Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-12
CHAPTER XIII.
AN UNEXPECTED AvENGER.

now. He Will make none Win Sucn
men-monsters- to humanity it
self. Nor has he need; for already his
followers are in full possession of the
place, inside and out.
In a few seconds of time every bril-
gand of the band, their women as well,
are in the iron grip of the red-shirted
rescuers. or lying on the flags at their
feet, fast bound. and with sentries
standing over them.
One alone has as yet eluded capture
the chief. But he has not escaped,
nor can he. He will be taken as the
rest, though time may be occupied in
the taking OF him. He has not shewn
himself TO the assailants, but they
know where he is, or ought to be. Soon
as entering the courtyard, the leader of
the red-shirts, with the Torreanis-
Tomasso and the young Englishman
guiding them-draw up before door
and window.
The door is presently drawn wide
open, and the desperate robber stands
fair and square centrally between the
posts.
But not yet is the whole Of his body
seen, only its outlines. For in front of
it is another body-a fair form robed in
white-Lucetta Torreani!
har icf
he holds her in close embrace to his
breast, while in his right hand, raised
aloft, they see shining stiletto!
For a time there is silence; father,
Brother, and friend half frenzied and
speechless in their impotent anger. 1t
is broken by the bandit himself, say
ing, in a voice cool as though he were
addressing a committee who had call
ed upon him to seek some concessions:
"Gentiluomi! I know who and what
you are; am equally wei laware that
you have me in your power, and are
thirsting for my blood-impatient to
spill it. Well, l suppose you will; and
won't be satisfied till you do. But if
you do, you shan't spill it alone. 1t
will go down on this floor mingled with
hers I hold in my arms"
The speech sends thrill of horror
through the hearts of all hearing it.
None can mistake the meaning. For
with the words he has lowered his right
hand, and now holds the dagger in
front of the girls body, with its point
touching her bosom.
Again, there is an interval Of silence,
so profound that the ticking OF the
clock can be distinctly heard outside.
II seems like that of a death-watch,
heralding the event all are in dread of.
This time it is the leader of the red
shirts who puts an end to the ominous
stiffness.
What would you?" he asks, in a
voice betraying terrible evaporation,
with difficulty held in restraint. What
want you?"
conditions, of course" returns the
bandit Il need not tell you that the
terms I require are cheap and easy.
sTwould i'll become me, circumstanced
as / am, to make them exorbitant.
ask only life for myself and followers
with leave to go free, whithersoever 1t
pleases US. Promise that on your hon
ors, and the things settled at once. l
know who you are and can trust you.
Were it the hireEng soldiery of his
Holiness, I'd propose a different way of
dealing. With you 1 won't haggle.
Give your engagement to do as l have
said, and this sweet captive-however
much may dislike surrendering her
shall be yours in ten seconds time, to
carry back to her Borrowing parent,
and whoever else may be grieving for
her Now, signori! I've set the alter
natives before you, and you can take
your choice.
EITHER Of them enough to make one
mad,' whispers Garibaldi to his friend,
Francesca TorreanL. in a voice quiv
ering with rage subdued. Never in his
life's xperience-through all his South
American campaign, from which he
has but lately returned-has his noble
heart been so chafed-so terribly tor
tured. His anger. honest as that of
the lion, is nevertheless rage; but, re-
straining it. he adds. still speaking TO
the elder TorTeani:
IT'S like turning ones back upon
God, TO let this red-handed criminal
escape. But there seems no help for it
What sa yyou, francesca"
The fathers answer may be easily
guessed. But it is neither heard. nor
spoken. Before ne can give it, a cry
comes forth from the room-a shrek
Of widest intonation-succeeded by
sroans. AT the same time the captive
girl comes rushing towards the win
dow, no longer in the bandits embrace,
but alone. he who late held her seen
PROSTATE on the floor behind, while
bending aboy him is a woman Of mas
culine form, with an aspect of an aven-
ger-a very Nemesis-who holds in.
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