Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-08-21

l. Il
only asked the loan of twenty thous-
and ducats-onc half of which have
received OF you. But, Count, my time
is money; and YOU have unnecessarily
DELAYED my schemes; so | shall charge
YOU for the detention. Give me, then
twenty thousand ducats, in addition to
what | have received, and | cry quits
with you-not else, however, by ST.
Mark
Never" cried Donati; never will
! submit TO such eXtortion.'
"EXtortion! Come, | do not like
such words. Who put this gold in
your grasp? Who aided and backed
YOU in your plans to gain what you en-
Joy? Who risked his life and limbs
hundreds of times To defend and en-
rich Bernardo, now the lordly Do.
natip"
Count Donat was silent for the old
days came back 10 his memory when
he had been in worse predicamcnts
than this, and had conlrived 20 escape
unscathed. His mind. which had been
inactive for many long month, was
now CHANGING al the chances in his ia
for in this uncomfortable emergency,
and he made no reply.
He had already parted with ten
thousand ducats The price of silence
on the part of Rodolpho was twenty
thousand more. This was too much.
He had determined not TO pay it.
When this was obtained, he saw that
he wa Just as much in the power of
Count Claudio for evil As ever; and
he would avoid the pecuniary penalty.
The lion was reused. The cunning
of Count Donati. which had lain DOR
mant for years, since there had been
no occasion for It's exercise. was once
more in active motion within him; and
he very quickly q e ded upon his future
course in the matter.
Turning again TO Rodolpho, he
said: AT least, Count Claud o, YOU
must afford me time to obtain this
money"
BAH replied. Rodolpho. at once.
would Won attempt such tritling with
me. Bernardo? Think yol that | shall
give YOU time and leisure to betray
me, instead of fulfilling your promise?
No. no.
The couDtenance of Count Donati
fell, for he was guilty in his own heart;
but he quickly rallied and asked with
some feeling:
Ibid ever heiray You, Rodolpho?'
"No, Bernardo: he au,e YOU never
had motive 50 to do. Circumstances
are now reversed.
And yoa dare not trust me?'
Il do not fear you. Bernardo. but
cannot je'ay III natter. Ny engage
mentS are eremptJry.
II must have me,
How much will accommodate YOU,
them
Until tomorrow, said Donat.
AT what hour 70 morrow
AT noon.
You are in rnest, then. and will
not play me ialse?' continued Ro-
dolpho. looking into his eyes curl
! ouSly.
"You may rely on me-
Twenty thousand ducats in Italian
gold at noon tomorrow
YES, on my honor.
1T is well agr, to that.
I'm the mean inc. continued Do
natl. calml,. be my guest. | shall ne
gotiate the money through friend;
will not leave you alone, lest You may
susi Get my intentions.
Enough, said Rodolpho; II think
may venture To trds you. But, mark
me, must not be deceived. To NOR.
row. at the hour of noon the gold must
be forthcoming: and il Your evil gent
us should suggest you, in the inte-
RIM. to do me iniur or play the knaye,
again beware For | swear to you
Bernardo. | will cannot-now be
baked. If you will provide this mon
ev. tell You. on my honor, il shall be
returned to You. If YOU relcnt and
aim to cntrap me. your house shall be
sacked, and your head shall pay the
forfeit for your perlidy, within the
week suing DO we understand
each other
There is no need of threats. Rodol-
pho; have determined upon my
course.
These were DonatIs words; and
shortly aftcrwari the traveller, who
declared he wa, wear, of his long
journey, partook OF goblet of wine
and some dried fruit, and was shown
to his sleeping apartment.
Rodolpho said, Good night,
Count. when he slave appeared at
the door to conduct him to his room;
but Donati only moved his head as
the former retired.
The once robbcr ch ef. now the lord
lv owner of uncOunted thousands, the
deprayed aud wicked hearted Bernar-
do. sat alone in his library half an
hour afterward with his head resting
between his hands. and his dim but
vicious ewes glaring fearfullv at va
cancy "a, he med tated.
"lIe has made his last sezurc. y
mutlercd Bernardo mentally, rs he
sat there with the cold drops of perspi-
ration trckline through his trembling
and extended hands. "hc has drunk his
last cup of wine he h ; ridden the
last Journey he viii ever ride in this
world. Fool that he is! Does he for
get that am Perm rdo-tha; was
Bernardo? Well. he may as well die.
"a that | should starve. Thirty thous-
and drcat-, He may pay for his tenn
Gritty. am equal to yet. Rodolpho
will 90 hence no more,
Such was the Italians resolve; and
though lie did OF care 10 have the
blood Of a cDmpanioi upon his hands.
vet he loved h~ wealth too well to
shower gold ~ tlon~a d. upon friend
or foe. lie Il tenn ed To remain i'm
his private apartment. ard when all
was still he would steal to the cham
Der of his n st a4d dispatch him as
he slept. HIS purse of gold might cas-.
ily be placed under the pillow of one
. of his slaves and that would eXouer-