Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-10-02

good will. She believed that it was
nothing but his inycterate hostility to
Claudio. her husband, which had caus-
ed his late relentless persecution OF
her. When she again revisited the old
town. and saw the familiar places and
scenes among which she had been
brought up. the memories of the past
thronged before her; she rememb ered
her gentle. loving mother cat least,
her whom she had always supposed to
be her mother). the Countess Donati;
and then. too, there arose in fancy be-
fore her the image of her real parent.
the Woman in Red 1t was not
without causing an involuntary shud-
der that this latter presented itself; for
the remembrance OF the Jewess was so
blended in her mind with the scenes OF
violence and sorrow to those she had
loved most dearly, that, though she
bel eyed firmly she was indeed her
daughter. she could not bring herself
to regard her with the affection par
ent should command
They were no longer poor now; for.
besides the moderate fortune Claudio
could call his own. Francesca inherit
ed all the wealth which Count Eonati,
the eX-brigand. had left behind h IN.
Accord ngly her husband, anticipa-
ting her " shes. had made arrange
menls bN VIII ch they came in possession
of the Palace Donati. aud she was in
stalled "a mistress n the home of her
happy youth and maidenhood
IL might have been supposed that
under these circumstances, Francesca
would have not only ta,tci. but en-
joyed unaloyed happiness. Such. how
ever was not the case. perpetual
gloom hung over her life which the
tragic death OF him whom she once
supposed 10 be her father was quite in
sufficient TO account for. The three
years named by the Jewess had ex-
pred. and though she had not made
her appearance 10 claim the fulfillment
of franccsc - VOW, still the young
wife was troubled and anxious at
heart. for she knew not on what day
she might be called upon to renounce
her husband or falls fy her solemn
oath. But day after day. week after
week pas, ed. and nothing arose TO dis
turb the calm bappncs, of her life.
Claudio was more ahcctionate and
kind as husband than he had ever
been as lover and. Tut for the un.
/
which she lived, her happiness would
/ have been complete.
"ClGudio." she said one day to her
husband, my heart mi~gives me; ]
have sad forboding a presentimeni
of impending evil.
What evil can befall us now.
my dear Francesca? Are we no.
secure in each others love.
and in circumstances above world.
ly want? Are we not surrounde,
by faithful servants? and since we have
returned to Genoa, and YOU have re
sumed your place as mistress in tn
Palace Donati, have we not made man
friends? Are you not admired an,
praised a. the reigning beauty
Genoa? Is not every luxury at our com
mand-wealth, power. popularity
What, then. can give you cause
alarm, my Francesca"
He took her fondly in his arms, asl
thus endeavored to console her. but
in spite of all her efforts to restrain hel
feelings, tears rose to her gentle eyes
and she wept on his shoulder.
"All that you say is true. Claudio
We are indeed in possession of every
earthly blessing; and doubtless, | an
foolish and weak 10 give way to vague
alarms; but | cannot help it. A ter
rible weight is on my soul--a knowl
edge of impending evil.
What j. it you fear. dearest? Surely
after having passed through so many
perils and msfortunes Fate can hay.
no more in store for US.
IL scare know what it is, Claudio
but during the last two or three DAYS
unquiet thoughts OF the past hay,
forced themselves on me; vivid i'm
age OF the scene which took place more
than three years since l. ever presen
TO me; my poor lost mother, the Count
ess Donation. despite my certain
knowledge that she was not indeed my
mother, / shall always regard her "a
such-bowed down, crushed by he
deep grief at the thought of losing me
then that other one. of whom (thougi
| know | am indeed her daughter)
cannot think without grief and terror
her threatening manner and terribl,
denunciaton yet haunt me. Do you
not remember. too, Claudio. the oati
which | toOk-the solemn oath, by
which | bound myself TO return to hel
at the end of three years. when she
sHOulu tltlln uc lultc
have elapsed. but she has not appeared
nor have | heard ought of my poor lost
mother. the Countess Donati."
Surely. Francesca, dearest. you can
not consider an oath eXtorted under
such circumstances TO be binding?
IAN oath is registered in heaven,
and is forever binding; sccursed be he
or she who shall take the name Of the
Most High to = falsehoodr'
These words were spoken by a
strange voice, in deep. solemn tone.
Francesca screamed, and Claudio
started to his feet
There stood before them tall
figure habited a. mendicant friar.
What now. Sir Friar? Whence
come YOU. and what want you here?"
cried Claudio. in angry tones.
IL an poor brother of the holy
Order of It. Ignatius.' replied the
friar. IL come from journeying to and
fro on the earth. according to my vow
| am here TO deliver letter to this
lady, Francesca. once called Donati,
now the wife of Count Claudio.
From whom comes this letter."
Il cannot tell you "
VIII not say. rather"
Wi not. an it rlease you. 1t
amounts TO the same thing"
Then viii not suffer my wife to
receive il.