Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-07-31
THE WOMAN In RED.
A Thrilling Italian Story Of the
Last Century.
Ky GEORGE w. NJ. REYNOLDS
CHAPTER XIV.

1hAN'tStA LANES AN OAllf.
The confession wrung from the
Countess Donati struck al present with
dismay. The Jewess stood the queen
of the situation, while the unfortunate
Constanza Donati was utterly crushed
and broken in spirit. She could not
muster courage enough to look Fran
cesca in the face till the latter spoke
to her
Running up to her as she lay on a
couch, hiding her face. and giving vent
to her grief in deep sobs, Francesca
seized her hands, and pressing them
fondly, cndeavored TO console her
'Mother. dear mOther-for to me
you have ever been one do not greve;
though | am not indeed, your daughter,
| will. please heaven, always act as
such. Yours was the hand that reared
me from my infancy. yours the voice
that first taught me To lisp the sacred
name of mother To you, then, my
love and gratitude are ever due, and
shall ever be rendered.
"And what of me, oh. Naomi, my
daughter?" said the Jcwess in voice
of emotion.
Francesca went up to the Woman in
Red sweet smile on her beautiful
face: she took her hand.
ITO you-for ] can no longer doubt
that you speak truth, and that you are
indeed my parent-to you | owe duty.
1t is for YOU to command, for me TO
obey. Ihave known little of you; YOU
have been to me a stranger, although
/ am your daughter. Time may ripen
n sense of duty into a feeling of love.
i pity your misfortunes and viii pray
to heaven for your welfare; more /
cannot say"
at is the voice of an angel speak
ing cried the Jewess rapturously.
my child. my darling child, Heaven
will listen to your prayer, and the poor
Jewess will once again possess her
daughter and her daugh ter's love"
She folded Francesca in close en-
brace, and held her so for a second or
two then she released her. and adj
dressing her and the Countess Donati,
said:
Listen 10 what am about to say:
1t has pleased Heaven 10 point out to
me my long lost daughter, but not yet TO
restore her to nv arms. The Ruler of
all will complete His work in His own
time. Meanwhile, the child grieves at
the thought of being torn from the
home and associations of her child
hood. Is it not so, Naomi? Speak and
fear not"
"Oh, yes, yes; do not take me away;
let me remain here but u little time
longer"
"My child, it shall be as you wish
at least for time" said the Jewess,
smiling sadly THE hour for my full
restitution in my rights has not yet
come; for know, Constanza Donati,
that |, Rudiga, the Jcwess, will not
take my daughter until | have won
back the love of which you have rob-
bed me. will not tear her away.
while vet IA stranger, at the sacrifice of
her happine perhaps at the risk of
her life. No; for the present she may
remain with YOU; but so sure as Jeho-
yah reigns in Heaven, He will work
upon her heart, and her love will in
scnsibly wander back to me, her
mother. When that shall have hap
pened then and not till then, will l re-
claim her"
Turning to the maiden she said:
Naomi, | have decided for the sake
of your happiness, to let you remain
under the care of the Countess Donati,
your fostcr-mother.
The girl bent her knee, and kissed
the hand of the Jewess.
"Promise me" continued the latter,
"that when | claim you at the expira-
ton OF three years, you will willingly
come and yield me your obedience,
duty and love"
81 promise" murmured the girl
family.
Swear by the Almighty, and call
his vengeance down on the head of
yourself and the Countess Donati
should you refuse obedience.
IL will swear
You will swear at the end of three
years, TO come to me, wherever you
may be, whomsoever you may be
with"
II swear"
"Thon the Jewess dictated an oath,
which Francesca, pale and trembling
did not refuse 10 take.
Rise, daughter; rise Naomi. /,
your mother, leave you now; but only
for time. In three years, wherever
you may be, shall not fail to claim
thee. AS for YOU, SIR" she said, turn
ing to Count Claudio, "you shall never
again SGT eyes OH my uhuHnJcT.
''Begone," echoed the Countess Do
natl, remembering the late audacious
attempt of the young man.
Francesca. he said despairingly,
twill you not forgive me?"
Count Claudio, you have grossly
and wantonly insulted me this day; |
wish to sec you no more. Henccforth
we are strangers; not even in my
houghts shall you be present now