Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-08-01

"Why, Giacinta what does this
mean My desk wide open, and all the
papers scattered about. Oh, madonna
mia the money from the Libro Aperto
vineyard was the1e-fifteen hundred
francs !" The young girl flew to the
desk and plunged her hand into draw
er Mt the side. "Gone Giacinta, we
are robbed" and size buried her face
despairngly in the cushions of the
nearest sofa.
"Heaven grant you nre mistaken,
carinar
81 am not mistaken, alas! In that
drawer / put the money while Paolo
waited for the receipt. / remember
doing so with painful distinctness.
Paolo sat there in the bfue ottoman. /
let him sit down because of his lame
foot. He went quietly away after get
ting his receipt, and locked the money
in the drawer rs usual"
Giacinta fumbled wildly about among
the papers, but all t. no avail. The
money was certainly gone.
"And he with face like the blessed
San Michele" she moaned.
"No, no; You are mistaken, amica,
mia !" cried the contessa, reading the
suspicion in the old woman's s eyes. 81
would as soon accuse you of robbine
me, you 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 tssta at Cajano. No, you
need not loose faith in our San Michele,
rs you call him. Something impels
mo to trust to the honesty of that young
stranger who helpedus, as would trust
| by brother Ugo in heaven"
81, too, have faith in the young sig
norio; but, ah, mel it's hard losing all
that money !"
"The worst will be telling Uncle
Gino. He will be furious. What a
night of misfortune this has been %
And yet, in spite of the great loss
she had sustained, Countess Natalia
Roselli, rs she drifted into dreamland
for few hours, felt that this special
night had been fraught with n new, rare
happiness for her.
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. "You have
had the colossal folly to let a 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
came to our assistance. The window
was open; the ladder care!essly left
near by the workmen. 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
contadino, who grew old in your fathers
service, to screen n well dressed, soft
spoken blacklcg Who is this fine
gentleman, pray? Where does he live ?
Of course, if he was honorable, he has
told you all this"
''He wished to give me his card, but
lad none with him; he is coming
this afternoon to present himself in due
form"
ga likely story! And you, you con-
fiding 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 mean to
do?"
Certainly not ask charity from you,
Uncle Gino. Giacinta and [ have
already learned what sharp poverty
means, and we can bear this misfortune
as we have borne others" A proud fire
burned in the young contessa's eyes rs
she spoke.
"Whats this?" said Roselli, MS he
turned on his heel to leave the room