Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-10-16
CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE COUNTESS DONATE VISITS FRAN
CESCA.

CESCA.
When Count Claudio went out, burn
inc with rage and wounded pride he
| did not stop to consider the consc-
! quenceS. Francesca, his wife. had
avowed her determination TO obey the
commands of the Jcwess. and, at her
bidding, separate herself from him.
This was enough. He stayed not to
reason or think, but, hot-headcd as
ever, and reckless of everything, sought
his own ruin.
Meanwhile Francesca and her moth
or were left alone together. 1t need
scarcely be said that the Jewcss. with
but one object in view, improved the
opportunity to increase her power over
the Young wife.
Francesca, ever yielding and dutiful
did not attempt TO dispute the point
with her, but consented TO fulfill her
vow, and accompany her whenever she
should choose to demand her.
Having received promise from her
daughter to be in readiness in two
1 hours time, the Princess Esmeralda
took her leave.
Francesca was again alone. She had
| dismissed her waiting maids. prefer
r-ng TO remain the short time yet left
before she should leave her home for
ever. alone with her thoughts Where
was Claud o? She longcd TO see him,
and bid HIM farewell Bu;, alas, he
had left her in her extremity. and she
would have TO bid adieu to him only in
| thought.
The lamps of the luXuriant saloon
burned dimly a, the hours passed. and
still the mistress of that palatial resi-
dence lay on a couch her face hid in
her hands, weeping bitterly.
The loud Changing of "A bell aroused
/ her from her ,OrrOWful lothaTgy. She
started to her feet, and. Just looking
at the ieweied watch she carried, lis
/ tened.
1t wanted vet an hour of the time
when the Woman n Red should return.
Could il be that she had come earlier
than she said? While She thus debated
with herself one of the waitng-women
hurried in, and informed her that a
lady, who refused to give her name,
demanded immcd ate audience of her.
"My God! what new trouble?' muir
INJURED poor Francesca. who can
matter, | will see her"
She seated herself to receive the
stranger little thinking who il was
Francesca, my sweet love, YOU have
not forgotten me?h
With a cry of aStonishment she
started up, and. running to the speak
or, was the next moment clasped in the
arms of her whom she had till the
Jewess put in her claim, considered in
| the light of "A parent.
When the first excitement of the
meeting had passed over. Francesca
and her foster mother proceeded to re-
late to each other all that had hap
pened since they parted.
why, oh. why have You left me so
long, o my motherP' cried Francesca.
you know not what misery, what
perils. what hardships | have endured
since left Genoa, with you, more than
three years back,
you ask me, Francesca. why have
kept aloof from YOU. Alas! you know
not all For your sake. for the sake of
the Count Donati. who has now gone
TO his last account, | dared not see you
dared not even communicate with
lOu. ttlS dHO utN DlNtN duh N'H'u
that terrible woman. your mother; now
fear her, and with reason. At any time
up TO the day of his disastrous death,
the Woman in Red could have brought
the Count Donati to felon S doom and
though he is not your father, Fran
cesca, yet he is my husband. Great
as is my love for you, my daughter,
cannot forget my marriage-vow. De-
spite the wicked lawless life of my
husband my heart still yearned for
him; and knowing, as ! did, that this
terrible woman held his fate in her
hand, dared not refuse TO obey her y
Dared notP'
mo. dared not You do not know
all, Francesca. Listen. and will tell
you: More than three years ago, your
mother q hate TO say the word, and
yet must) wrung from me the con-
fession that you were not my daugh-
ter, and proved her own right. of
which, alas. was convinced before.
She consented TO waive her claim on
you for three years; but that very
night the Count my husband returned,
and completed in n gaming-house the
ruin of his fortunes. Then, as doubt
/ less you know. he took TO the noun
tains with your graceless husband,