Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-04-12
CHAPTER Y.


OF the Counts crew who might be natives O
that place. As we approached the headland
kept sharp LOOK out for the ''Gulnare,
which Beppo had informed us was Away
moored not far from the tower; aud | was re
warded by seeing her taperng masts overtop
ping jutting rock, behind which she lay In
land-locked creek, almost invisible from an,
pursuing vessel; her sails had been removed
and we were safe from pursuit, so far a. sh,
was concerned, could we only rescue Moral
and convey her In safety on board the "Ari
adne.n
We set our nets and lines in the bay, as othel
boatmen were doing. and then rowed slowl,
toward the beach, close under the headland
Our costumes were perfect disguise, and at
short distance we were not distinguishablt
from the fisherman on the shore. AS pre- ar
ranged, Dennis the yachtsman, and |, land
ed and wandered carelessly about under Tn,
cliff. At length espied pathway which
had no doubt was the means Of approach 20 the
tower, as on one side there was stretched rop,
made of the green tlbers of the vine, for the as
sistance OF those who mounted its steep aeceut
In a small sandy cave, | observed the "Gul-
mares" cable, or 'dingy," hauled up and this
left no ooubt In my mind that this pathway
was the Counts mode Of access to the tower,
and means OF communication with his yacht.
Reckoning silently 70 my companions to follow
me, we cautiously assembled the pathway, which
resting ourselves TO recover our breath, and
reconnoitre our advance: we occasionally per-
ceiving at some turn In the path, the two fish
ing boats near the beach, and saw that our
friends were anXiously watching our progress (:
when we had nearly reached the summit the
path widened out, and we calculated that we
must be close TO the tower. and Just beneath IL
looked stealthily over the ciiif and saw that
10 overhung the sea at that place, and was APP
parently about one hundred aud fifty feet from
lOOxipU iut
ting point, saw small alcove cxcavated In
the face of the rock, and a rustic bench fitted
into 1t, capable OF seating several persons
The rock In front had been cut away, and rose
gently towards the top of the cliff; the space
In front of the alcoye being covered with short
marine grass, OF very dry and slippery ma
ture Observing this, took off my shoes aud
signaled TO my companions to do the same,
being awPrc of the advantage 1t would give us
In any personal encounter. The view from this
spot was magnificent; below us lay the blue
sea, covered with numberless tiny sails, and
boats OF every size engaged In fishing; In tue
distance we could see the promontory OF Me
thana, the island Of Epidauros, and the Gulf
of Dora, over which the ite-wingrd craft
gittered in the powerful sunbeams. We coull
see the pinnace scudding about to the no'rard
aud just keeping the headland in view, as we
had arranged. felt convinced that after mid
day, the alcove being In shade, it would be
visited by the Count and Norah, and whisper
ed to my companions that would not ascend
farther dt present, as had no doubt that this
was place of daily resort by the inhabitants of
the tower
We sat down on the margin of the pathway,
and waited patiently for nearly an hour. cx-
aiming our arms aud converslng In whispers
Suddenly my ear caught the sound Of voices
nearly overhead, and, listening intently, [ was
satisfied that they were approaching our place
OF conccalment. told Dennis TO remain with
me- and instructed the yachtsmen should the
lady be rescued, to convey BIER at once to the
boats, and signal 10 the pinnace. The Colonel
and Lieutenant Bakhus were, | knew, well
armed, and could defend themselves against
probable attack until assistance reached them:
Norah's safety thus provided for, did not
doubt that Dennis aud could hold the pass
against an equal number of assailants, and
eventually make good our retreat ! had scarce
~ completely these arrangements and was
listening in GREATNESS suspense, when heard
yards; and, peering cautiously round the nook,
observed them taking their seats in the alcove.
The air was STILL and every word spoken was
distinctly heard by me.
''Norah," said the Count, "why will you not
yield to my wishesl Why will you not be my
wifel"
"Count Albano, she replied in a inournful
voice, 'there was time when you possessed
my whole heart, but you have forfeited my love
and respect by your treacherous and disgrace
full treatment OF my dear father: but, quite IT.
respective OF that, he has my solemn pledge
II is impossible now that he could consent to
our union and the only atonement you can
make for your breach of honor to him, and your
disregard OF my feelings, is to restore me to his
care at once.r
'Beloved Norahr said the count, "what YOU |
ask is impossible. i cinnot relinquish YOU |
now; even IL were willing, my Yacht is laid |
up, and my crew dispersed, and for some weeks |
II would be impossible to recall Them you can |
not remain the inmate OF this tower for weeks, |
m nj ION and haxya
prospect OF escape there is but one course |
open to you-become my wife, and at once"
II have told you, Count, my firm determine |
ton not TO yield to your unmanly importuni- |
ties. will never become the wife Of any man |
whom / cannot respect; cease, therefore, to |
prosecute me, as you have daily done since you |
bore me away from nv home. / repeat that |
were to submit to your wishes, life would be- |
cone unbearable to me, and | should die the |
Victim of remorse and shame. Oh my dear |
father! my dear father! would that you were |
herer
The Count laughed In thatymocking tone |
have previously described, and sale,
"Well Signora will give you one day more |
TO consider and releDt, and II you do not, YOU |
will clearly understand that on the following |
day you shall be my wife, whether you consent |
or not"
"Then you will understand SIR" she said, |
'that, sooner than submit to such degradation, |
will jump over this cliff aud put an end TO |
my wretched existence. Oh, my fatherl my |
dear father will be true to YOU" she cried |
"Beware, wretch, how you provoke his venge- |
ance."
Again the same hooking laugh was heard |
moment after, she exclaimed, - sStand off,
sir, command you"
/ could restrain myself no longer. Beckon-
Ing to my companions, and rushing round the |
corner OF the rock, shouted
"Norah, your father is at hand, fly,-fy!"
"Oh, Arthur save me, save metz she ex-
claimed, and ran towards me with extended |
arms.
ITO the boat,--to the boat ~ / cried, and |
delivered her to the care Of the yfchtsmen, who
quickly disappeared with their charge.
The Count, glaring upon me with malignant |
eyes, drew from his vest a silver whistle, which
he blew loudly, and then rushed upon me,
drawing q small dagger from his breast had
loosened my cutlass In It's sheath, and was
about to draw II, when suddenly recollecting
the Counts repugnance TO a straight hit out |
from the shoulder, | shut my list, and went
right at his eyes. He, as formerly, threw him
self back, ducked to evade the blow, and in so
doing, slipped on the burnt-up grass, and fell
upon bis back. was upon him In an instant,
and had seized his wrist with n grasp of iron |
while with my right hand clutched his throat
with a grip which he vainly struggled TO
escape from. did not wish TO take his life,
but merely TO render him insensble, and bind
him; but his struggles were go violent that
was obliged TO use all my strength TO keep him
down. / heard a scufile In the rear, which
suddenly ceased, and at the same time my
throat was grasped from behind by two
powerful hands, and though never for q me-