The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-02-17

CopVrigM l69Tby-S. e. Crockett
strolled to my rooms in a strangely
expectant frame of mind l was about
to witness a curious sight-two self
accusers for one murder. One lied--il
was my business to discover which,
The Two dragons of my escort who
were on duty seluled as l entered. Al
the top of the stair found Stephano,
my orderly, in state of wild cOuster-
nation. There was talk of brigands in
the town, he said, and / had not been
seen since four o'clock. But L COM
forted him with a cheerful word, and
told him that before supper there were
certain prisoners to be examined. He
must, therefore, make such prepare
tons as might seem most impressive
and official. So went to my bedroom
and threw myself on the couch to think
the matter over.
Presently some one came and tapped
gently at my door.
"Who is there?" cried.
"It is /, Stephanol' said the orderly.
"Ah, Stephano, enterl
Then the faithful one told me quickly
that all was ready-the man waiting,
the Syndic himself present, and the
feet of the guard who brought the
woman, already on the stair.
Stephano swiftly buckled on my
sword and threw the Generals silken
sash over my shoulder. Then he drew
his own sword, opened the door, and
announced me formally.
His Illustrious Excellency the Gen.
erall"
For Stephano magnifed his own Of
fee and, incidentally, mine also.
1t was curious scene which wit
messed when entered the great room
OF the old palace, which in the troubles
of the great Napoleon had become the
inn of the sadly reduced city of Atrani.
My escort, all save the sentries at
the outer door, were disposed in full
uniform on either side of the gloomy
apartment. A long table stood in the
midst with candles and papers upon it,
the latter for show merely, being most
ly regimental dockets of Stephano and
a few draft reports of my own. The
of the table, but at the brusque an
nouncement of Stephano he had risen
aud stood with bowed head while !
walked to the red-and-gold chair of
state reserved for me at the upper end
of the room.
Then, as they were bringing forward
the prisoner, Stephano came sgain to
my side, and, unbuckling the sword of
honor which the King had given me,
he laid it with infinite dignity on the
table in front of me.
"We are in an i'll town, and among
an untrustworthy folk, at once turbu-
lent and bandit-ridden," he whispered,
az l moved my hand impatiently. LIT
is we'll to let the cattle know it when
great man deigns to come among them"
For Stephano was also of the North
and despised the candille of the south
eastern sea.
1 looked up and saw Leo Perrone
standing at the end of the table furthest
from me. His hands were bound be-
hind him. He looked on the floor, but
his face was no longer as had seen it,
shaken with emotion. 1t was gray and
stern rather, but very quiet withal.
There came the tramp Of soldiers on
the stone stairs and file of c0rabineri
entered with woman. 1t was Maria
Perrone, the dark woman with the
handsome eyes whom had seen in the
morning. They brought her to the
table end and set her beside her hus-
band.
She glanced up and her eyes fell upon
him.
"Leol" she cried fercely. "Leol
A prisonerl Oh, my Leo, what have
you done now?"
And she raised her arms and clasped
him about the neck. The loose, coarse
prison sleeves fell back from the white,
rounded arms, and saw her fingers
clasp and knit convulsivtly behind the
mans head. He turned his eyes toward
her and pain and love struggled to-
gether in his eyes. The muscles of his
arms twitched and drew like wire bell
pulls as he struggled to get his arms
free. But the steel wristbands held.
"Maria! Mother Maria! Beloved
onel" he said, huskily, looking at her a
moment.
And then, as she chung yet closer to
him, he pushed her gently away with a
proud little movement, as one who
would say: Shame, shame, beloved.
This is no time and no company for the
showing of Lowell"
But in spite IF these Maria Perrone
wistfully kept her eyes on him. But
he did not look again at his wife, but
as if he dared us to think i'll of it, he
fronted us all defantly, and yet with q
certain grimly watchful respectfulness
which won upon me.
Slowly the w0man's hands unClasped
themselves as she noted the uneasy
shrug of her husbands shoulders under
her touch. Her white arms grew sud
denly lax and fell heavily to her sides
She faced about, looking at us one by
one.
Ipaused before l spoke, turning over