The Red Cloud chief., 1889-08-16

Oh the familiar old portrafts looked
down a. II welcoming them home.
why. Giacin:a! what does this
mean? Ny desk wide open, and all
the papers scattered about Oh. Ma
donna Mia! the money from the Libro
Aperto Vineyard was there-ffteen
hundred francsr' The young girl hev
to the desk and plunged her hand into
. drawer 1t the side, Gone! GiAcinta.
We are robbed:,.,. and she. buried her
face desparingly in tie cushions OF the
nearest sofa
The Holy Mother grant you are
mistaken, carina.'
Il am not mistaken. alas! In that
drawer I put the money while Paolo
waited for the receipt remember
doing so with painful distinctness.
Paolo sat there on the blue ottoman. ]
let him set down because of his lame
foot He went quietly away after get
ting his receipt. and locked the money
in the drawer as usual"
Giacinta fumbled wildly about among
the papers, but all to no avail. The
money was certainly gone
'.And he with . face like the blessed
San Michele" she moaned.
NO. no; you are mistaken. amica
miar' cried the contessa. reading the
suspicion in the old woman's eyes. Il
would as soon accuse you Of ro5bing
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 tonight, owing
to the fiesta at Cajano. No. you need
not lose faith in San Michele. as you
call him. Something impels me to trust
to the honesty Of that young stranger
who helped US. as would trust my
brother Ugo in Heaven"
The Madonna herself put that trust
in your pure heart, bambina mia. and
l. too. have faith in the young signo-
rino: but. ah. me! it's hard losing all
that money!"
The worst will be telling Uncle Gino-
He will be furious. What . night OF
misfortune this has been"
And yet in spite OF the great mis-
fortune she had sustained. Countess
Natalia Roselli. rs she drifted into
dreamland for q few hours, felt that
this special night had been fraught
with . new. rare happiness for her.
She awakened to q 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 10 this wild story Of Gia-
cinta'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 gentle
man came TO our assistance. The
window was open; the ladder carelessly
left near by the w0rkmen. 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
consadino. who grew old in your fathers
service, to screen a well-dressed. soft
spoken blackleg! Who is this fine
gentleman. pray? Where does he live:
OF course. if he is honorable he has
told you all this?"
He wished to give his card, but
had none with him; he is coming this
afternoon to present himself in due
form"
"A likely story! And you, you con-
fding innocent, do you realize that the
loss of this money leaves you with next
to nothing to live upon till the Rovez.
zano 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 caa bear this misfor.
tune as We have borne others." A
proud FIRE burned in the young con.
tessa's eyes as she spoke.
What's this?" said Roselli. as he
turned on his heel to leave the room.
His foot had struck against q small Oh.
| ject lying on the door in the shadow oi
a table. It was Philips card-case.
Roselli opened it and read on the frs,
| card, Mr.. Philip Leighton. Via Pa.
lestro. No. 23.' This is probably the
name of your gallant rescuer." Ro.
selli added. sarcastically. Rather q
suspicious circumstance to find his
card-case lying so near the plundered
desk"
Il will keep it for him till he comes. !"
said Na.alia. holding out her hand in
quiet dignity.
by all means. my dear. keep it till
he comes. hope your confding
patience viii not be put to too severe q
strain"
Roselli took one long. searching look
at the card. and resigned the pretty