Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-07-24

We will not keep the reader in sus-
penSe, but may say ut once that one is
Count Claudio and Hector Fiaramonte.
They have evidently arranged their
plan of action; for both. without hesi-
tation. commence cl mbing the trellis-
work leading to the open window Of
the large saloon. Suddenly an eXcla-
mat on broke from Count Claudio, who
was in advance.
"a thousand devils! what means
| this?"
"What ails you, CountP" asked Fiar-
amont lis not the way clear
enOughi'
Lower Your voice; we may be
heard. The way clear! too clear; for
see, here is rope ladder
So saying, Count Claudio laid hold
of a ladder rope and swung it to Fara-
monte. The latter caught it in his
hand, andhfter gazing at it for mo-
ment, gave vent to a cry of astonish-
ment.
Hasten, Count; something is
wrong; know this e-ladder-have
seen it before"
The devilr'
at is the devil; for it belongs to one
not apt To stick ut triles; and if. as
suspect, he is now in the house, it may
fare i'll with the young lady,
An exclamation of fury broke from
the Count.
ITO whom then, does it belongP"
ITO Brayadura aS great ruflian as
ever cut "A gentleman throat for the
sake OF his purse.
"Bravadura the bravo. the hired
assassin? What does ne here2"
Il know not 40 good IN be sworn.
| We shall know anon. Mount Count.
| Count Claudio swung himself light
| ly up. and the next moment lcaped TO
his feet in the saloon. Fiaramontc
followed his example. and both en-
ployed themselves in accommodating
the situation.
The saloon appeared deserted. An
Oil-lamp in "A colorcd shade east dim
hight just sufficient TO distinguish OBJ
iects by. The salo II appeared unten-
antcd, and Count Claudio, 10 make
assurance doubly sure, took up the
| lamp and looked carefully all around
80 far SO good, Fiaramonte, he
| said; "now TO the business. 1t must
be done quietly, hope, but it must
be done.
Very good, Count hope She
won't scream.
Il think not; will explain 10 her.
She will see the ncce ,sIty of the step,
| and grant me her forgiveness for the
| gentle force circumstances compel me
/ to use.
Still, though he endcavored to per-
suade himself that Francesca would
not be seriously offended he felt by no
means at his ease. The desperate ma
| ture of his circumstances, COMO ne
with his deep love for Francesca, Sc
riously embarrassed him. On the one
hand was Kudiga. the Woman in
| Red, who claimed her; on the other
was the Countess who also asserted
her right to the girl.
But suppoSiug she rcsists. and
raises an Outcry?'
AT all risks she must be carried OFF.
My deep love must afterwards be nv
excuse; her own heart, too. will plead
for me-
While Claudio. bent on carrying of
by force the object of his mad passion.
was talking with his accompice. Fran
cesca in utter ignorance of the danger
that mcnaced her. was calmly asleep
in an adjoining room. She had not
undrcssed, preferring To await her
mother return before doing so.
From the fact of the rope-ladder
hanging from the window, Claudio
and the other knew that some one be-
sides themselves must have gained adj
mission To the house. Taking the lamp
in his hand. Claudio proceeded to eV-
plore thoroughly first the saloon, and
afterward the corridors which led
from it. There were two of these, in
one of which was the chamber of
francesca. He examined this first,
passing noiSclcssly right 10 the end.
When he had satisfied himself that no
one was there, he rctraced his steps.
and was on the point of rr-entering
the saloon with the intention of search
inc the other passage, when Fiara-
monte suddenly Land his hand on his
arm.
"A light-see, light; some one is
moving.
Now that his attention was called to
it, Count Claudio noticed a DIM flick
ering light coming As though from
shaded lantern in the large hall.
Cautiously he advanced, and con.
cealing himself behind pillar, looked
out sharply, first, however. putting
out the light he carried. He could
make out the figure of man stealing
noiSelcs,ly about. He carried with
him small lantern. He presently set
this down on large table, and com
menccd tampering with the lock of
large safe. endeayoring TO open il.
1t was our friend Brayadura. and
apparently his design was robbery.
Fiaramonte stole silently up to him.
and just as he was about opening the
cabinet, laid his hand upon his shout
der. Bravadura started as though
shot. and, with savage oath. drew
his knife and prepared to defend him
self
So soon. however, as he recognized
Fiaramonte, he refrained from attack
ing him.
"What brings you here?" he
growlcd.
And what brings you? No good,
I'll be bound. y
Good or no good. that's my bust
ness; so just attend to yours, and leave
me alone"
what is your object?' again asked
Fiaramonte.
Cant you guess?'
"Gold?"
"Yes; gold in the first place; in the
second, something else; but. curse it,
the man who promised to aid me has