buster
here for ?"
Gently. gently, old man. There is
such thing as attempt to murder, for
which considerable term at the galleys
is not infrequently given. Teresina lives,
and, so far as the crime of murder is con-
cerned. you are not guilty, by an accident.
Now | mean to make terms with you.
Listen witnessed your dastardly at
tempt, and / saved her life. She will not
return to you she will become my wife !:
she will bid you farewell, and will not be
told of your sickness and she will carry
out her intention for your benefit, and give
you the 5000 francs she promised you,
though you more richly deserve FIVE years
at the galleys. If you consent to this,
good. If you refuse, l at once proclaim
you to be the attempted murderer of your
niece"
MaEadetto May every evil"
4" Enough. You are no fool, though a
great rascal"
The programme was carried out in its
entirety. Baldelli was released on the
appearance of Teresina, who, alive to some
rascality on the part of her uncle, was sat-
isfied to receive from MIN scowling assent
to her marriage with Frank Lloyd
After some months in the Mediterranean
with Lady Ardley, she went to England
her future home, as Mrs. Lloyd; and it
was not till after the old mans death that
she learned the true story of the tragical
event that might have followed on her
lucky hit at lotto London Society.
/