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

"Maiuen, fair, on. prlthee listen,
Listen to my tale OF love,
While the silver moonbeams glisten
Through the orange-scented grove,
Les Us wander, lady bright.
By the moons pale silver light
Meath the shadow of the grove
Lady, listen to my loveN'
''Ist-hist." said voice near the
singer at this moment, and, turning
quickly round, Rodolpho observed his
faithful Pierre advancing stealthily.
and motioning him to retire within the
shadow of the wall.
There is some one stirring-the old
fellow himself, think" said Pierre,
in low voice. Il watched light
moving ut the further end of the
building few moments since, and
noticed it was carried in the direction
OF your sleeping room. The old count
will miss You. Captain.
"How can hep the door is fastened"
Exactly; but thought to caution
you.
Thanks for your promptness. !
will be careful. You NAV retire.
Pierre; but be near me. Where is An
tome. and the reSt?'
''ln the .me-grove.
"iow many are we!
Twelve in all, Captain.
III is well
Scarcely had this brief dialogue
passed. when Slight rustling at the
window of the piazza behind him ar
rested Rodolpho's attention, and
yelled figure stepped lightly out upon
the walk In a moment longer that
figure disappeared beneath the shade
of the vine-clal arbor, and in the next
Rodolpho was kneeling at Francesca's
feet.
Lady" he said, as he seized her
snowy hand, IA thousand thousand
times, in one sentence, let me thank
you for your condescension. You have
taken from my heart load of fear
that even Rodolpho could not longer
bear; and owe YOU life and Joy for
the permission thus 10 kneel at your
feet and swear eternal honor and fealty
to YOU, Francesca, the beautful-the
only woman To whom ever bowed the
knee.
The rapturous manner of utterance
which characterized this brief but
earnest declaration. though il was sub
dued IN cautious tone, lest there
might be ONE other listener to it. was
highly catering To the sensitive heart
and romantic disposition of the beauty
thus asa led: bnt Naomi contrived to
deport herself with becoming grace
under the peculiar circumstances.
''Signor, she said, 1--WE are strang-
ers.
Say not this, sweet Naomi" ar
IDENTIFY responded Rodolpho: "say
rather that Fortune has again thrown
us together, tina. our cup of JOY should
be filed TO the brm at once.
Rise. Signor Rodolpho." continued
Naomi. land be calm. 1t scarcely be-
fits an honorable lady : reputation thus
TO meet at midnight. and hold converse
with one of whom she knows so little.
But Francesca re ioices TO say to him
whom she now permits TO kneel to
her, that an unknown passion guides
her. Until we meet again. Rodolpho,
the world was blank 10 me in compari-
son. You have Stormed the citadel
like a valiant soldier, and YOU may de-
serve to occupy the heart that until
now has proved inyulncrable. "
Thanks sweet Naomi; ten thousand
must be strangers no longer, and you
shall see how deserving | will be of
your love. But not now, Naomi; at
some other fitting opportunity all shall
be explained. Suffice il. that fate pre-
scented me the opportunity of being
serviceable TO you, and by that means
subsequently brought me nearer TO
YOU. Suffice il. that | love you with
an ardor that words are incapable of
describing; and let me promise YOU
by all that possess. by all that | hold
sacred in f.. by my fortune, my hon
or, my life that my intents and hopes
and OBJ Gets are your happiness, now
and hereafter.
Thus passed nearly an hour. The
honeyed words of the eloquent and
passionate lover sunk deeply into the
heart Of the beautiful girl to whom he
addressed them; and when they parted
Naomi permitted her gallant to raise
her hand to his lips. Rodolpho was
in rapture. Naomi was happy in the
consciousness of being thus loved, and
the interview ended with promise to
meet again at an early hour.
The magician professional bust
ness at Genoa was completed. He APP
peared there no more.
As stealthily rs he left his sleeping
room. so did the traveller return to il.
Pierre was at hand with the light seal
ing ladder. on which Rodolpho mount
ed once more to his room intending to
remain quietly till morning, awaiting
Count Donati : action in regard to the
anticipated loan which he had prom
ised. to be paid on the next day at
noon.
"Say to Antoine observed Rodol-
pho, rs he was about to descend to his
chamber. that ! shall not need his
services, probably. with the men; and
he NAV retire To the wood at Concha,
where ! will meet him tomorrow
night.
"Yes. Captain
"And LEI them get away slowly
hence. to avoid observance, a. they
came Before daylight they can have
all retired, by twos or three. Bid An
tome bring up the rear
Il comprehend.
Good night, Pierre"
"Adieu, Captain, said his compan-
ion, as Rodolpho sprang through the
broad window lightly. and reached his
sleeping apartment again.
Curse those love-sick SWANS. say
Iv' muttdred Count Donati, an hour
previously, rs he awoke from his nap
and looked about him. for the conclu-
sion of Rodolpho's song was just audi
BILE, in its tone and burden. Con