Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-08-28

of Rodolpho was made up on the in
ltant.
Down. with the knavesl Down will
them, comrades" shouted Rodolpho
securing his pistol and stlctto; 1.-The,
have chosen this way OF settling GU
affairs, and we are agreed. Dow
with the rascalG! Secure the plate An,
valuables; don't harm the women
sack the house; see TO the gold anc
jewelry: and burn the buildings Over
the migrate traitors head Away
The well-armed robbers had already
walked out over the falling aud fallen
FORM, OF the comparatively defense
less slaves OF Donati, and, followed by
kodolpho. they very soon found their
way to the plate-room. The men outside
had broken through the tower windows,
and elected an entrance. though thee
had been at first opposed by the in.
mates, who were soon oyerpOwered
and driven back The plate was taken
care OF; the strong-boN had been de-
mol she'd and rilled and the gang as.
cended 10 secure the Jewels and other
yaluables that might be found
The wound upon Count Claudio
shoulder was a severe one, and il con.
tlnued TO bleed profusely: but with
/ the nerve OF an enraged lion. he
still pressed forward with his men. to
be avenged upon the scoundrel who had
so deceived and injured him His fol.
lowers dashed through the elegant
apartment, N hot haste, lingering on
~ here and there moment 10 grasp
some valuable ornament or other. and
at last reached the wing appropriated
To the females of the house and their
attendants
Terribly alarmed, the women had
rushed TO the beautiful boudoir OF
Francesca. where they sought counsel
temporarily amidst the uproar of the
attack. In vain did Donati attempt 10
rally his slaves to the defense of his
property and their own lives. I'm vain
he cursed their cowardice. and YELLED
at them a they fed Half dozen Law
PROSTATE. just where they stood. in the
onslaught, and several of tho Others
had received such severe cuts and
blows from the robbers IN PEASANT
that all were agreed that the better
part of vaIor was discretion, and they
governed themselves accordingly.
Count Donatl was not the man to
yield thus readily. however; and.
'nglc-handcd. determined. valiant a,
ever he was the ancient robber rushed
upon detachment OF the asSai!ants.
whom he SAW in the act of bearing
away hi, massive silver plate. 1t was
bold attack. but an unfortunate one
for Count Donati; for the robbers fell
upon him violently. and quickly LEFT
him covered with wound, and contu
cons, dying where he fell, But another
scene wa, enarting at remote quar-.
ter OF the dwelling
While the women huddlcd around
the form of their Young ms
tres,. and beSought her To- tel
them how they should escape
violation and murder at the hands of
the ruliian robbers; and while Fran
cesca herself. deeply alarmed and pale
as a water-lily, stood wondering what
course she could pursue for their
and her own Safetv-evcn m that
trying moment her thoughts turned to
her strange lover: and she would have
called upon Rodolpho TO save her, but
80" could not summon fortitude 20 TO
act
Then came the thought, on sud.
den here j. he? has he escaped can
he have fallen IN the mcIccl and where
'.a> count Donati. her protector? But
mere was non' 20 answer: and the
'iotou- noise continued within and
the building aud now the rob
lers approached even the boudoir OF
Naomi What could be- done2
On came the band excited i'm the
! CHEST degree. still seeking for new
'lundcr OF value ON they came. with
'aths. and shouts, and mcnaces: and
II moment one of the sidc-doorS of
ne boudo = was forced, and half a doz.
n robbers rushed through the aper.
ure, The women screamed from
right, and rushed madly to the feet OF
francesca, clnging wildly To her
kirt~. and imploring her 10 save them.
But aid was at hand,
Al the opposite door the stranger.
.ucst suddenly made his appearance
nd, rushing TO the center of the
Partment Bach, Williams" he said.
: he brandished his huge poniard:
back. say and then a pistol shot
and then another as the wo.
zen tainted. and the robbers gave way
efore the fury OF Rodolpho.
Bat no ono was injured in this a.
ault The scene was 1ery opportunc.
Or Naomi now saw, i'm tn valiant de.
'nder OF herself and attendants. her
'Ver and former dcliyercr once more.
MT there was no time TO be lost The 4,
1bbery OF the premises had been com a
lete. Count Donati lay gagping for !
reath in Tho great hall. and the torch !,
the inccndiary had ALREADY begun TO =
o t. fr ghtiul work upon both the "
ables and the dwelling.
As the intruders were driven back
ON the apartments of Naomi. the c
omen d SpcrScd. and. when they had
covered from their fright. each one E,
'ok the shortest way to get out Of the -,
ou>e and escape a. best they could.
ne lady alone remained. 81,
Loved Francesca. said Rodolpho. u
ndly. do not speak 10 me of yalor -
Nv: do not halt to thank me for this \
BOD fortune which has placed me at .,
'ur de az such moment Coun- .,
onati ha~ fallen, pierced with a score ~
wounds. the villa is now on fire y,
uck. II YOU value your lifew -
Whittier oh. whittier can nv9" o.
This way-quick. dear Naomi =,
rust 10 this good right arm. and 10 l., H.,
e honor of HIM who loves vou." h,
''f re, lire. the house i, on fire. n
He'd cowardly ,kulk. who had .ust
own himself; and with these words
scrambled down stairs and quickly =,
80