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

reading the account we have quoted,
left Genoa, and arrived at Palermo.
Amidst all his shiftings and changes
and adventures. Claudio had constant
ly retained possession of his favorlte
black mare, PER-" When he alb
scented himself from the country. he
always placed her in charge of IA faith
full person who provided Tor her. anil
took pride in preserving her in fine
condition constantly against the hour
when her master might, at any time
send for her. This was Il noble beast;
and next to his wife he loved his
matchless peri.
Few men in Europe could manage
horse or ride one better than Claudio;
and this was "A iayorite exercise with
him, for his wife was magnificent
horsewoman as we'll Their excursions
into the suburbs. on all conven-
nient occasions, therefore, on
horseback. were frequent. They
were entering Palermo one evening.
just at dusk, riding slowly along,
when the palfrey upon which Fran
cesca was seated became suddenly
alarmed at some object at the road
side. and boltcd Unexpectedly. In her
sudden attempt TO recover the bit and
bring her horse in hand again. the
girth of her saddle slipped, and the
lady instantly sprang TO the ground TO
save herself Rodolpho was at her
side Immediately. and the saddle
straps were at once frightened, and she
sprang lightly into her seat again, as
her stced turned about and started of
at a gallop. As Claudio wheeled to
mount his mare. he felt a sharp blow
at the back of his head-from whence.
or by whom. he had no idea; and a.
he fell senselcss al the side Of the road,
stranger jumped over his PROSTATE
body into his saddle. and the mare
! dashed furiously away upon the track
of Francesca.
1t was some time before Francesca
could stop her palfrey, which had
been frightened by the sudden appear
ance of a mans form, which protrud-
! ed from the side Of the road which
neither Claudio nor his wife had OBJ
served That intruder was Count
Donati. who had just reached Palermo
and having learnt the temporary where
abouts of those he sought, determined
to wait upon them at once, and make
the most of the advantages which
might issue in his favor, under the cir
cumstances.
Claudio. stunned by the blow he had
received, still lay uncOnSc Gus of any
thing, when the strange rider overlook
| Francesca. Evening had set in, and
| il was very nearly dark when the we'll
( known Per dashed up to her side, and
she noticed that the rider (whom she
/ mistook for her husband) seized upon
/ the palfrey's bit She shouted at this
act. which she supposed was TO aid
/ her, and said
DO not touch him. Claudio; he is
! behaving very well. | am quite safe;
DO not check him thus
Francesca, said familiar voice.
4 which penetrated to her very heart;
"halt. Francesca, and listen TO my
words.
Paralyzed with terror shocked at
! the sudden appearance of her guar
dian, the Count. and decply alarmed
for her absent husband. poor Frances
ca could not speak for 4 moment She
| looked back. then at her guardian.
then at Peri, and thus she >hr cked:
Claudio! Claudio, my husband
Where is he? where IS he?
Hear me. Francesca, said Count
Donat. firmly. You have escaped
me thrice: YOU cannot do 20 again.
have staked my all OF hope and re-
venge upon tn moment
Count Donati. tell me. is HE hurt"'
Forward. France,ca YOU must &C
company me now. Claudio will not
modest us at present. lie sure of il.
Forward. say and the Italian drove
/ his rowels deep in PERKS sides. while
he clutched the bit of Franc esca' pal
frey with an iron grip. and away dash.
tunate wife scarcely realizing where
she was or what she was doing amid
her terror and excitement.
AWAY went Peri at top speed for a
few moments; but she very soon dis
covered that she carr ed an unnatural
weight, and tina the spur, that gored
her tanks were altoge hers new mode
of impetus TO her he palfrey was
like foN; and Francesca still kept
her seat. bound whittier she had nC
idea.
On dashed the guardian and his
ward at a furious pace and poor Ro-
/ dolpho. robbed of his wife without q
moments notice. lay for some time
upon the roadside ignorant of the
cause of his trouble. and utterl, I'M
conscious OF what had been transpir
ing since he received the blow upon
his forehead.
Forward. then. Donati! 1t is your
last chance. The game is desperate
one and Nou NAV WIN. bat the chances
are against YOU, nevertheless. Have
care for the beast on are riding has
known the voice Of a kinder rider foi
many month. and her proud spiri;
will scarce brook the treatment YOU
now offer her. The matchless Per
strobe away al terrible pace, and the
palfrey upon which francesca wa,
seated still galloped on A. fast as lis
legs could carry her; while the desper
ate Italian drove his rowels into PERI.
side. and cont nued still To shout
Forward, Francesca forward. There
is no other course left YOU.
Five minutes is a long space of time
for man TO be tereit of his senses
and in five minutes OF time, at the pace
they travelled, the Italian and his cap
tive must have gone a very considera
bic distance from the spot " here Clau
q o had been struck down. But 'as
there is usually an end TO this sort Of
thing, so there was an end TO his un
consc business. and when he came ta
himself part allN. he half arose. en-
deavored To look about him. and call t.