Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-08-28

sacking OF Count DonatfS dwelling.
After hasty repast, Rodolpho pro-
! posed To Naomi 10 keep on. He deem
ed IT unsafe to tarry i'm so small place,
and limited that he had friends beyond
to whose care he could consi On his
lovely charge; while in person lac pro
! posed To return to the villa, and learn
the details of the attack, and the fate
OF her guardian. The proposal was
accepted, and an hour subsequently,
Naomi found herself comfortably dom
iciliated at the dwelling OF one Sonora
Maidennez, described by Rodolpho as
relative of his, to whose favor. for
the time being, he commended Fran
cesca; while he returned. rs he said.
once more To the scene of his la 4
night adventures.
AT night-fall Rodolpho returned
TO Naomi with the informal on
that she had feared to hear. Ac.
cording to the last accounts he could
obtain of the melancholy facts. the
mansion had been totally DESTROYED:
no vestige OF anything of value could
De found; and it was believed that the
remains of the unfortunate Count Do
natl were buried in the ruins. no trace
oil nm having been seen after he fell
in the hall of the house The wound
OF Count Claudio did not prove so ,e
rious As was at first feared il mioat
be; and when he had given NAOMI all
the information he had gathered. he
appealed To her TO know what course
she would pursue under the painful
circumstances in which she had been
50 suddenly involved
Poor Naomi! She had no choice.
She knew not whittier to turn her
step>. Her guardian. Count Douati.
had been snatched away from her
without a moment warning his prop
ertv had been stolen or DESTROYED and
her relstienG were either dead or
were now become comparative -tran-
gers 10 her, and AT best were in a far
distant laid. She had no word, TO an
Nwer the qnSry If hcr lover. whittier
she would 20 With ready tact Ro-
doiphO Observed her cmbarraS ,mcnt
and Nyailed hiMsel, at once of the cir
cum>tancc.
viii all the ctoquSnce and earnest
ness Of the fervtnt lover. he pleaded
his own cause Aefote the idol of hi,
heart. and he b.,. Chit Naomi TO RELY
upon him in her I'ightful dilemma.
lie cid not fail t. Icturc to her the
perilS sh! must neccS- arily be sur
rounded With: q ri at the same tim.
ne Offered to be ne her friend. her
guardian. her itJtector, CONSTANTLY
rom that hour, Itp told her of hi,
burning love To- he. he swore eternal .
ieYotIo. TO hes. GGd Solemnly offered /.
Ms hahd wifi tbe heart that adorcd .
ler
The fair young being at whose feet
le knelt had no disposition to argue 4
he point but she felt that they were .
I'll strangers. Their acquaintance
vas, in fact, but very recent. and she
ould not bring herself To acceie To
lis wishes on the instant. Neycrthe-
es>. ,he responded kindly and crate
ully 70 his friendly words. and a,sur.
d HIM that he deserved all he pleaded
or. ~ least She would conlidc in him
or the time being
Count Claudo was content with this
onceSS on; and he set him self To work
orthwth to complete his present
cheme, aud con~ummate his aim 10
ut, his carly IN on in marriage with
ne fair creature whose charms had 30
and bewildcrcd him from the
rst moment he had met her.
AT the expiration of three iays
hereafter. Francesca consented To cult
ally m company with Count Claudio.
no had constantly he IN In attendance
pom her. and who had boon ,outinu-
usly urgent in his importuu.tjc, that
ne should leave the scene oi her pres
ut troubles. If only for season, and
.Sit Sicily with him. which he claimed
5 his birth place and hi, home The
)yclty OF the proposed tour 20 pleased
Pr, that at length he consented to
in him: and Rodolpho absentee him.
If for four-and-twenty hours. To com
etc the arrangements for their Jour
".
Al the mouth of the river there Law
small brlgantine at this time. a pref
and wrll-appointed craft. evidently
readiness TO put to sea at very
'lef notice. The wind was blowing
esh from the northward: and toward !
en- ng stranger. in the garb of an {
binary peasant. emerged from the !
rest go some Il stance above the spot Z
here the vessel lay quietly at anchor y
lie was plainly in search of the brig i
tine. and approaching the spot {
lcrc She lay. he drew from his breast f
mall. blue flag. or strip of bunting. a
lich he waved over his head once or d
CO without speaking, a signal which T.
seemed TO understand. was made 4
board the vessel at once and soon =
.erward boat reached the shore. 1
ON the stern-Sheets a stout ,ounr {,
IN sprang upon a little knoll near d
. and in ha,ty manner the >tran- "
r commun Gated to the sailor his ii
ans, S.
u comprehend, said the former. o
BE ready. then, said the ,tran- d
r, 1--WE shall be here at evening to- {;
PROV a
Incy separates the boat returned o
the br z and Count Claud o-for he II
10 the forest once more. 81
united his horse and rode back N m
speed to tho temporary hating 10
CO. where he had left Francp.ca W
aiting him.
II little time the requisite arrange
ntN for the Journey were complctcd NJ
| on the following night Rodolpho W
ided the beautiful Francesca up the OF
AWAY of the FoIroH le
TO BIZ CONTINUED. h'
lt
Ancient Playing Cards. w
ONE little time ago gentleman ~ ~