Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-22
CHAPTER XLvI.
A CHASTITY VOUCHER.

clines on his straw pallet, specializing
upon the chances of his liberty being
restored to him. There has been time
for the letter to his father to have
reached It's destination, and the re-
turn of an answer. But what will the
answer be?
He is not left long to conjectures. In
a few minutes after entering the
courtyard, Corvino cries out:
Bring the forestiere before me.
Drag him out instantly! Let me see
how'll he look without ears!"
Amid the brutal laughter Of the ban
dts the command is literally obeyed,
three or four of them entering the
prisoners cell and hauling him out Of
it sans ceremonie, and on to where the
chief is standing.
so, signor pittore," says the latter,
"It appears you've had uqarrel with
your father, and all the family besides.
On account of which the old gentleman
not only refuses to send the money for
your riscatta, but insults my messen-
ger as well; threatened him with a
licking, and no end of other indigni-
ties-threats that, for Your sake, twas
well he did not keep. And, on your
account, I call it hard dealing, down
right hard, as, no doubt, you'll be
thinking too. But never mind, we've
got way to soften the hearts of such
stern parents; make them relenting as
snow thawed by the summer sun.
When he sees your ears coming to him
wrapped up in a letter-a little shrivel-
led, perhaps, but not so much as to him
der him from recognising them-may-
be, then he'll melt, and pay the money.
If he don't, shall set him down as the
most obdurate mortal with whom I've
ever held respondence-a very brute
of brutes''
Then, turning to his men: Now,
Giacomo! Sciaccia! Off with those
auricular appendages!" AS he speaks,
pointing to the prisoners ears.
Is it a fact? Can he be in earnest?
Surely not. So the captive questions
himself, enormously answering, as he
Instantly discovers. For, quick at the
chiefs command, Giacomo and the
90, T.
approach him with the blades barred
no sign of testing in the eyes of either,
but stern, unfinching earest. Nor is
there ay delay or hesitation in their
acts. Selling him by the shoulders,
one on each side, they proceed determ-
inedly to execute the inhuman order
when stayed by an exclamation, not
from the chief, but another individual
Ia common robber of the band, who,
at the instant, comes hurrying up.
With surprise the prisoner sees Doggy
Dick-not surprise at the ex-game-
keeper being present, but thus inter-
fering in his behalf! After all, there
tom of the outlaws breast, a spark of
patriotism at length and at last touch
ed.
With like establishment Corvino re-
CARDS the interruption, but treats it in
different style, angrily exclaiming:
'Sangre di Christie! what's this?
What mean you, Ricardo?"
The answer shows Henry Harding
what mistake he has made, and how
he has misjudged the motives of his
fellow-countrymen No compassion
his, no thought of mercy, but one al
together different.
Only, capo,' returns the renegade,
that / can put We up to better plan.
Stead O. cuttin' off his ears, sposin'
We let it be that Their finger wi the
scratch ont, the little 'un O. the left
hand
You're right interrupts the chief.
catching his meaning. "A capital idea!
Who'd have expected it to come out
of that thick Saxon skull of yours?"
With half smile, half grin. Doggy
Dick accepts the somewhat dubious
compliment all the others hailing it
with roar of hoarse laughter. Then
Coryino, summoning Sciaccia to his side
commands carrying out the programme
as altered.
Once more the Smasher, with Gia-
como, assisting DOGGY Dick now also
lending his hand-returns to the cap
tive, and, going behind his back, all
three commence flmbling about his
hands But as the wrists are spliced
together, with the palms overlapping,
they find inconvenience in getting at
the finger to be cut off. Observing
this, Corvino cries out:
"Unloose his hands, and perform the
amputation in proper artistical man
ner. Take it off by the bottom joint,
and see you don't haggle it, or you may
spoil the thing for our purpose. You,
Ricardo, seem as if you were afraid
of another known-down such as you