Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-07-10
..Tbere Is method in her madness,

me with this strange taleP"
LADY, | may be bad mana vio-
lent man. but | am man Of honor"
Here he laid his hand on his heart
and struck an attitude. "But my worst
enemy can never say that Hector Far
amonte is an ungrateful man. Count
Claudio once did me IA service, and my
sword, my life, is always ut his SER
vice.
Francesca looked with surprise on
tho singular looking bravo, who, de-
spite of his rascally profession. enun-
ciated SO generous sentiment.
What are you, sir?'
"a soldier of fortune, whose sword
is at the command of any who can
pay. and at the service of Count
Claudio OF yourself free of all re-
ward.
Francesca was about to speak again,
when II third person appeared ON the
scene.
IL have been an accidental listener
to conversation, my man, and
having heard so much must hear
more"
"And with these words the young
Count Claudio himself stepped for
ward and stood before the bravo and
the girl.
Claudio" cried Francesca, running
up to him, IL am so glad YOU have
come | am in terrible grief. My
mother has gone out, | know not
whittier. and now this good man comes
and fills my soul with dread by his
dark speeches.
This must be unraveled. Passing
by, saw a light in the saloon, and
knowing thereby that you had not re-
tired TO rest, | entered, and, unnoticed
by the servant, made my way here.
Che sound of voices attracted my at
tention and the mention of my own
name caused me 60 pause on the
Threshold and listen. | heard the
latter part of what passed. and now,
turning to Hector, you please speak
plainly, for will not suffer this young
lady to be alarmed with idle tales.
Come, sir, speak. y
Count Claudio addressed him in
| naughty tones, as was his wont; for
there was not more fiery and hot
! blooded young noble in Italy.
Have patience, most noble Count;
| your hasty words shall not anger me-
for You once did me a service Il great
service and Hector Fiaramontc is no
Migrate
You said something of that when |
saw you before to-day, and YOU told
me the eXtravagant tale about the
Count Donati."
The Count Donati my father
cried Francesca. what of him.?
IL will tell you another time, dear
est" said Claudio hastily; for the sub
iect of the supposed utter ruin of her
faIhar was a delicate one.
What told you of the Count Do
ma, was true as gospel. Ere to-mor-
rows sun goes down, my words will
have been proved.
"Confound this fellow" muttered
Claudio TO himself; "he seems conf
dent Can it be that there are grounds
for what he AYERS? What reason can
he have for deceiying me? will
qnPlic, =. !. -, IL Nov. - peak PLAINLY
and say what YOU have 10 say.
What | have to say is said il
few words. have already told thi'
lady that she is in great danger; tina
one who is to be dreaded purposes K
|
rible power of gold will succeed if no
guarded against.
''Who is this terrible person.
"Rudiga, the sorceress and money
lender-the Jewess, or Woman il
Red?"
"The Woman in Red! Power o
gold Why. she barely earns a liveli
hood by telling fools their fortunes.
Believe it not Count Claudio; tn
Jewess is enormously rich. She offer
ed me and some friends of mine fiv
thousand ducatS to carry off this lady,
"And you refused?'
Hector Fiaramonte is man O
honor; you did me a service. and ar
: Interested in this lady. Boundles
wealth shall no tempt me To injur
YOU, nor shall the drest tortures
Hector Fiaramonte is one who neve
forgives an injury or forgets bene
r fit.
, son my soul, said Count Claudio
e Il believe YOU are an honest fellow
Here is my hand.
Z The bravo took il.
"Now you speak like Count Claudio
my sword is yours
, AT this moment small clock chlm
, ed the midnight hour
"Oh. Claudio. It's midnight; wher
can my mother be. y
= The Countess Donati was see
some hours ago in the vicinity of Tn
house of Rudiga the Jewess."
"Ila! that woman again. Can it b
| that she has sought her out?' Thi
fellow says she is wealthy; pei
= chance. if there is truth in his tale, TN
D Countess has gone TO borrow a sum {
money. Something may have befalle
., her. Francesca, dearest | will leav
4 you. | will search all Genoa till | fin
: your mother Ad.cu!
Count, may | accompany you
Y The streets of Genoa are infested b
lawlcss characters 10y night.
T. yes my good fellow; | believe 20
are honest; and strong arm and goo
sword are not to be despised.
Claudio is'ed Fraucesca's hanC
@ Hector taramontc made a deep ODE
sauce. and then both hurried away
leaving the young girl again alone,
i "A strange forbading of evil is o
my soul. she murmured. ell
4 strange words of that man have file
me with alarm. The Woman in Re
I saws that | not the daughter of th
Countess Donati Can it be truoP'
fro BE Continued
---------sa~. ~r~---
/ About Widows.