Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-15

girls in 1t. In that he feels vivid in
terest.
Where is your home, Signor Sindi-
COZ" he asks. To conceal the object Of
his interrogatory. adding: Il should
like to have look at the place where
they made temporary deposit OF their
prisoner. Seeing it, perhaps might
conjecture their motive for so doing" "
MY house?" returns the unsuspect-
ing magistrate. Upon the street lead
ing out toward the Campagna- Some
twenty others are between it and the
Piazza; but it's sufficiently conspicu-
GUS, being the only one with loggia.
No doubt you noticed 1t while pass
ing"
"Ah, yes! 1 think I did. But I'll
take the liberty of looking in upon you
tomorrow morning before starting in
pursuit OF these malefactors. Mean
while, If you'll be good enough to gath
er from your people what information
they can give about them. it may do
something to serve the ends OF justice.
not to speak of humanity"
"I'll do all can" returned the Sin
dico. in careless way, showing how
little hope he has in either humanity
or justice gaining much from Captain
Count Guardiola. On the contrary, he
is disguised at the want of feeling, of
spirit shown by the officer, and as sup
per Ia being served and the latter no
longer requires his presence. he bids
"Buono nottel" and withdraws.
True to his promise, the Gardiner
captain calls next morning upon the
Sindico, under pretence of inspecting
the place where the bandits had be-
slowed their prisoner. but in reality to
make the acquaintance of Lucetta Tor
reani.
In this he is unsuccessful. The
young lady not being presented to him,
as he expected, and Notwithstanding
more than one broad hint he gives his
wishes in that regard. But the father
seems obtuse; and he has to leave the
house without the qualification of de-
sire-something more than curiosity
that took him to it. Were 1t any other
in the village he would not be so easily
put off; but the chief magistrate is a
parsonage Of Importance as himself,
holding a government commission, and
therefore not to be dealt with as an or
binary individual-above all, not to be
outraged, nor insulted. Knowing this,
the noble captain swallows his disap-
pointment, consoling himself with the
reflection that he has not yet done with
Val di Orno, its Sindico, nor that gem
tleman's daughter.
But for the blame that might accrue, he
would not proceed step further In the
pursuit, but take up his stay in the town
and there remain, for such time as the
higher power might permit. That remiss-
ness, however, would be sure to reach the
ears of the War Minister, and get him a
reprimand, If not something more. Thus
he is compelled to keep on after the plum
derers, though without the slightest in
tention of overtaking them, even were 1t
possible.
And on he goes, leisurely as ever maxi
ing short marches from station to station,
wherever he hears word of the robbers
having passed. Not long before reaching
the Neapolitan frontier, he knows they
are acros sit; but, TO satisfy the require
meHts of duty, he follows them as far as
diplomatic relations allow. For, between
the Romagna and Regno there is a strict
Observance of territorial neutrality: and
captain Guardiola is but too glad to find
himself at a point where he dares not TO
30 a foot farther without infringing the
customary etiquette. This courteous be-
havior on both sides gives grand advantage
TO the outlaws Of either; and now does
service to Vorvino and his varlets by
virtually saving them from being followed
home TO their hiding place. 1t will take
time before diplomatic communication can
be had with Naples, and permission OBJ
tanned for an armed force to cross the
frontier. Possibly enough, The grace Will
not be asked for. ana certainly would not
had the robbers maraud been one Of the
ordinary kind. However, court influence,
with the despoiled noble to sue for II. may
make his an exceptional case Taking
this for granted, Captain Guardiola has
before him the prospect Of prolonged So
journ among the Sabine mountains, with
the privilege OF making his headquarters
in whatever town he may deem most suit
ably situated, for the arduous duties that
are to occupy him. 1t is scarce necessary
to say that this is val di Orno: and on Val
di Orno he falls back