Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-08-07

be RodOlpho, who threatened - :"
Count Donati tossed heavily mo-, a."
pillow, aud would have Screamed 8,
aid, but he had not the power ~
tongue refused to articulate the now,
OF the magician was upon him
The rays Of the clear young moon
illuminated his chamber, and, after al
iitful struggle, the old Italian turned
upon his side and his thoughts quick.
" lew again 10 his dwelling near
Genoa. lie struggled TO forget what~
he had just passed through; he essayed
20 blot from his brain the effects of his
dream, still unfinished and with a de-
termined effort he sprang from his pill
low. to encounter, instead of the IDEAL,
the reality Rodolpho stood beside his
couch.
'Ayaunt"' shouted the Count Wild
ly, not knowing certainly if he were
actually asleep or awake; but the palm
OF the sinewy RodOlpho was quickly
placed upon the Counts mouth, and
silence as quickly succeeded the Ital.
ian mobiles exclamation.
Hist, Bernardo" said the robber,
softly.
"Donati, said the Italian.
II know you only as Bernardo"
continued the powerful man at his
bedside; and charge you to be silent
If You value your life.
lin the name of all the saints"
muttered the Count Donati. as he shiv-
cred with fright and excitement, chow
came you here and when?'
1T matters not: suffice it that | am
here, and that am needy
Ill IL
Stop there, said Rodolpho coldly,
"and listen first 10 what | have TO
offer And with these words the rob
Der poised glistcning pistol in hi,
right hand, and then released his hold
upon rs old compau on person.
when we parted company, now
two years ago continued the robber
in low but firm voice, You will no,
have forgotten who took from the
wealth OF our little clan the lions
share Of the spols we had accumula-
ted. y
We VINO aided To-"
Hist. Bernardo, aud listen, for my
visit hither must be brief say, you
cannot have forgotten who awarded
himself the lion, portion, and retired
from the profession AZ the time You
will also remem Der he few brief words
that passed on that occasion, between
the leader and his lieutenant. who
had brought about the resignation of
the first parsonage at that individuals
own request; and the promise the vol
untary promise which was then prof
fered by the retiring captain These
two items must still he fresh in your
memory. | think, though two long
years have now passed since the occur
renee.
Il remember no prom"
You are liar. Bernardo. and, but
that had the means ready at my call
even from that very window yonder.
through which found my way to your
bedside-to compel you TO disgorge, /
would be avenged on YOU here-upon
this spot-for your denial of my words
and your base ingrattude,
You take me thus at disadvant-
age
disadvantage! Bah! do you think
: would act otherwise under the cir
cumStances OF the case? Bernardo,
you know whether Count Claudio is
lar or a coward. or an migrate. We
have stood side by side, shoulder to
shoulder in many rough skirmish in
days long passed by. And ! say, you
know whether am usually successful
in my undertakings. -
''G o-what must do?'
when We thus parted, Bernardo,
the Jewels. plate and gold you bore
away were ample TO furnish means to
support you munilicently for life. You
then said. 'ROdolpho. count on me ev-
er. | will be your friend. You have 1
been as true as steel, and but for YOU
] should not have been able TO tear
myself from the men and this course
of life. of which | am heartily sick.
Take my place. 1t is a hazardous
one; but You are equal to il. When
ever you need my aid, do not hesitate
to command me to the uttermOst of
the means which You have so bravely
helped 10 place in my hands. Such
were your words. Bernardo. Am
right or wrong?' he asked. at the
same time Springing back the lock OF
the pistol, the click of which did not
sound very musical at midnight in the
ears of the once reckless and bold.
but just now, excited and alarmed
Italian.
"A promise then made began
Count Donati
Am | right or wrong?" insisted
Count Claudio, interrupting him and
pointing the weapon straight into his
eve.
Hold said the Count, land hea
me one moment
II have no time or inclination la
my worst eNtrem ~. when upon tina
very verge of starvation apparently.
with our band routed and our means
OF supply cut of, | sent TO YOU for
loan a simple loan-to aid mo in ut
ter necesSit.. and not till then; and yow
abuse my messenger. and falsify your
own prom So, Now. migrate taat YOU
are. show me your strong box. Point
to your boarded gold, that may help
myself "a, will. or. by ST. Paul your
life is not worth a rush y
beware exclaimed the Count.
wildly.
II am in earnest continued the
robber, land ! VIII tell YOU again, nv
plan j. laid with cautions The snarl-
me hounds that velped at our APP
proach here, g with their throats cut
at yodr portal. Your house is sur
rounded at every point with my fol-
lowers You shall not escape. Up.
then, and redeem your prom Sc. or
take the consequences of your refusal.
Your m m ~, shall h. nj