Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-10-28

tt4tt& (ANA = At1t4tA4AArs ~ ANAA tnG AAtrb e04 >
paid. yen II be set FREE.
They rumlnaged the house, turning the
place upside down, but found no more
than the / !. 600 francs Beppo had given
them.
Guerra was Immediately bound and
gagged. handage was placed over his
eyes, and they We're going TO lead him
away, when his wife, throwing herself
at the feet Of the brigand chief, cried
III accents Of terror and despair:
.AgoStinol AgoStinol '-it was the
Christian name of Fontana - "have
mercy. Don't take him away You
know us we'll Take the money. but
leave us Beppo"
No. mol Impossiblel Go to the
devil "
But the poor creature chung 10 him
the tighter, seizing the folds of his cloak
with both hands.
"Agostinol" she cried again. lyon
remember me. Many's the time played
with you when you We're little.
go to the devil, l say. Make up the
sum required and you shall have back
your husband. In four days come alone
TO the spring by the marble quarry and
Wen settle the account
And in less time than it takes to
wink, the brigands hurried off Beppo,
leaving wife and children overwhelmed
with disaster
TO make complaint and set the au-
thorities TO work was simply TO put a
bullet through the head of the prisoner
His wife knew this only too well. She
knew also that it would be necessary to
meet Fontana ON the day appointed, at
the place named.
She went alone-that was the condi-
tion-carrying with her every penny
that she had been able toraise. Her eyes
We're swollen from want of sleep and
Redeemed by much weeping.
In the vicinity Of the quarry all was
quiet. Everything about her spoke of
peace, of tranquil days and silent nights.
Only her own soul was in agitation.
CHANGING upward she saw Fontana
descending from above with the rapidity
of pebble detached by pick. He
came toward her with comical air,
like a fellow we'll pleased with himself
for having just made a good stroke in
doubtful business.
"Beppo carries himself as high as the
cupola of st. Peters We play cards to-
gether TO help pass the time. Have you
brought the money!"
Not the whole Of it, but surely this
is enough-5, 000p
L..
and answered roughly "No; said
100000 Adieup'
Wait, wait, I" cried the poor woman,
seeking to detain him. Il have not been
able to get more in the time, but !
Will 90 at once to Orbatello, and his rel
atives there will give me what's lack
ing. The day after tomorrow 1 shall
have it. +"
BE so, then. After tomorrow, here
at this place. Thou knowest the rest. "
Two days later the wife of Guerra
was standing ON the same spot, and
Fontana, with the same cOmical air,
was counting coins into his hat The
woman had brought with her the com
plement, and the bandit, having salts
fed himself as to the amount, made her
a low bow.
'This evening Beppo will return to
his family. Allow me to wish you a
last adieu.
On reaching his quarters in the noun
tains Fontana cut the cords which bound
his prisoner to stone of enormous size,
threw the money and notes into his hat
and shouted abruptly to his comrades:
Here's the remainder. Beppo is free
Presently four of you will blindfold him
and lead him as far as the stone heap
beyond the quarry. From there he can
find his way home. If any one does him
the smallest injury, shall know how
TO punish ii. Remember, you are all re
sponsible for his safety.
Then. sending the men away, he was
left alone with Guerra.
Listen to me, Beppo have always
had friendly feeling for you and yours.
If had only myself to consider, would
never have done this. But have with
me two or three hot headed rascals,
who know that you re pretty easy and
heard that you had brought back big
sum from the city. 1t was impossible to
hold them off. You don't know these
fellows. / cannot always do what /
would, but when an affairs been de-
cided ON usually continue TO be mas
ter. All When / saw your wife-who
nursed me and taught me to walk-it
gave me a nasty twinge. But if had
yielded we should both have been knock
ed down and beaten to death where we
stood.
Pardon me, Beppo, and pray accept
these few pieces - 100 francs Take
them as conscience money. Buy some
thing for the wife and children as SOU
venir of Fontana, who begs their forgive
ness for the injury he has been forced to
do them.
A few hours later, when the bandage
was removed from his eyes, Beppo found
himself at a spot distant about three
kilometers from his own house.
Not a great while after this occur
renee the band was dispersed and Fon-
tana himself shot dead III a skirmish
with the carbineers.
Such was the terror which be had in
spired throughout the district that the
authorities, suspecting his death would
be doubted by the populace, had the
corpse dashed to the back Of an ass, and
for three days the animal was led
through the principal villages in the
Campagna.