The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-03

ms wi1e, Maria ferrone, directly from
the prison. would confront them the
one with the other!'
The o..icer again saluted with infinite
respect Was he not an officer of police
and Inspector of prisons and general
scarcely less than king to him?
strolled to my rooms in strangely
expectant frame of mind. was about
to witness a curious sight-two self ac-
cusers for one murder. One lied-it was
my business to discover which.
The two dragons of my escort who
were on duty saluted as entered. At
the TOT. of the stair found Stephanc,
my cr.e-ly, in state of wild conster-
natiun. There was talk of brigands in
the town, he said, and had not been
seen since o'clock. But / comforted
him with cheerful word and told him
that before supper there were certain
prisoners to be examined. He must
therefore make such preparations as
might seem most impressive and Off
cial So went to my bedroom and
threw myself down on the couch to
think the matter over.
Presently some one came and tapped
gently at my door.
"Who is there?" ! cried.
lit is l, Stephano!'' said the orderly
All, Stephano, enter!''
Then the faithful one told me quick
ly that all was ready-the man wait
ing, the syndic himself present, and the
feet of the guard who brought the
woman already on the stair.
Stephano quickly buckled on my
sword and threw the silken general q
sash over my shoulder. Then he drew
his own sword, opened the door and
announced me formally.
His most illustrious excellency the
general!'
For Stephano magnified his own
Office, and incidentally mine also.
1t was a curious scene which wit
messed when / entered the great room
of the old palace, which in the trou.
bles Of the great Napoleon had become
the chief inn Of the sadly reduced city
of Atrani.
My escort, all save the sentries at the
outer door, were disposed in full uni
form 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
~ regimental dockets of Stephano and
few draft reports Of my own. The
syndic had seated himself at the side Of
the table, but at the brusque announce.
ment Of Stephano he had risen an6
stood with bowed head while walked
TO the red and gold chair Of state re-
served for me at the upper end Of the
room.
Then. as they were bringing forward
the prisoner, Stephano came again tt
my side, and, unbuckling the sword o.
honor which the king had given me, ht
laid it with infinite dignity on the ia
BILE in front Of me.
eve are in an i'll town and anon;
an untrustworthy folk, at once turbu
lent and bandit ridden" he Whispered
as moved my hand impatiently. "I
is we'll to let the cattle know it when {
great man deigns to come among them. >
For Stephano was also of the nortl
and despised the canaille of the south
eastern sea.
/ looked up and saw Leo Perron,
standing at the end of the table farthes
from me. His hands were bound behint
him. He looked on the floor, but hi
face was no longer as had seen it
shaken with emotion. 1t was gray an,
stern rather, but very quiet withal.
There came the tramp of soldiers OF
the stone stairs, and file of Gardiner
entered with woman. 1t was Mari,
Perrone, the dark woman with tn
handsome eyes whom had seen in tn
morning. They brought her to the tabl
end and set her beside her husband
She glanced up and her eyes fell OF
him.
"Leo!" she cried fiercely. 'Leol
prisonerl Oh, my Leo! What have yo1
done now?''
And she raised her arms and claspe,
him about the neck. The loose, coars
prison sleeves fell back from the whit
rounded arms, and ! saw her finger
clasp and knit convulsively behind til
man s head. He turned his eyes towar
her, and pain and love struggled tc
gether in his eyes. The muscles of hi
arms twitched and drew like wire bell
pulls as he struggled to get his arm
free, but the steel wristbands held
Maria Mother Maria! Believe
onel' he said huskily, looking at her
moment
And then, as chung yet closer t