Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-10-23
Francesca. my dear. nv darling

Unseen by any of the three the door
of the apartment silently opened, and
another stood on the threshold.
| Habited in dress OF dark Venetian
velvet. profusely embroidered and
adorned with Jewels rare and costly,
the Princess Esmeralda-o therw Sc l,u-
Olga. the Woman in Red-beheld the
stolen interview between her daughter
and her husband and foster-mother.
"She calls her mother" muttered
Esmeralda to herself-"she calls her
mother still. Vain are all my efforts
utterly. entirely vain. cannot
I crush out the deep love, the growth OF
infancy, which burns in her breast. |
cannot root out the memories OF her
childhood, or compel her truant adec'
tons back to myself. 1t would seem
that all recol on me and on her inno-
cent head; for the poor ch Id is very
unhappy.
Claudio now addressed his wife:
"FranC esca. have you no word for
mee Do YOU not ask my pardon for
/ your cruel desert on?'
| She instantly fell on her knees
and clasped h IN with her hands.
Your pardon. dear Claudio-my
only love- my husband. l beseech
your pardon. | was compelled to act
rs did: had no choice"
"Compelled?'
''Yes. by an oath.
"Perdtion seize your OATH he cried
angrly; twas not binding in the
sight of either God or man.
She ghed deeply, but made no re-
/ ply. She could not argue with him.
Francesca. he continued, speak
! ing quickly and mpetuously, II have
not sought YOU here without an object.
! | have come to claim my wife. You
/ are miserable. see it by your wan
face and fearful eyes. Come, fly with
me TO happiness and love. Come. my
/ gondola awaits YOU. have horses
and carriage also ready. Before to-
morrow's sun rises we can be leagues
away from this living tomb. Come,
my love, my lfe-mv wife,
Francesca breath came in quick
gasps, and her heart beat tumultuous.
". For time conflict prevailed in
! her mind.
She arose from her knees, and clasp
ing her hands, gazed piteously, tear
fully upon her husband.
"Claud o, she said. in accents of in
effable tenderness, ''it cannot be.
have a duty TO perform to my mother,
now known as the Princess Esmeralda.
During my early years she was robbed
of me, her daughter. and it well nigh
broke her heart. 1t shall be my task
to soothe her decl lining years, and en-
deavor 10 provide for her that happi-
ness / can never taste myself. | w II
never leave her; nor, without her per-
m ssion can | again return TO you, my
husband. God knows how it wrings
my heart to tell you so. | will pray
to heaven for happier days, Claud o
-husband--ad eu.'
80 you b me 90, Francesca-me
your husband Good; let il be as you
W sh. obey. AID Gu forever.
He was about to hand the Countess
Donati back into the gondola. and fol-
low himself, when a voice caused
him TO stop and turn in astonish
ment.
Hold. young man
Then there advanced into the cen
tire of the room the Prin 'es; Esmer
aida. or the Woman in Red
She was pale and careworn; but her
ewes cleaned with a strange fire.
Tears coursed down her cheeks and
her frame shook with emot on.
81 have heard ALL she said in ac-
cents which her greatest efforts could
not render firm. al have heard that
gentle angels self denial and self
sacrifice. Surely such devotion de-
serves some reward.
She was silent. unable to speak for
emotion Presently she went on:
Naomi, beloved and dutiful daugh-
ter. have heard you say that never
will you consent to leave me without
my permission. Can |. ought |, dare
! |, longer W thhold -?"
Her voice rose. and her figure
seemed to grow taller and more com
manding as she spoke.
NO, Naomi, YOU have conquered;
you have vanquished my pride, my re-
sentiment | withdraw my refusal
Naomi, my daughter, behold your
husband. BE happy in each other 5
love"
With wild cry of delight. Naomi
rushed forward and clasped Claudio in
her arms.
Claudio. Claudio, God has heard
my PRAYER. Look on me, your wife
look in my eyes; kiss me. darling. Oh.
this is happiness. indeed
They remained thus for n few mo-
ments, when Naomi gently disengaged
| herself. and, taking him by the hand.
! led him up TO the Woman in Red
She fell on her knees before her,
and caused him to do so likewise
Mother, your blessing to complete
our happiness. y
My Oh id, may you be happy, as
you deserve! A new life opens before
me A light breaks in upon
me. know now that | have been in
error. and to win my daughter love
! need not begrudge that which she
bears to her husband, and TO the lady
by whom she was reared. Countess
Donati. remain with us and permit me
to share that love with YOU which
neither time, adversely, nor all nv eff
forts could eflace from my daughters
heart.
And now. having witnessed this hap
py reconciliation. we Will let fall the
curtain, wishing long life of happi-
ness, in her daughter love and graft
tude, to RUDIGA, THE WOMAN IN RED.
THE END.
The Newfoundland seal fishery has
been uncommonly successful this sea-
SON and many staamers bava raturnpd