Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-09-11
THE WOMAN In RED.
A Thrilling Italian Story of the
Last Century.
By GEORGE w. NJ. REYOLSps.
CHAPTER XXVI.

IL have the honor Of meet ny with
the Count Autiennc," he said. draw
ing up chair, and sitting down 90 as
To confront the former.
"Such is my address here" replied
the Count.
You appear ut ease, good Count;
and YOU sleep well at nlght l dare
sayP'
'What may be your business with
me Signor?' asked tho Count imme-
diately. and i'm rather tart tone. "lf
YOU have aught to comlGun cate worth
the hearing, ! am here ID listen toyou,
if not, leave me to my leisure, for the
hour is late"
What have to say, Count, may or
may not he worth the hearing; of that
you shall be Judge.
"Will you proceed?'
al VII good Count; and first viii
say that you are lately arrived in Ma
Piles.
well. and what of that?"
Nothing, Count. You came hither
direct from the north of Italy
Ibid IP'
II say you came hither direct from
the north of Italy"
perhaps not.
well, so | understand the fact; AMI
] am curious To obtain some informa-
ton from YOU, if you will humOr me.
"Go on, then" replied the Count,
with patronizing air.
al am an old man, as YOU see,
Count, and you will pardon me. But
strange story has gust reached me,
touching the fate of an old and valued
friend of mine, who dwelt near Genoa;
and you may have heard the details of
the accident, which will relate To YOU
as it comes to me. He had resided in
the vicinity of Genoa for some time,
and was beloved by all who made his
acquaintance. Few knew from whence
he came, when he first arrived there;
but he had made Il handsome fortune
abroad previously. and, after a long
life of peril, he retired To enjoy his
means. He was liberal, and proved
good neighhOr. and time passed hap
PLY in his quiet household | grieve
TO learn that a terrible mishap has
lately bcfallcn him; and. as You came
recently from that quarter. rs | hear,
YOU may have learned particulars in re-
gard to his fate. His name was Count
Donati.
Il have heard that name.
GAS was saying, then. in the midst
of his enjoyment OF what he toilcd for
n murderous band of mountain-ro
bers attacked his dwelling but few
months since, and having robbed his
house OF everything it contained of
value. they fired the buildings, and cs-
4 1. . (.
defended his property, of course. to
the best of his ability; but he was
ovcrpowcrcd with numbers. and he fell
at last, covered with wounds. This
RAID of robbers was led on 10y one
Rodolpho, villain and an migrate.
This sCoundrel had contrived to cheat
the Count out of large sum of gold
but a short time previously. But he
was not content with this. II was in
sufficient that he should murder Rer-
nardo. and leave his lfelesS body to be
consumed amid the ruins he had caus-
cd; but ben ath those walls, content
cd, happy. hopeful in Bernardo's love,
dwelt beautiful flower, Just budding
INTO womanhood graceful, JOYOUS.
y.r,uous malden-upon whom this des-
perado set {, mark. In the midst of
the dire ruin and confusion of that
dreadful night. the villain stole that
maiden-and escaped. So runs the
tale. Tell me, good Count, have you
not heard OF this?'
YES, responded the Count, IL
heard of this but do yoS know no fur
Their detailS?"
mo, no. / near that you are now
from Genoa. and recently; and ] feel
certain that you would tell me if this
sad account were true.
And YOU arc now inclined to know
the rcSt?'
Yes, Sir Count: pray you let me
know all the details.
There is another phase in this sad
drama. Signor; and, since have so
attcnti,ely and silently listened to
your story. do me the favor to hear
the rest, rs it came 10 me.
II am all attention Count.
This Same Donati, although he
may have been your friend. was Il con.
summate knave, an migrate. a liar, and
n robbcr once II mSClf. Such the
character that | have heard IF this
Bernardo; and when | lett Genoa.
few weeks ago, heard the details
which l Will now repeat to you. You
have spoken of one l'odolpho. This
very man had ADDED Bernardo into the
position hehcld and through his ex-
ertions, ut apcriod prior to Count Do
nati's res dcncc ut Genoa, he had
helped HIM largely TO the means he
now possessed. This same Rodolpho.
some two years afterwsrd, found him
self in comparative adversely, and
called upol Bernardo to redeem vol
untary promise he had formerly made
him, wlom he was pleased to call his
friend in prosper Gus III SS Count Do
natl received him with apparent wei
come and agreed TO nc eommOdatc him
in his pccuniary emergency. Rodol
pho became his temporary guest. and
Bernardo. diiG" lonati. rcpcntcd of his
offer. Forgetting all that he owed his
former friend. unmindful of the obl.-
CATION which nc had voluntarily as
sumcd, reckless of the consequences
which might attend his villainy. and,
more than all. regarding his ill.gottcn
money of more value than his h hon
or-hc stole TO the .slecping-room of
his former friend and there basely at
tempted to ASSES nate him. But,
luckily. Rodolpho was not there alone.
He had known Bernardo FOR some time
and he knew him for n trcacherous
villain; nc was prepared for violence
and was ready. tnragcd 1T the trcach-
cry to which he had so nearly fallen n
victim, Rodolpho called for tic ad
which was go npar nj hand and ihpn