Connecticut western news., 1892-06-16
THE RED RAVEN.

returned from Amer1ca With goOdly heap of gold, was killed by an unknown hand. Profound consternation, aggra- vated by fantastic fear, reigned through out the country. When would the as- sassin be discovered?
 The gendarmes, after securing the country for a week, grew weary of the useless labor-no trace, no clew. The grave where Mastro Lanza lay buried was covered with fall Of snow, and the gravedigger, after planting over it rough cross, had chanted this 1ugu- brious antiphon, Frozen is thy bed, poor Mastro: but the rufian who cut thy throat in order to possess himself of thy dollars will pass the winter joyously before hearth crowned with bottlesp' As the gravedigger turned his back on the cross and went his way out of the inclosure, hoarse, guttural sound is- sued from the silent gloom of the twi- light. 1.-The devil is laughingr' exclaimed the servant of the dead, closing the gate. ''The gendarmes will lose their time." ... From the peaks of Albenza to the val leys of Soma the earth was white-the streets were deserted. A few dimly lighted windows disclosed something of life in the human beings huddled to- the snow seemed dark astwilight poured over it's luminous brightness. A man wrapped from ndse to knees in a thick cloak climbed the steep road that led from the valley of Soma to Caperno. He was going to Opreno. The distance that still lay before him was long-night threatened to overtake him on his way And this man-young, healthy, vigorous was afraid of the night. Coming from Pontida on his way home to his own mountainous country, he had taken the shortest route, which, besides being the shortest, also enabled him to avoid inhabited places. He climed the steep hill with hurried steps, like be- lated traveller who is in haste to reach his destination.
 On, on he went. The hill overcome, he stopped an instant, as if at sight of an obstacle or at the sound of threat What had he seen? What heardp
 He had seen the white wall of the cemetery-had heard the hoarse croak of the raven. ..--..
 Oh, it is yet to be seen that Nardo dei Brizzi, the intrepid hunter of the valley, is afraid of the dead.
 And the man in the cloak, shaking off his terror, took up his march with a quick step, that he might leave as quick ly as possible painful situation. Arrived before the cemetery, he turned his face from it and drew back, skirting the wall at the left. As soon as he seemed sufficiently removed from the abode of the dead he stopped, wiped away the perspiration which rolled down his face, and casting a backward | glance over the road already traversed, saw on the white carpet of snow-hop- | ping after him, running directly toward | nina small body, whose form, out lined on the deep snow, appeared that of a raven with red plumage. Another rayenP' cried Brizzi, with chattering teeth. "Mastro's was black. Who ever saw one of these cursed birds with feath- CTS the color of bloodY'
 The red raven had stopped in the mid | dle of the road and seemed to be waiting for the man to take up his march again, in order that he might resume his play | of running after him.
 Il Brizzi threw aside his cloak, picked up handful of snow from the ground, made it in ball and taking aim threw | it with an oath straight at the bird. | The bird jumped aside to avoid the | projectile, croaked three times in mock. ing tone, then, hopping along on its two straight nodulous claws, advanced toward the hunter with the petulant manner of one who has received chal. lenge.
 "Why have I not my good gun with meT thought the mountaineer, grinding his teeth. And, burrowing his head deep in the folds of his cloak, he went hastily on his way up the hill like g frightened child.
 The raven followed him, beating his wings, and that noise of futtering feath CTS, penetrating the big hood that en veloped the head of the fleeing man pierced his ears and froze his blood.
 In the dense obscurity of the night damp with precipitation, Nardo Brizzi al last arri- ed at Opreno.
 With convulsive haste he opened tht door of an old hut, entered, closed it then, having lighted lantern, threw its rays through the little yard to make sure that the other had not entered.
 The other! A tiny bird that in the ex cited mind of the mighty hunter hai
 taken on the proportions of 8 gigantic
 soldier!
 No; the raven had not entered. The
 hunter breathed again and smiled, shak | ino hio hot
 yard bird ever arouse such fear in Nardt
 Brizzi2
 He opened bottle, emptied it in {
 breath and went into the next room t.
 lie down.
 But scarcely had he laid himself or
 the bed, scarcely had he extinguishet
 the candle which he had placed on {;
 chair beside him
 "Chekl chek"
 "The devil!"
 sCheki chekl chekr'
 l And the pecking of sharp beak ol
 the window post made the miserable fel low, who had for the moment rega1net his courage with wine, burrow his heat
 between the counterpane and the pl
 lows.
 "Againl Againl Him!"
 The red raven was there, leanin,
 against the window ledge - picking
 picking at the frame, and every blow O
 that furious, biting beak pierced tn
 very vita1s of Nardo and inflicted quivering wound.
 That was long night for the hunte
 of Opreno! How many times in order t
 make m end to his strocious sufferinI ] GA hs tasank to bsuAd ffou his bsd