Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-08-14
r. He loaded her with

not his daughter. lie loaded her with
costly iewelry and fine clothes. and at
last took her from her more intimate
friends upon tour. n he averred. of
Europe. Flattered by kind words,
tempted by hi, show of wealth, aud
DESTROYS of making such a Journey
withal. she consented 10 join him.
without the slightest suspicious as TO
his ultimate plans or object regarding
his own destination or her veal.
They accomplished their journey at
last, and at the expiration of six
months the young girl found herself
domiciliated at the beautiful villa of
Count Donati-her guardians perma-
nent residence-at Genoa. She was
surrounded with luxury in her new
home. and soon came to be contented
with the change. AT the time we meet
her, subsequently, At the dwelling of
the Old Count. she was upward of
twenty years of age.
To return for moment to the fort
unes of Count Claudio. AS We have
said, during this period of two years
he had at last met with reverses; and
finding his former captain and friend,
he resolved to try his generosity. and
put his promise to a test.
Rodolpho had been Bernardo's favor
lite pupil. OF all the men he had ever
met, the former chief often declared
that no one ever equalled the young
lieutenant in cunning, tact and genu-
inc diplomacy. He was Sparcly built,
but his frame was seemingly made up
of sinews. His muscular strength was
very extraordinary; his perception was
exceedingly acute; his address very
pleasing; his readiness ut every spec as
of deception astonishing; and his pow
er of impersonating the conduct and
character and bearing of other people
was almost unaccountable. In his dis
guises he was inimitable: and for ready
tact in emergency. Bernardo had new
er found the man who could approach
him. With his history. prior to join
ing the band in the mountains, the
reader is already acquainted; but no
one could ever elicit any particulars OF
his past life.
Such, then, was the man whom the
former chief of the robber' had now 10
deal with, after a separation from him
and his associations for nearly two
years.
Count Donati was always an a,ari-
cious and selfish man. Within the
last two wears, since his gains had
been converted into sol d coin and tan
gible securities, he had grown more
avaricious, more selfish. more close
listed than ever. He lived for his own
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and his own
comfort, and at this time was a man
of great worldly wealth for his invest
ments had turned out immensely prof
liable. and his current expenses had
constantly been kept within very mod
crate bounds. The purpose of his
heart was 10 Vcd hiS r1rd. whom peo-
pie once supposed to be his daughter.
the beautiful Naomi, herself; and TO
that purpose all his cunning and ener-
gies mad long been Il irectcd
At the most inoppor.une of all mo-
! ments for his interest and designs, the
messenger of Count CLAUDIO waited
upon him for pecuniary aid. His re-
fusal to arknow ledge the claim OF his
old associate had brought Rodolpho
himself to his very bedside. He had.
perfo-ce. paid the young robber cap
tain ten thousand ducat1 in bright vel
low gold and his demand was but now
half satisfied.
The morning of the third day sue
ceeding the terrible midn ght interv ew
between him and Rodolpho now had
arrived: and a. vet. Count Donati had
come to no conclusion rs TO what he
should do when called upon for the re-
mainder of his former companion :
claim.
The hours passed rapidly by, and
evening was approaching ut last; but
the messenger of Count Claudio had
not yet made his appearance.