The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-08-22

nave nad the colossal Jolly 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 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
contotlieo, who grew old in your fathers
service, to screen 4 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-
fiding 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 l have
already learned what sharp poverty
means, and we can bear this misfor-
tune as we have borne Others" A
proud fire burned in the young con-
tessa's eyes as she spoke.
whats this?" said Roselli, as he
turned on his heel to leave the room.
His foot had struck against small OBJ
ject lying on the floor in the shadow of
table. 1t was Philips card-case.
| koselli opened it and read on tho first
card, "'Mr. Philip Leighton, Via Pa
lestro. No. 49, This is probably the
name of your gallant rescuer," Ro-
selli added, sarcastically. Rather a
suspicious circumstance to find his
card-case lying so near tho plundered
desk.''
81 will keep it for him till he comes"
said Natalia, holding out her hand in
quiet dignity.
"By all means, my dear, keep it till
he comes. l hope your confiding
patience will not be put to too severe
strain.''
Roselli took one long, searching look
at the card, and resigned the pretty
leather toy to his niece's keeping.
For Philip, also, there was a rude
awakening that morning. A furious
Italian gentleman demanded to see
him; asked an account of the last
nights proceedings, and accused him
of stealing fifteen hundred francs from
the Countess Roselli. A policeman
and cab were at the door, and before
he fairly realized what was occurring,
the bewildered Philip found himself
lodged in a cell at the Bargello. A
sad contrast to his dreams of imbibing
draughts of tea and enchantment with
his fair inanorata. He had no friends
in Florence of whom he cared to bor-
row money, and he was not in funds to
bail himself out to keep his appoint
ment 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 podere at Feltro.
AS the day wore away with no signs
of Philip, Natalia said to her hand
| maiden:
'Giacinta. I'm haunted with the fear
that Uncle Gino has done something
| desperate about this miserable money.
I wish you would go to the Via Pales-
tro and ask for MIR. Leighton
Giacinta went, and returned in floods
of tears. Mr.. Leighton had been ar
rested that morning. The padrona
said he was such nice, open-handed
gentlemen; there must be some mon
| strous mistake about it all.
Natalia seized pen and paper, and
| sent Giacinta to the Bargello with a
! tear-stained note declaring her belief
in his, Philips, entire innocence, and
her shame at her uncle's conduct.
Philip.in durance vile, poured out as
much of his soul as the back of an old
play-bill would hold, in reply.
Thus these two lovers-for the cruel
ty of the tyrant uncle had reused in
both young hearts this consuming pas
! sion were made to suffer, each for the
distress of the other, in hopeless I'M
certainty.
The third day q. Philips bondage,
young woman, With a handkerchief
bound over one eye, presented herself
at the Palazzo Roselli and asked for
the young contessa.
'Ihey tell me n young English sig
norino is in prison for stealing the
contessa;s money" she began. Per
haps they will let him free if tell
what l saw on Thursday night when
the money was taken.'
What dill you see? Tell me every
thing!'' cried Natalia, eagerly.
'rm chambermaid in the house
across the street. A bad headache was
on me on Thursday night; I couldn't
sleep, and came to the window for
fresh air. saw two men prop lad
der against your window. One man
was a big, brawny, evil-looking fellow;
the other was lame"
1nlS lame man, was ne old or
young?'
odd, signorina, with one shoulder
higher than the other.''
''Paolo!" said Natalia, under her
breath; "My intuition was right 60
on-what happened then?'
1.-The big man began climbing the
ladder. / thought it all looked sus-
picious, and l slipped out of my room
to give the alarm. It was dark as
pitch in the corridor. and I fell down
stairs, giving my head furious blow
on the stone stairs. I was wild and
wandering-like till yesterday. because
of this wound on my head. To-day
remember everything, and thought it
right to tell the signorina contessa.
May the Madonna strike me dead if
what l say is not true.''