The record-union., 1894-03-31

Then the men in Sicilian garb ran into
the Casa, as screams OF women issued
from the historic hut.
"Lillibridge," shrieked Mrs. Laplock
wildly. But there was no anwer. Cecil!
Janet Are you alive and still un-
harmed?"
es, yes; but in the hands Of the same
captors as yourself" came uncertainty
from the main apartment of the Casa
to their demands"
mo. [ won't, Cecil; no indeed 1 won't!
oh, what are they, Cecil, dear? Quick!
Reveal them at once, and they shall all be
granted! Won't the banditti let you
come little closer TO our door? Oh.
please do, misters banditti"'
1--WE cannot, Mrs. Laplock, for we are
bound. Ouchr Janet called back dis
couragingly to the imprisoned Mind.
Then in rude Italian and in stern reci-
tative brooklng no appeal, came list OF
| their captors' demands, with CeclPs hesl-
| tant and taltering translationS.
''They say they are no ordinary out
| laws. but men of position and standing,
who, under the circumstances, are most
desperate in their determination"
J Gracious" whispered Mrs. Laplock to
J her sister. perhaps they are noblemen
in disguise-thats better than Professors.
Who knows, Cornelia?"
"Who knows?" echoed Miss Coventry
chatteringly.
"They say they first demand our hands
in marriage"
Granted! You won't mind that, will
you, dears?"
MOI" and "Any sacrifice now!" were
Cecils and Janet's instant rejoinder.
"They say" resumed Cecil with great
emotion, "that they will burn the Casa
over our heads if you do not solemnly
promise never, never. never to Interfere
by look, act or deed, with our Detrothal
here, our marriage, and our affairs as
husbands and wives"
"Granted - gladly, gladly. Why, I
never heard OF such banditti in all my
life!'
And, finally, they say they have
learned from the guides Of your shame
full treatment OF poor, dear papa Laplock,
and that no mercy will be shown if you
ever again badger him, worry him, put
upon him, or conduct yourself towards
him other than as an affectionate wife, a
lady Of dignity and position, and con-
siderate, Christian Womann'
The societies all flashed before Mrs.
LaplOck's eyes, and she was silent.
"In heavens name give in, sister; give
in" implored Miss Coventry
''GrantedD' finally groaned Mrs. Lap
lock in the hOarseness of despair. "Any-
thing, everything, for liberation from
this dungeon. IL never would have
put upon him at all, if he had spoken up
like man at firstn
The bar of the inner door was instantly
drawn and Mrs. Laplock's Mortified eyes
beheld Cecil and Janet, pinioned as at
tirst-but not by the thongs of Sicilian
banditti, for they were held proudly in
the arms of the Professors, who had, for
weeks, been tapping and hammering at
old Etna's lava sides.
tom, bring LaplOck at once. Wen
make trio OF it, while the mood is on"
whispered Rodgers to Tarbot.
In moment, Mr.. Laplock, putting
and blowing from his headlong haste,
with tears of joy brimming his eyes,
was among them.
"Lillibridge LaplOck, k,We-are-ruinedw
sobbed his wife sinking helplessly into
outstretched arms.
"Antoinette Won Houler Coventry Lap
lockl-on the contrary, here in this Jo-
Wan atmosphere. we are all at this very
moment to begin lives of happiness and
peace!"
And never rang out such HEAR
hearst" such huzZas and such hurrahs as
then and there banished the dead-age
mountain myths atfrighted to their caves
and brought the grinning, swarthy guides
to the hut, as on that pleasant April
morning pealed like marriage bells OF
beneicence and bliss from Casa Inglesis s
doors far up Mount Etna's blanched and
serried nights.