Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-09-11


by the flames of his own homestead,
but that he actually, and by force,
DSrc the fair girl away. and then, by
violent threats, compelled her TO mar
ry him."
''Somc such account do remember
hav .ng heard" said the Count. con
fuscdiy. but truce to further ban
ter, Signor | have already lent YOU
too much of my leisure without know
ing whom | have the honor of speak
ing W Tn. Your name, then, Signor,
ere we procen ri furthcrP'
"Let me remove my mask, Sir
Count, and you will then see If we
have ever met before" and suiting the
acton To the word the visitor quick
ly displaced his closely fitting mask,
and the Count as quickly sprang To his
feet, astonished.
"Bcrnardor' exclaimed the Count
wildly.
Count Donati, ut your SERVICE"
continued the intruder, rs calmly rs
he could under the circumstances.
"And now. odolpho, Count Claudio,
your incognito will serve you no fur
Their in Naples. You may be tho
Count Auticnnc no longer here. You
stand nj th 5 moment face to face, Ro.
dolpho. with the man you have rob
Ell and nearly murdered. him whom
you left t. the mercy - the flames
which deyourcd his property; your for
mer master, whom YOU .now too well
to believe that he vii. not be even
with you yet
"Donati," sad Rodolpho, deeply
agitated.
Hear me-" Numbered Bernardo
Listen TO what | have yet to add
You have forfeited all claims To mercy
or cons dcrdtion. You have placed
yourself IN position of rogue among
rogues. You have committed act
which language is inadequate to de-
nominate. You have robbed and inn
posed on me me, who YOU know full
well will have revenge, redress. for
this foul injury"
Come, Bernardo" said Rodolpho,
coolly, suppose we consider this mat
ter like mel of eXper cnce, At least, in
concerns of this character, and like
men who are acquainted with the
others faults and virtues"
IL am not here to handy words.
IL Judge not; but unless you lower
your tone of voice. all Naples Will soon
know that Bernardo and RodOlpho,
two of the most notorious brigands i'm
Europe, are mt the present moment in
their very midst. The chance for eth
er of us to retire from this place. when
this should be made public, would be a
very Indifferent one. | fancy
Give me back my ward; restore me
my gold. Show me ut once that YOU
will render me satisfaction for the ruin
You have so nearly accomplished, or
will b. summar ~ Avenged
Not so fast. bernardo. Francesca
is now my wife.
"Wifc! DO ncttalk this to me- said
Bernardo, with snccr. Think you
that | am not better acquainted with
YOU than to lei eve for one moment
that YOU are married t. hcr?'
IL tell You that she is my lawfully
welded wife.
Il tell YOU, Rodolpho, she is my
ward and you shall
Hold, Bernardo. You are proceed
ing too far. | will submit no longer
TO your insults and your abuse You
know me; 90. then, dcnounce me.
Tell the authorities of Naples that
am Rodolpho, if You dare do it; and
then YOU may add. that | defy both
them and YOU l. ere, come fOrthi'
In response to his order, Bernardo
was astonished and alarmed to see a
stalwart figure spring forth from the
recess behind 70 olpho.
BERNARD. continued Rodolpho,
''you would have murdered me i'm cold
blood even VIII lSt was your guest.
You put at defiance me and my neces-
sites, and YOU must take the consc-
quences. give you nothing, accede
to nothing: lie, Us be Strangers, enc
m cs, if lou will, but not one jot or tit
tie of my rights do yield or conccde
to YOU"
Scarcely had Rodolpho concluded,
when Bernardo sprang at his throat
with a tigers iicrccness, and dashed
him against the wall of the apartment.
But the act was very quickly responded
to by Rodolpho, who was backed by
his faithful and powerful companion,
Pierre.
"Quickr shouted Rodolpho TO his
attendant; there is but n single
chance left for us. To the right.
Pierce and with these brief words
Rodolpho seized upon the person of
old Bernardo, and was quickly backed
Nv his companion.
A heavy fall quickly followed the
remark of Rodolpho, as the form of
Bernardo disappeared in the recess.
Trait screamed the old man.
But ere he could finish the word n
handkerchief had been forced into his
mouth; he was thrown violently upon
the floor by his two assailants; his
hands and feet were instantly tied; and
thus gagged and pinioncd. they lcft him
in n closet in silence and darkness.
II was now midnight. AS Rodolpho
returned to his room again. with
Pierre ut his side, he said
What remains TO be done must not
be delayed.
"But how are we to movcP"
Easily easily enough. Since he is
not dead. have no wish to be his muir
dcrcr. VIII not harm him personal
ly. except to protect myself and my in
terestS. | thought he had fallen be
meath the smoky ruins of his house.
lie has escaped; let him live. Now to
business. You see, did not ante pate
this adventures but To guard against
accident, | laid my plans so rs to lie
able To depart from here nj moments
notice. Order our horses, therefore.
at once.
Where shall we rendezvous"
AT the gorge in the rear Of Vec-
CHA"