Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-08
he improved his opportunity and took


Uncle, I'm fully convinced the
money was stolen before this gentleman
came to our assistance. The window
was open; the ladder carelessiy leit
near by the worImen. 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
cOntadiaO, who grew old in your father
service, to screen a well dressed, soft
spoken blackIeg Who is this fine
gentleman, pray? Where does he hive
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 IN due
form.
"a 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
dor"
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 as
she spoke.
"Whats thisg' said Roselli, as he
turned on his heel to leave the room.
His foot had struck against small
OBJ ,ect lying on the floor in theshadow Of
a table. 1t was Philips card case.
Roselli opened it and read on the first
card, "'Mr. Philip Leighton Via
Palestro, No. 49, This is probably the
name Of your gallant rescuer," Roselli
added sarcastically. ''Rather sus-
picious circumstance to find his card
case lying so near the plundered desk. "
al will keep it for him till he comes,
said Natalia, holding out her hand with
quiet dignity.
"By all means, my dear, keep it till
he comes. hope your confiding patti
ence will not be put to too severe
strlin."
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 pro-
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 in a cell at the
Bargello. A sad contrast to his dreams
Of imbibing draughts of tea and en-
,hantment with his fair indmOrdtd. He
had no friends in Florence of whom he
jared to borrow money, and he was not
IN funds TO bail himself out to keep his
for four o'clock.
Count Roselli kept his own counsel
Is to the summary measures he had
AIKEN, and withdrew for few days to
lis pcdoro at Feltro.
AS the day wore away with no signs
If Philip, Natalia said to her hand
maiden:
g Giacinta, I'm haunted with the fea
hat Uncle Gino has done something
desperate about this miserable money.
wish you would go to the Via Palestro
md ask for Mr.. leighton.
Giacinta went, and returned in floods
Il tears. Mr.. Leighton had been ar
ested that morning. The padrona said
le was such nice, open handed gentle
mistake about it all.
Natalie seized pen and paper, and sent
to the Bargello with a tear
tanned note declaring her belief in his,
'hilip's entire innocence, and her shame
I her uncle's conduct. Il
Philip, in durance vile, poured out as
1uch Of his soul as the back Of an old
lay-bill would hold, in reply.
Thus these two lovers-for the cruelty
{ the tyrant uncle had reused in both
Dung hearts this consuming passion
ere made to suffer, each for the dis
ress of the other, in hopeless uncer-
linty.
The third day Of Philips bondage, a
Dung woman, with a handkerchief ,
ound over one eye, presented herself ,
/ the Palazzo Rosclli and asked for the /
Dung contcssa. ,
"They tell me that a young English !
gnorino is in prison for stealing the ,
money!" she began. per !
APPS they will lot him free il tell what ,
saw on Thursday night when the I
Ioney was taken" :
"What did you seer Tell me every /
lingl" cried Natalia, eagerly. 4
" I'm chambermaid in the house !
ross the street. A bad headache was !
i me on Thursday night / couldn't \
eep, and came to the window for fresh /
r. | saw two men prop a ladder /
yainst Your window One man was a !
e, brawny, evil Hooking fellow the 4
her was lame. n
"This lame man, was he old or i
,ung h
"Old, signorina, with one shoulder I
CHER than the othe-." h
"Pa,lol" said Natalia, under her b
-eath "my intuition was right. Go 4
l-what happened then Z" d
The big man began climbing the $
oder. / thought it all looked sus- h
cious, and l slipped out of my room d
give an alarm. 1t was dark as pitch Il
the corridor, and fell down stairs, /
wing my head furious blow on the K
one stoirs | was wild and wanderino