Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-29

low four men, where late there was
but one. But not their faces.
Instead. the light Of the hall lamp,
shining out through the open door,
shows the men to be masked. Enough
this, without their quick but stealthy
movements to tell that their purpose
is sinister and the signorina in danger.
With intuitive comprehension of its
nature, it is then she calls out the words
of warning addressed to Lucetta. now
below
Too late to be of service to the young
lady, or even heard by her. They are
drowned by her own cry of distress.
sent up the instant after.
Hearing it. the contadina exerts the
full strength of her voice, now calling
"Aiuto." in quick repetition, which
Beppa, below, shouts still more vocifer-
ously, adding to her cries for help:
Thieves! Robbers! Ravishers!"
Meanwhile, Lucetta is borne OFF be-
tween two of the men, the other two
keeping close after. They make down
the street. leading out to the country
ON that side nearest-and, getting be-
yond the dim light of the one solitary
lamp, are soon out of sight.
The terrified cries continuing. heard
afar on the still air of the night, sum-
mon people from every side. Men come
rushing out of the Piazza, where they
have been lettering, to witness the re-
turn of the troopers, whose bugle-call
has just sounded on the other side Of
the town.
Many of the citizens have already
sought their beds, but enough are
abroad to respond to the cry "Aiuto!"
and a crowd speedily collects in front
of the Sindico's house. There they see
two women in a state of frenzied ex-
citement, one in the open doorway
the other on the balcony above; but as
yet all are ignorant of what is exciting
them.
"Che cosa?" inquire several, speaking
together
She in the balcony ceases shouting
to make answer, but her voice is drown
ed by that of her on the doorstep, who
without a moments pause, continues to
vociferate: "Thivest Robbers Ravish-
ersl" as she pronounces the ominous
words, flinging her arms frantically
about
The people begin to lose patience, but
it is some time before Camilla can
edge in word to explain-only after
Beppa, told by one of the bystanders
she may burst a blood vessel, becomes
suddenly as sullently silent.
Then the contadina, with senses now
collected, gives a short, but intelligi-
BILE account of what has happened. how
the Sindico's daughter was seized and
carried off.
On hearing this furious cry arises
from the crowd The men rush madly
to and fro, the more courageous at once
starting down the street, while the
women and children, Of whom scores
are now out with screams and shout
ing make the clamor complete.
AS yet no one has said who are the
masked men, no one knowing, for Ca
milla herself has not been apprised
that they are bandits Only Beppa is
aware of it, but she, in the sulks for
being sneered at, says nothing.
Were the soldiers in town, some Of
them would be suspected, and indeed,
are, by the contadina herself, now con-
WINGED that the mistress, not the maid,
was the object of the cloaked providers.
Again her thoughts go to Guardiola,
more than ever impressed with the be
lief that he was one of them.
Still, not sure, she does not declare it
to the crowd, but, leaning over the
balcony rail, with words of earnest APP
peal, urges all within to pursue the mis-
creants and rescue their Sindico's
daughter.