Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-07-10
CHAPTER VI.
TIE PALACE DONATE.

out of the large, open window which
looked into the courtyard. A sweet. pale
faced, fair-haired girl of some eighteen
or nineteen summers, thelook of anxiety
and grief on her features made her yet
more interesting. Dressed in pale
blue satin, her luxurant light hair
| flowing loosely over her white shout
ders, she looked like pale and
delicate lily a being too fragile for
| earth.
"My mother, my dear mother! where
| can she beP" the young girl murmur-
| ed "She went out five hours ago, say
| ing she would be back very soon. IL
wants now but an hour of midnight.
| Surely nothing can have happened?
| Her manner when she left was strange,
and there was wild light in her eve
which alarmed me. This morning she
received letter from the Count, my
| father. fear il contained bad news,
| for, from the moment of reading
she has been oppressed with heavy
grief. God grant no harm has befall-
en- herr
Thus musing the young girl touched
| small silver bell, and waiting-maid
quickly appeared.
| "Ninon, | am alarmed about the
Countess. my mother; where can she
! be? Did she go out in the carriagep'
mo, Signorita; her ladyship went out
on foot. and would not even allow one
of the servants to accompany her. She
said she would not be more than an
hour at the outside.
That will do, Ninon. Leave me;
would be alone
Francesca went out on the balcony,
| and leaning her chin on her hand,
gazed anxiously and sadly out on the
great gate of the court yard, through
which the countess had gone out.
She remained thus for half an hour,
silent and motionless as a fair statue.
when again the iii 81 e.r l,e1?trr1I
~~-'-5IgIorita, there is u man below
who desires speech of you he is a
strengthening man. wearing a sword,
and with staggering gait. like not
his appearance.
ellis name?'
Hector Fiaramonte, he says"
81 never heard the name. | know
him not. What can he want with
me?"
"Shall | dismiss him, Signorita?"
"Yes. will not see stranger
The girl was about departing, but
she called her back.
Stay; will see him"
The servant looked wonderingly al
her young lady. at loss TO account
for her sudden change of purpose.
perhaps he has news of the Coun
tess my mother. Send him up. -
The girl obeyed; and in a short space
ushered in Hector Fiaramonte, soldier
of fortune, as he chose to style himself
with whom the reader is already &C
guainted.
The fair young girl regarded him
curiously. half in wonder, half in fear
And, indeed there was some reason fol
delicately-nurtured young lady tC
look askance on the reckless bravo h'
appeared.
well, sir she faltered, wha
would YOU with me?'
He looked round at the girl Nnon
who remained in the saloon, rs though
not thinking it safe to leave her young
lady alone with so questionable a char
acter.
What | have to say, | must sa!
alone.
"Ninon, leave me.
"Signorita, consider; this person
this gentleman is IA stranger, urge'
the girl.
mo natter" said Francesca, de
cisively, II will hear what he has t'
say.
Ninon then withdrew. and Hector
looking around the room, approached
the young lady with mysteriou
air.
"Speak, sir, Have you news of m,
mother"
, 1T concerns her, yourself and an
other.
: Another? Who?'
"Ceunt Claudio"
4 deep blush suffu.ed the girls fac
, us she heard the name.
/ "IIa. What of the Count?'
T II win tell YOU anon; but first | vii
speak of yourself.
Proceed" said Francesca, agitate
by strange emotion.
well, then. lady, first of yourself
{ You are in Danger
, "In danger! How"
you have an enemy
: IAN cnemyP !, who have never in
! jured any oneP'
Yes, an enemy; and yet not an Ell
envy
t "You speak in riddles, sir; | under
4 stand you not.
Q IL have this day been offered none
Z. to carry YOU OF by force.
4 A flush of Indignation and angc
t mounted to the girls cheeks at thcs
+ words.
Garry me of by force! Who dar
attempt such deed. Not-not---
: She hesitatcd and he completed th
sentence for her.
Not Count Claudio. you woul
ss-y lady. No. it is not Count Claudio.
e "Who then is it? Deal no longc" j
4 riddles"
i "Rudiga. the Jcwess, tho Woman 3
Y Red She says that the Countess Do
o natl Is not your mother, and the sh
will restore YOU to your real mother
Moreover. she offered me money to al
duct you, and swore a bitter oath tina
: Count Claudio shall never wed yol
She is to be feared. for she has th
power of gold.
what knows she OF Count Claudio
What enmity has she against himp-
u and why H. she thus vindictiveP III
wQman must be mad"