Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-07-10

I y
been little too merry; can't see quite
plain. What does your ladyship re-
quire?"
II wish your assistance TO regain
my palace. have just made my es-
cape from house where was torcibly
detained.
Certainly. your ladyship. / know
the way. though the streets do twist
and twist about so. This way. your
ladyship. Lean on me, your ladyshipj
you seem i'll and weary
So saving. the bird-catchcr offered
his arm To the Countess with the ut
most Difference and politeness.
But at this moment another woman
turned the corner of the street. and re
manned transfXcd with establishment
as she saw Matteo and the lady. They
did not see her; but she quickly made
her presence apparent. Planting her
self right in front of the pair
"Mattco Twitti?'
His establishment was great, and
also evidently mingled with dismay.
"Qute right.
"My husband"
Right again. he replied, with an
attempt at Il lcer.
And with female"
Right again my dear
Don't dear me, You reprobate.
drinking and carousing your earnings
nway, and then wandering about the
streets with a woman not your wife.
All, my lady. YOU may we'll veil your
face; you may well be ashamed"
Hush, Hushr' said Matteo, endeA7-
oring to stop her. BE silent, do. YOU
! don't know who this Is.
Il won't be silent and | don't want
to know who it is. She ought to be
ashamed of herself the
"Hush, il is the Countess Donati.
And at the same moment the yelled
! lady uncovered her face Ten thou
sand pardons, madam, did not know
did not think it possible that lady
of quality could be in the streets Of
Genoa unattended at this hour
Enough. | ann returning from a
house where have been detained
against my will; and not being ac-
! quainted with this part of the town,
! had lost my way. ! asked this per-
son-your husband-to direct me to
the Palace Donati. "
surely. surely, your ladyship; we
will both 60 with you.
Thanks You shall be well re-
warded for your trouble. Lead on:
1 wish to be at home My daughter
will be anxious.
Matteo and his wife at once led the
way, and they soon emerged on one of
| the large squares of Genoa.
Nov know my way; for there is
the palace Donati. will trouble you
no further.
Your ladyship had better let us see
you TO the gate. 1t is past midnight
and dangerous characters frequent the
streets AT this hour
At this moment two other persons
approached.
Count Claudio!' cried the lady,
as she recognized one of the new
corners.
All Countess! we have been search
ing for YOU. Poor Francesca is dread
fully alarmed at your absence
Il feared 20. and was hurrying
home. Good people. thank you, y
she said, turning TO the bird-catcher
further aid. Come tomorrow to the
| palace anu YOU ~IlUll lffflNt lublt Sub-
Stantial acknowledgment"
"Oh Count Claudio she said turn
ing to the young man. Il have been
so terribly ill-trcated.
"Ill-treated. Who has dared--g'
Il will tell YOU. This evening |
went out and sought the house of Ru-
olga. the Woman in Red, As she is
called"
"The Woman in Red-the Jewess
the supposed sorcereSs the fortune
teller and and moncy-lendcrN'
Claudio remembering the words OF
Hector Fiaramonte, closely watched
the countenance of Francesca mother.
A deep flush mounted from neck to
brow at the word money-lcnder, and
the young man at once drew his own
conclusions.
There was then truth in what this
fellow told me-" he thought to him
self; "and the Countess sought the
house of the Jewess in order to Dor
row money"
For what purpose did you seek the
Jewess. CountesS?' he asked.
IL wished to have my fortune told,
she replied, casting down her eyes il
confusion.
ITO have your fortune told. Coun
tess! that is indeed strange. One
would have thought that the future o
the Countess Donati was already a.
surcd that surrounded by wealth ant
luxury. blessed with noble husband
and with such daughter as Fran
cesca, she might have rested conten
with the happy present without seem
ing TO pry into the unknown future"
These word, filled the countess will
confusion. especially the mention o
Francesca; for she remembered the ter
riblc and emphatic words OF the Wo
man in Red:
Your daughter is not your daugh
ter.
However she regained her self-com
mand and went on:
"No matter, Count Claudio; let
suffice that did seek the abode o
! this terrible woman. Before | ha'
been there long. she commenced mos
Q extravagant TRADE, and made the mos
! unfoundcd assertions. Finally III
p burst from the room, and locked I'M
{ in so securely as apparently to defy ..
: cape. Fortunately. however, | sue
p ceedcd in making my escape throug
one of the windows. and. endeavorin
q 10 find my way home. missed the road
/ and might have wandered about "a
night had not met those good peopl
!. with whom you saw me.
The Woman i'm Red went out bcfor