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

placed certain property OF some value
In the hands of friend there. with
whom he desired to communicate. The
voyage thither took but short time.
as the schooner proved fine sailer
and worked admirably. From thence
the vessel sailed to Palermo, it being
the intention of Claudio to settle there
for some time at least, and arrange his
| affairs.
And while our hero and his be uti-
full young wife were thus putting a
long distance of sea aud land between
them and their prosecutors. there were
other parties connected with our mar
rative, and other scenes enacting, to
which we must now attend. Let us,
therefore return to Leghorn and look
after Count Donati. whom we left in
the custody of the vigilant police in
that renowned city.
1t turned ont that Bernardo had laid
his plans with precision and good ia ig-
ment; but he conld not forego the OPP.
portunty, which he believed the cir
cumstances of the case afforded him,
of seeing Claudio, and of personally
denouncing him. after all the trouble
he had to find h IN. BY means of tho
duplicity of his own clan, whom Do
natl had searched out among the
mountains. he had been able to get
clew to his whereal outs: and having
found him al last by means of his
alias. the Count Autenne. he lost
no time in putting the authorities upon
his track.
But Bernaruo- the former master of
Claud o and his original IN ,iructor in
crime could not be content merely
with the sat Sfacton to be derived
from seeing the police perform their
duty. He was not satisfied to know
that Rodolpho would be arrested.
easily convicted. and PROBABLY con
demned to the gale for ! fe: but he
must meet him once more. face To face.
This was what the old robbcr gloated
oSas1 and he would also tear Frances
ca from him, in the III d,t If his con
bterna,lon. al the moment when the
soldiery should pounce upon him at
his hotel. such was his plan. and we
have already seen how successful il
proved.
The better to enable him TO carry
out his scheme. he had provided him.
self with letters of cred upon the
the best bankers in Lcghorn. and he
had also brought with him ample ere
dentialS of character from prominent
citizens of Genoa, who had known
him in that ncighborhoOd for some
time. A retaliation, disposition on
Claudio's part after his arrest. would
therefore have awaited him nothing.
Aui 10. H..
by Count Donati 10 fix hdndred
crimes upon him, and had he left the
authorities to do their duty unmolest-
ed. he might have triumphed As it
was, his antagonist was more than
ever match for him.
The reader VII remember that we
left the Count in the dark surrounded
by half score of guards in the apart
ment from which Claudio had so sin
gularly made his escape. In the con-
fusion which en,ued. the soldiers
rushed in and secured the man
they CHANGED to find there. They were
completely deceived by the assumed
voice and manner of the Young man
but as it had been arianged between
the guard and the Count / onati that.
al the moment Of Rodolpho's supposed
arrest the old Italian should secure
the person OF the Young lady whom he
clam ed - his legal ward. they were
thrown entirely of their guard for Il
moment. rs they supposed Donati had
taken possession Of Francesca as they
entered the room. and that all. of
course, was proceeding as previously
agreed upon. Seize him, secure
your prisoner" Claudio had shouted,
AS he rushed by them with his wife:
and they did secure the man who lay
upon the floor.
Lights were procured. and after a
few minuses' delay Count Donati came
10 hims self. and the unlucky ruSc was
discovered. Donat swore, and charged
The guird with conniving with the
scoundrel To escape. The officer of the
guard retail ated. and threatened the
Italian with arrest unless he kept
Jyil tongue in his head. In the mean
.ii = laudio and his wife were increas-
ne the q stance between them and |
ne pursurers.
The hotel was qu ckly ransacked by /
he police, and within half an hour /
spies were sent out in every direction |
n search Of the fugitives. In vain was /
inquiry, in vain did the guard search I
very nook and corner, and put ques. /
ion after quest on to all whom they |
'hanced to meet. The lucky pair had /
been seen by nc one, and their retreat |
vas perfectly successful Count Do.
lati was in dreadful rage; but he .
'ould not find the object upon which
he desired to wreak his vengeance.
They were far beyond the reach of his
lrm or influence and the lovers were
'ongratulating each other upon their
rood fortune in the cabin of the little
schooner.
Count Donati left Leghorn as he
ame. lie repaired at once to his res
dence near Genoa. and as soon as
lis new dwelling was completed. he
nee more sat down to enjoy the luz
lries OF life which were still left him:
or Notwithstanding his disasters he
-et had a goodly amount of means at
us command.
Return we now to Claudio and his
'eaut full Francesca. Arriving at
'alerno. he paid the captain roundly
or his trouble and faithfulness, took
odgings at retired hotel for a few
avs, intending, a. soon as his affairs
we're arranged and Francesca had re-
overed from the fatigue and effects OF
he voyage, TO travel until they found
ONE quiet spot to their liking. and
here permanently reside.
But while tarrying at Palermo. the
fe come news reached Claudio that a
NIL and free nardon had baan oroo,od