Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-05
CHAPTER LXI.
T<rJrr NTIyYN- DUvTxyr

The short pause made by Corvirlo while
questioning the sentry does not hinder him
from overtaking his three travelling COM
panions. Encountered as these are, he is
soon up and heads them through the defile.
Hating then moment at its inner end,
he agan sounds the wolf signal receiving
instantaneous response. The camp guards
are as much on the alert as the outlying
picket. And there are four of them now.
the two fresh ones to look after the unfor-
tunate Petronio.
After the parole is exchanged the re-
turning party enters the convent court
yard, where he carrying the recently made
captive, is relieved of his load; which,
being laid down, is taken indoors-into the
chiefs own room. But the chief himself
does not go after. Instead, he strides to
and fro like lion in its cage, calling
out questions in voice of thunder.
1t wakes everyone, and soon the court
yard is alive with brigands and brigand-
esses-the latter in deshabille, just as they
have started from their beds. There is a
confusion of voices, everyone endeaver-
ing to curry favor with the capo by adju-
rations upon the traitor Tomasso, come in
Guiding the careless vedette in the scold-
ing. Poor Petronio He hears 1t all and
thinks his time is come.
Not yet The chief has other fish to fry,
and his affair will keep. First to hear all
they have to say.
What he is told adds but little to that
known already-only confirming the pick
cts account. Then he retires, and all are
allowed to go back to their beds. which
some do, others remaining UP by the fire
to talk over the latest events.
But the fraeas in the courtyard is almost
snstantly succeeded by scene inside the
chiefs own room, as stormy Is not quite
so noisy. There is mischief between Cor
vino and his cara-sposa, the newly arrived
captive being the cause.
''Captive!' cries the wife, her eyes glar-
ing with jealous rage; don't think you
can blind me by such a false, fantastic
story! This bit of goods you've brought
home with you is no captive. but sweet
heart-that's what she Isl And that's what
you've been after in your late philander-
ings. You needn't deny it; you can't"
She who has been laid upon a couch, ly-
ing there half unconscious, her pale face
almost angelic in its beauty, might well
excite the jealousy thus declared; STILL
it's sorrowful expression should rather call
for sympathy.
Nothing of the kind, cara" coolly re-
joins the chief, 'only a little captive as
tell YOU but one for whom l expect large
riscatta."
eff that's true quickly retorts Popetta,
"why not bestow her as other captives-in
the prison opposite?"
Because it isn't safe, as you ought to
know better than I. after letting the last
who occupied that cell escape. Corpo di
Bacco! Only to think of. losing thirty
thousand scudi And all through your
negligencei So I shall myself take care Of
this bird we've Gagged"
"She shan't stay herer' protests his wife.
mot another minuter
''She shall stay another hour a day a
week, a year, for the rest of her life. If
it so please me, madame!'
'Tll die frstr'
"You can do that now" rejoins the ruff
fan, plucking pistol from his belt and
placing himself in an attitude as If he
would instantly use it. You shall, too,
if you say another word. Go back into
your own room and stay there TIL call
you. Back, / say If you don't. Santos
Dios--''
He is not called upon to speak his
threat. The woman well knows he would
carry it into execution, and Amazon
though she is, quails before him.
Scared and covering, she retires into one
of the back chambers. leaving the brutal
bully alone with his helpless victim.
Now, signorina, he says. as soon as
disembarrassed of Civetta, and without
thought of her ear being at the keyhole,
II wish a word with you in private be-
fore proceeding further. In our hurried
scramble across the hills there's been no
time. First, then, TO say how much I'm
in love with you. From the night I saw
your beautiful face in the balcony-though
you gave me but scant opportunity of OBJ
serving tive thought of little besides.
Ever since my blood's been at fever heat,
and I've been burning to be better ac-
quainted with you. True, you disdained
my offer then. but 1 trust you won't con-
tinue TO be so cruel. I predicted, the time
might come when you wouldn't. Was I
right?''
He pauses in his ironieal rigmarole Not
that he expects reply. She to whom he
speaks seems scarce aware of what he is
saying to her Still lying along the couch
her eyes bent on vacancy. her pailid lips
slightly apart, her body motionless, save
the heaving and falling of her bosom-but
for this, and the tears trickling down her
cheeks, she appears more dead than alive.
Well he proceeds. you don't answer
me? You won't? Fatigued? Is that the
reason for your reticence? I admit the
journeys been rather a rough one, though
by no fault of mine. When you re rested
we can enter into matters more fully All
I wish to say now Is that you're to consid-
er this house your future home, and I
trust you'll be happy in it. I shall do what
/ can to make you so. But I wish to i'm
press upon you the necessity on your side
of trying TO feel contented. Twill be no
use otherwise l need not tell you you're
my captive ard have no more chance OF
eating away from me till give you
ieavej than bird out OF its cage. But I'm
not geing to treat You as an ordinary pris-
onerz tanything but that. Instead, i shall
maxi you head Of my household, mistress
of III. Have no fear Of rival. ana you
nesd.,t have any Of her with whom I've