Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-05-28

Marsden clasred her hands. "You must
come to me some time. You only.
came a little sooner than | had dared to
hope.n
Lucia began to cry. "You are the only
person in the world who loves me. My
father shut me up in the convent to mako
me a nun. could not-would not"
Marsden started up. There was no time
for %dallying., In fifteen minutes the whole
heard the banging of doors md the turn.
ing of locks as the sisters began to make
fast for the night.
"Lucia," he said. hurriedly, "you will
ave to trust me. Had we time, we might
ny together to Florence, but as it is, my
20 me as concerned in your flight. Will
you go without mo to the house of AN
American family in Florence? The night
train passes through here in a few min
ates. l can put you on it, telegraph to my
s NE of t mere TO meet you one station out.
the station here, and as 1 will buy your
ticket to Florence. they might telegraph to
nave You Intercepted there. Do YOU un-
d~erstand!"
"9es," said Lucia, with bright, intelli-
gent eyes. "And, signore, 1 do trust you.
L have a cousin in Florence" she added.
Marsden was hastily taking some money
Ne - 80 ACC dS Sue SDOkeSt ll SelZlnN
her by the hand, heled her down the stairs,
out INTO the narrow village street. and
sped toward the little railway station. he
Gnose his way through the lonely streets.
LUCIA had on her head a mantle, with
whlca she concealed her features. She
Marsden's powerful stride. As they
entered the dimly lighted station
they heard the train laundering in, Mars
den rushed to the booking station, bought
a whole compartment, got a .time-ta6le,,
winch ne put with some money in Lucia's
nand, ana barely had time to put her in
the carriage. He kissed her hand reyer-
emily, and promising to join her within
forty.eight hours, saw the train move out,
and the first step in the plan of escape ap-
parently, successful. He sent a long tele-
gram to his American friend in Florence,
couched in Language which the telegraph
operator could not understand. Then he
went up to the ticket agent and showed
him a.bank note.
Keep this quiet for twenty hours"
he said.
The mar grinned. "When they ask me
i will say it was q short, dark man who
was with the lady" he said.
Mars'len sped back to the Villa Estrella.
1t had all happened so quickly he .carrely
knew what he was about. AS he passed
the convent he saw lights gliMmering and
the whole place i'll all uproar. He slipped
noiselessly up the staircase, although by
mat time the Villa Estrella was beginning
to stir, and in a moment was in his accus-
toned seat on the balcony, smoking fu-
riouslv.
Naturally he began to fear the wisdom
of his hasty plan of escape, but the more
ne considered it, the more his alarm quiet
eel. Within a day or two he knew she
would be traced to Florence, but he would
yet have twenty-four hours to act. No
suspicion would attach to him. He had
mentioned purposeiy to Count Es-
excursion for a few days, and his depart
lre next day would occasion no surprise.
Once in Florence, he could get the assist
ance of the American Consul, who would
be unworthy of the Stars and Stripes if
be could not battle the Norentine po-
accident happened to Ills telegram, he had
told Lucia in their hurried walk to the
station to remain at the little Village
where she was to leave the train, where
there was q good hotel, and he would meet
her.
The noise, the searching and rushing
about, increased in the convent. Presently
Count Estre]la tramped upstairs, and
anu putting out on the balcony, without
the pretense of u knock at the drawing
room door.
"'What do you think, signor Marsden?
there has been an elopement from the
convent"
"Ah!" said Marsden, knocking the ashes
off his cigar. "One of the nuns?n
"Great heavens! no. One of the young
girls, q daughter Of Vincentio Mario,
whom ! know as l know my W
"How did she get of?n asked Marsden.
coolly.
"That is what they don't know. From
eight to nine at the convent is the study
hour. Sixnorina Mario was not u pupil:
in fact, she was kept there in confinement.
1t is a busy hour with the nuns. At nine
O'Clock she was missed. She often stole off
to the garden at that time. 1t was
searched, but no trace of her can be
found. The sisters are nearly frantic.n
mo doubt she is concealed somewhere
about the grounds" said Marsden, puff
ing away.
sit il. impossible. There is a knocking
at the door. Go you with me-"
Marsden went down with the Count. As
they unbarred the greater out door Of the
villa, which Marsden had just noiselessly
barred up, they saw the pale and anxious
faces of W. sisters. One was the good
natured stout one that Marsden had often
seen before; the other burst into tears.
"Ah, Count" she wept, "Lucia is gone
this time; she is lost, I fear. What shall
1 say to her father? But may we not.
JOuA AhoN oAo 40 u
devil, N might only be hiding to
alarm u.s."
Count Estrella at once agreed. "And
here is my friend, Signor Marsden, an
American. What do you advise us to do,
"search the village thoroughly" saidr
Marsden, promptly. ~ suppose she did
not have any money!"
"Not a penny" replied the sister.
'Tllen she could not get very far" re-
Marsden.
'Nor had she any accomplish" eagerly
put in the stout sister. II can warrant
Then it is easy" said Marsden, de-
cisively. "She is in or about the village"
AS they picked their way into the gar
den, searching with lanterns, and calling
''Lucia! Luciav' Marsden asked Count
Estrella the cause of Lucia's being virtu-
ally imprisoned in the convent.
do you not know of Signorina Marzio's
answered he, in amazement.
81 thought you had heard. Well, first,
her father is afraid to live in the
house with her. When she was fifteen
years old she pulled his beard out and beat
him with a cudgel until he was almost
Marsden could scarcely believe
his ears. He did not in the least believe
Count Estrella. His loyalty was proof
hearsay testimony. "And when