The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-09-07

me, Won faithful old granny. Our
rooms must have been entered earlier
in the evening. The window was open,
and the ladder conveniently near.
Many rough men were abroad to night,
owing to the fiesta at Calano. No, you
need not loose faith in our San Michele,
as You call him. Something lmpels
me to trust to the honesty of that young
stranger who helredus, rs would trust
by brother Ugo in heaven"
81, too, have faith in the young sig.
norio; but, all, me, it's hard losing all
that money
1.-The worst will he telling Uncle
Gino. He will he. furious. What a
night of misfortune this has been :"
And yet, in spite of the great loss
she had sustained, Countess Natalla
Roselli, rs she drifted into dreamland
for few hours, felt that this special
night had been fraught with a new, rare
happiness for her.
She awakened to stormy, painful
scene. Ill news travels quickly. Gerino
Roselli, Natalia's uncle, had heard OF
the robbery, and had come for full par
ticulars.
"What is this wild story of Giacin-
ta's ;" he began, angrily. lyon have
had the colossal folly to let n street
vagrant loose in your rooms. OF course
he improved his opportunity and TOOK
your money"
Uncle, I'm fully convinced the
money was stolen before this gentleman
. -, l,n 10,
was open; the ladder carelessly left
near by the worlmen. Paolo saw me
put the money in the desk; possibly he
succumbed to the temptation"
what prepOsterous nonsense, You
would throw suspicion on an honest
coatadino, who grew old in your fathers
service, to screen we'll dressed, soft
spoken blackleg, Who is this fine
gentleman, pray! Where does he live (!
OF course, if he was honorable, he has
told You al this
He wished to give me his card. but
had none with him; he is coming
this afternoon to present himself i'll due
form.
a likely story, And YOU, Won CON
fding innocent, do you realize that the
loss of this money leaves you next to
nothing to live upon till the Rovezzano
rents are due What do you mnn to
do :"
Certainly not ask charity from You,
Uncle Gino. Giacinta and L have
already learned what sharp poverty
means, and we can bear this misfortune
rs We have borne others" \ proud fire
burned i'll the young contcssa's eyes as
she spoke
Whats this" said Roselli. rs he
turne on his heel to leave the room
His foot had struck against small
oh, Get lying on the floor III the shadow of
q table. 1t WAS Philips card case.
Roselii opened it and read on the first
card, Mr.. Philip Leighton Via
Palcstro, No. % This is probably the
name of Your gallant rcscuer," Rosclli
added sarcastically. Rather sus-
picious circumstance to find his card
case lying SO near the plundered desk.
81 will keep il for him till he comes,
said Nataiia, holding ont her hand with
quiet dignity.
by all means, my dear, keep it till
he comes. L hope your contiding patti
ence will not be put to too severe q
str in.
Rosclli took one long, searching look
Mt the card, and resigned the pretty
leather toy 10 his nicce's keeping.
For Philip, also, there was rude
awakening that morning. A furious
Italian gentleman demanded to see him;
asked an account of the last night pro-
cccdinps, and accused him of stealing
fifteen hundred francs from the Countess
RESELL. \ policeman and cab were ut
the door, and before lie fairly realized
what WAS occurring, the bewildered
Philip found himself in cell at the
Bargclio. i sad contrast TO his dreams
of imbbing draughts of tea and en-
chantm"nt with his fair inoH,ordto. He
had no friends i'll Florence OF whom he
cared to borrow money, and lie was not
in funds to bail himself out TO keep his
appointment for four o'clock.
Count Roselli kept his own counsel
as TO the summary measures he had
taken, and Withdrew for few DAYS to
his p DIRE at Feitro.
As the day wore away with no signs
of Philip, Natalia said to her hand
maiden:
Giacinta, Tn Ia INTEL with the fea
chat Uncle Gino IA do something
desperate abou, this mis-, abe u ney.
i wish you would - to the VIl p .estro
and ask for MI Leghton."
Giacinta went, and return d IN floods
of tears. Mr. Leighton HAD b,.en az
rested that morning. The mir M said
he was such a nice, oren-handed gentle
man; there must be some nonstrous
mistake about it all.
Natalie S I'D zen and paper, and sent
Glacinta to the Bargello with a tear
stained note declaring her belief in his,
Philin'S entIrn i,,nnronno anil hor sharna