The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-01

but no harm will befall you if your folks
| don't make fools of themselves and
wake up the gentlemen in frogged coats
and cocks feathers. When tho last sons
paid, you II be set free.''
They rummaged the house, turning the
place upside down, but found no moro
than the 10000 francs Bcppo had given
thom.
Guerra was Immediately bound and
gagged, bandage was placed over his
eyes, and they were going to lead him
away, when his wife, throwing herself
ut the feet of tho brigand chief, cried
i'll accents of terror and despair:
"Agostino! Agostinop'- was the
Christian name of Fontana - "have
mercy. Don't take him away You
know MS we'll. Take tho money, but
leave us Beppo."
No, mol Impossiblel Go to the
DEVIL
But the poor creature chung to him
the tighter, seizing the folds of his cloak
with both hands.
"Agostino!" she cried again. "You
remember me. Many's tho time I played
with you whes you were little"
go to the devil, say. Make up the
sum required and you shall have back
yoar husband. In four days come alone
to the spring by the marble quarry and
we'll settle tho account"
And in less time than it takes to
wink, the brigands hurried off Dcppo,
leaving wife and children overwhelmed
with disaster.
To make complaint and set the au-
thorities to work was simply to put
bullet through the head of the prisoner.
His wife knew this only too we'll. She
knew also that it would DO necessary to
meet Fontana on tho day appointed, at
tho place named.
She went alone-that was tho condi-
tion-carrying with her every penny
that she had been able to raise Her eyes
We're swollen from want of sleep and
Redeemed by much weeping.
In the vicinity of tho quarry nil 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 fellow we'll pleased with himself
for having just made good stroke in a
doubtful business.
"Beppo carries himself as high rs tho
cupola of st. Peters. Wo play cards to-
| gother to help pass the time Have you
brought the money!"
| mot the whole of it, but surely this
is enough--5, OO0"
Fontana frowncd under his eyebrows
and answered roughly: mo; 1 said
10000. Adieu!"
Wait, watt" cried tho poor woman,
seeking to detain him. 81 have not been
able to get moro i'll the time, but I
will go mt onco to Orbatello, and his rel
atives there will give me what's lack
ing. The day after tomorrow 1 shall
| have it.
| Bel so, then. After tomorrow, hero
at this place. Thou knowest the rest -
Two days later tho 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
fiod himself as to the amount, made her
low bow.
"This evening Boppo will return to
his family. Allow me to wish you a
last adieu."
| On reaching his quarters in the noun
talns Fontana cut tho 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 tho stono heap
! beyond the quarry. From there no can
find his way home If any ono does him
the smallest injury, shall know how
to punish it. Remember, you are all re-
sponsible for his safety
Then. sending tho men away he was
| left alono with Guerra
Listen to me, Beppo. have always
had friendly feeling for you and yours
If had only myself to consider, Iwould
never have done this. But have with
mo 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. l cannot always do what I
would. but when an affairs been de-
clded on usually continue to be mas
ter. All /! When 1 saw your wife-who
nursed mo and taught Inc to walk-it
gave me II nasty twinge. But if had
yielded wo should both have been knock
cd down and beaten to death where we
stood.
Pardon me, Beppo, and pray accept
these few pieces = so francs. Take