The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-25

4 Vecchio; & at the last stroke OF Twelve g;a
d form emerged from darkness, unmiss,
sItakeably the man Of iyesterd IL s|s
Have you the cloak: he asked.
Yes, replied; "but it cost me a
hundred .zechins, cash." #:
81 know it," he answered. stSee;
here are four hundred" SG@zj Z
He stepped with me to the broad rail-
| ing Of the bridge, and counted down the
They shone splendidly in the the moon
pocketed the money, and tried to look
more closely at the unknown, but he
wore mask, from which dark eyes
darted sinister glances.
II thank you, sir. for your goodness -
But, as told YOU 81 Before, re- it must Be
nothing wrong"
''Your fears are unnecessary" he an
swered, while he threw the cloak round
his shoulders. II require your help as
physician ,ys clan; yet not for: the living, but
elbow can that be?" I cried, liz amaze
ment.
II came with my sister from distant
land" he said, beckoning for me to fol-
low him. ave resided here with q
friend of our family. My sister died
suddenly yesterday, of an illness, and
the relatives want to bury her to-mor-
row. It is rule with our family that
all shall repose in the ancestral vault.
shall let my relatives retain her body,
but I must carry my father his daughters
head, that he may once more see her."
The idea of decapltatlng q woman was
terrible to me, but dared not to object
for fear of offending the unknown. SO
told him was familiar with the process
of emhalming, and begged him to lead
the wat. Still. I could not help asking
why this must all be done so secretly
and at night.
He said his purpose was abhorrent to
day, would prevent it. But only once
have the head removed, and they could
say no more. He would have brought
the head to me, but brothers scruples
restrained him from severing it.
At last reached a splendid mansion,
which my companion pointed out as our
destination. We passed the main en-
trance, entered small door, which the
unknown carefully closed behind him,
and in darkness, climbed narrow stair
way leading to jimly lighted hall.
Passing through this, we arrived at q
room lighted by lamp suspended from
the ceiling. In this room stood bed,
on which lay the corpse. The unknown
averted his face to conceal his emotion.
He pointed to the bed, and telling me
to do my business we'll and quickly, left
the room.
drew out my knife, which, as sur
geon, always carried with me, and
approached the bed. Only the head of
the corpse was visible, but this was so
beautiful that the deepest compassion
seized me. The dark hair hung down in
long braids, the face was pale, the eyes
closed. first made an incision in the
skin. after the manner of surgeons when
they amputate limb. Then took nv
sharp knife, and with one blow cut
through the throat.
But, to my horrer, the woman opened
her eyes, Immediately closed them again,
and, in one deep groan, breathed her
last. At the same instant torrent of
hot blood shot toward me from the
wound.
lhad killed the poor creature! 1 stood
some minutes in frishtful anxiety. Then,
overrpowered with terror, l rushed
shuddering from the room. But the
hall was dark, the light was extinguished
cred, and CROPPED hap-hazard along
the wall to find the stairs. reached
them at last, and descended, half fall
ing, half sliding. There was no one be-
low. found the door only latched.
and at once gained the street. Spurred
by fear, l ran to my home, and buried
myself in bed to forget myIhorrible deed.
But sleep was out of the question, and
soon morning warned me to deliberate
on my situation. It seemed likely that
the man who had persuaded me into
committing what now appeared a mad
mans deed, would not accuse me. I re-
solved to open my shop, and, as far as
possible, appear unconcerned.
But, alas! new circumstance in
creased thelhedge Of difficulties. Mycap
and my belt, as also my knife, were
missing, rnd was uncertain whether I
had left them in the chamber of the dead,
or lost them in my flight
I opened my shop at the usual time.
A nelghbor, passing by, exclaimed:
"Oh! what do you think of the
night?"
/ teigned ignorance.
"What! Don't you know that the
Fower Of Florence, Blanca, the COVER
nor's daughter, was assassinated last
night? I saw her only yesterday, going
gaily through the streets with her be-
trothed, for to-day was to have been her
wedding-day."
Each word was a stab. All my &C.
quaintances in town came and told me
the same story. each version more
dreadful than the last, but none 80 aw-
full as what I had seen. About noon an
officer came and took me aside.
"Signor Zalenkos," he said, drawing
forth The articles t had missed, do
these things belong to your"
l considered whether l should deny
it, but as | saw through the half-open
door my landlord and other acquaint-
ances who could testify against me, I de.
cided not to make mstters worse by q
lie, and therefore acknowledged the
ownership. The officer took me toprison.
Two hours after my arrest I was led
from my cell, down many stairs to q
great hall. Twelve old men sat around
a long table draped in black. Seats
around three sides of the hall were filled
with the most distinguished people OF
Florence. The upper galleries were
crowded with spectators. When I ap.
preached the table, man with grave,
sad demeanor arose; it was the cover
nor. he spoke to the assemblage, say.
ing that he, as father of the murdered
girl, could not act as Judge on this oc-
casion, and would therefore yield biz
position to the oldest of the senators,
This man was at least ninety years, but
his eyes were fiery, and his voice was
strong. He began by asking me if I
committed the murder, begged for q
hearing, and related boldly and distinct
ly what had done and what I knew,
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