Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-09-18
THE WOMAN In RED.
A Thrilling italian Story of the
Last Century.
BY GEORGE W. NJ. REYOLNDs.
CHAPTER NXVIII.

THE BEGGAR OF THE HOTEL ST. MARC.
For several days prior TO the scene,
wehaye just now related there Ia
been seen daily among the hz<drOH
that loitered near the terrace of the
hotel where Rodolpho had tarried. "A
professional beggar. who had attract
ed his especial attention. from his PEE
cul arity of costume. and the pecu
lar ar OF presumption which chara 70
terized his cont nual alms-st eking.
Rodolpho had not escaped this in
vetcrate beggar's appeals; and more
than once, when he halted To contrib
ute hls mite TO the fellows demands,
did lac sean his countenance. and aim
to read his character in his face. The
beggar suspected nothing, however
and Rodolpho moved away. with the
conviction that something, perhaps,
might be made Of this forb dding men
dicant at some time or other
'.Do YOU not remember Pierre" he
asked. turning to his lieutenant, sud
denly. 1.-The person of the miserable
beggar we have so often met at the
foot of the terrace. near our late lodg
ing-him with the slouched hat and
SCARED eyeP'
Very dist nelly, Captain"
Il am glad of that.
"Ile was cunning rogue, think"
You are right. would use him. "
That may be cas- IL done. CAPITA II.
His size and figure are not unlike your
own"
sol b, lieve. Come join me at
once. ! will return to Naples
To Naples, Captain
Yes: ! must have the suit of clothes
that fellow wears. You shall know
particulars as we 90 along"
Il see Captain
Perhaps you don't though. But
h" stem; we have no leisure for eX-
plantations now.
The two men were very shortly in
the saddle, and but short tine pass
eli ere they arrived as near the vicinity
of the hotel as they dared To approach
Here they alighted and held a short
conference. the result Of which will be
made To appear a we proceed. They
separated finally, and before noon the
plan pior osed by RodolphO had been
succ ssfully commenced.
Toward evening the residents at the
hotel sauntered forth 10 IN oy the cool
brceZes which were waited from the
wa'ers, and the idzzdrOni were abroad
a usual. with open palms and piteous
stor es. Among them appeared the
noted begger we have alluded to, who
louugcd, "a was his wont, al the foot
of the outer tarrace.
There came along an oldiSh man.
well dressed and firm in his gate; Lut
one who had evidently been i'll of late.
AL ., al lttt al. ,.,l a
did not like the annoyance occasioned
by the frequent applications of the
street-loungers.
Give, Signor; give the poor Grip
pie. an 1t please you; the smallest
pittancc will be grateful. sand tie one
eyed beggar, imploringly
1t was Count Donati whom he thus
accosted. and who felt generous at
at this moment; for lie had secured
the person of his charming ward and
Rodolpho, his enemy, had fled from
Naples. He was at that moment on
his way to Francesca. who had been
secreted at tho mansion OF an acquain-
ance since her abduction. and he felt
that he had the field 10 himself Toss
ing the largest silver coin he had in
his pocket TO the beggar, he said:
you are a lazy, one eyed rascal;
but | am in luck TODAY. Take it and
do not annoy me further and Count
Donati passed rapidly on toward the
dwelling where Francesca was tempo
rarily domiciled.
lone eyed. muttered the beggar to
himself; "yet, with that same one eye,
some there are who could see more
than many others with two; and as
the Count FASTENED along. the rough
beggar disappeared at once from the
foot of the terrace.
Count Donati moved with hurried
footsteps; but AT a distance there fol
low ed on his track two forms that he
little fancied were 20 near him. He
turned and passed to the left. down
long avenue and then crossed again
to the right As the evening shut in,
he halted before a modest appearing
dwelling. mounted the steps. opened
the door without ceremony. and en-
tered the house.
The blinds were closed. and though
one of those that followed him APP
preached the window stealthly, he
could see nothing, and for time the
evening silence was unbruken. At
last voices could be heard and loud
words were spoken; and now the con
yersation became more animated. and
the begger beneath the window. the
same to whom Count Donati had Civ
en- the piece of money, caught every
syllable of the exciting conference.
81 tell YOU, Francesca, continued
the old man, in severe tone, that
you cannot act for yourself in this
fearful matter. and YOU must be adj
viscd; the laws of Naples will protect
me in my guardianship, and you must
submit to my authority. However you
may will it, | will never consent that
YOU see this villain agan.
"Signor. he is my husband!
"Pshaw! Out upon the vile wretch
who has so deceived YOU. Fly from
him. forget him, and be saved while
you may; or. If YOU viii be obdurate.
/ shall interpose my authority, and
compel you to return with me Nay,
do not appeal to my better nature. Fran
cesca; my purpose is fixed, We leave
Nipples tomorrow. | counsel you,
then. accept with becoming grace what
you have not the power 10 prevent.
Much more than this was heard by
the beggar beneath the window. who
still crouched and listened attentively
till the interview was over. He heard
the lad appeal TO the old man in pit
eous tones to spare her, to allow her
but one moments interview with her