Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-10-09
THE WOMAN IN RED.
\ Thrilling Italian Story Of the
Last Century.
nS GEORGE ". II. REYNOLDS.
CHAPTER XXXV.
"rHE TINE HAS COME"

the MYSTERIOUS friar, Francesca had
almost dismissed the subject from her
mind. when an event occurred which
filled her with alarm.
Francesca had ever been devout
Catholic, and never failed to attend
mass and yespcrs in the principal
church ut Genoa.
II was ONE few days after the un-
expected appearance OF the friar, that.
as She was vending her way on foot
10 the church, as was sometimes her
wont, she fanced she was followed by
some person. Several times she
turned, and just caught glimpse OF a
dark figure disappearing behind pill
lar or round corner. But in the gray,
evening light she was unable to de-
termine with any certainty whether
this was man of woman, or but "A
phantasm of the imagination.
As she approached the church, she
looked around and behind her, but saw
nothing of the shadowy form which
had alarmed her. Accordingly she
entered the church, and. kneeling de-
voutl. before the altar. commenced
her dryot.ons, praying aloud-for at
the time She was the only worshiper.
Her deyotions took the form of sup
plication for guidance. The convic-
ton, resentment, whatever it might
be, ca, h day grew stronger on her
that some terrible calamity was about
TO happen. Her thoughts ran on the
oath she had taken TO leave all. and.
and, when commanded, follow her
mother, Rudiga the Jewess.
Of the Wohan in Red. nothing had
been seen for the whole three wears
since the establ; shmcnt of the Count
Donati was broken up. But many and
strange rumorS were rife concerning
her. PEOPLE spoke of her as living in
the utmost magniiicence in various
Continental cities. At one time she
was Known as the Princess Sforza, and
had >plcnd d palace at st. Peters
burgh; at another, she rented a large
Eotcl in lariS, and astonshed the
Parsians by the magniicence of her
equil ages and the wealth displayed in
her es abb sIment.
But at n time was she heard of in
Italy; and the only evidence of the
Woman II Red in Genoa lay in the
ira irons OF the inhabitants, and the
presence of the old house, never since
tenautcd. in which the reputed sorce-
RES had dWclt.
II was old and dlapidated in APP
pearance W thCut even when the jew
esS dwelt there. how much more so
was il now after having been closed
for three years windows broken,
shutters destroyed. and with many
holes in the roof which exposed the
interior to the weather
The strange tales circulated by the
superst { OILS eople had eflectually pre-
venteJ tie e,erted house getting an
other tenant and so 4 r. ma ned dis
mai. dreary ruin. amidst the palatial
bu id ng> viii Oh SUI rounded it.
! he knowledge of these strange ru-
mors troubled Francesca exceedingly;
aud as she knelt AT the altar, the same
strange feel ne of impending sorrow
oppressed her. and she mulmured her
PRAYER aloud for advice and On dance
from on h gh. She knew not. wrapt
as she was IN her devotions, that an.
other person had entered the open
doors Of The church. and, kneeing a
few PAGES behind her. heard her muir
INJURED words
My OATH Oh. Heavenly Father.
blessed Virgin. and saints. GU de me.
My bust and would prevail on me to
believe ii invalid. NV consc ence re-
iects the thought. To which shall
lend an ear t. Claud o. who has nv
love. and should command my obedi-
ence, or TO a rash oath?'
An, 9th IL
has been called to witness, can only
be broken at the cost of thy soul?'
francesca nearly screamed aloud
even in the sacred building. She
NJ eded not to look around, for she
recognized the voice of the mendicant
frar who had sought an interview with
her at her home. Hastily conclud ing
her dcyotions, she arose, and by a
great effort Subdung the agitation and
trembling which shook her frame.
beckoned the fr ar TO follow her, and
walked quickly out into the open air.
Il have seen YOU before. she said
hastily. What would YOU with me?"
"Th
He handed her a letter. and without
another word. bowed. and. ere she !
could open it. was gone The letter
very few words, but these
were sufficient to carry terror TO the !
soul OF the young wife
Tile time has come; remember your
oath."
Her heart sunk within her. Her
face assumed deadly pallor. and her
limbs almost failed to support her.
Il knew IT; | felt it. she cried. /
crushing the paper in her hands. The /
time has come. and | have TO choose /
between nav husband and my mother. /
Heaven guide me"'
Then with slow and tottering steps,
she returned TO her home. Count /
Claudio could not fail to notice and be /
alarmed by her pallor and the look of /
nnxiet, which pervaded her beautiful /
features. He questioned her, but was
answered only by sobs and words of I
deep love and devotion to him. She /
chung around his neck. holding him in I
a passionate embrace as though she /
feared he would be torn away from 1
her. All this was a mystery TO Clau-
do But he was destined soon TO read /
the solut on.