Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-09


 building, she joyously exclaimed: "Oh, there is Pietro. I will tell himi" But Pietro wasn't there when she finished her sentence. He darted into a nearby court, and was to be seen no more. Francesca was visibly am noyed. That evening she pleaded with me to remain at home, but I had a special engagement. As I went out cautioned the night porter to let no one disturb her.
 I had previously ordered a carriage; it was waiting at the curb. I stepped forward, and, stopping over, pulled open the door. That instant a pair of long, bony hands pushed through the aperture and clutched me by the throat. With strength that seemed to be Herculean was dragged inside, bound hand and foot, and gagged.
 "Maleditto!" exclaimed the.one with the fingers in a guttural ,snari, and I recognized the voice--of the old signor. The other was Pietro. Thelatter slid out, climbed to the box, and lashed the horses intofa gaIlop. .t} I tried to cry out, but with the gag was dumb. Fancy my state of mind.
 Finally we brought up before a for distinguishing house in a narrow, de- serted street, and I was lifted to the curb. The horses were given their heads, and as they wandered aimlessly away into the night was roughly seized, carried in through dark-hall- way, down a narrow passage to a squalid, dingy room, where Twas de- posted on the floor. Pietro locked the door after us, then said something to the signor in Italian that made therold man grow1 with fendishapprova1 The latter, turning to me with a sardonic leer, muttered: "Make happy ze mo- ments; it ees few" Both went.out through another door, and I heard the bolt slide into place. They were going to murder me, and do it with diabolical finesse. I was given the tortures-of anticipa,. tion while they leisurely discussed the method. My thoughts wouldn't come cohesive1y, for my brain grew soggy and obstinate and refused to compre- hend.
 All at once, as if struck with a blow, Francesca came into my head. Fran cesca! Icould see her, at home, tucked in her dainty bed; her beautiful face nestIed softly against the pillow.
 But the bolt clicked, the dooropened and my executioners had returned With stea1thy, catlike movement tst they approached me; was helped to my feet and placed upright in an angle of the room. Pietro glided back, leav- ing the old signorstanding before me; his hard, rigid face set; in his eyes the cold, sinister gleam of pent-up hate and ferocity.
 | Facing me, and assuming the dignity of Roman judge, he proceeded in a solemn, vibrating voice: 'sNo man. can 1eeve who deeshonor ze name Pauli. Francesca, my honor, my love, zesteaL To-day she ze meestris, tomorrow worse. Ze play ze game -ze lose I kill you"
 Leaningforward with nor, I thought he wassabout to plunge the blade into my heart How I strained for speech but, thegag, was dumb. An, why did he not strike! was dying a. thousand deaths.
 For an instant there was the still ness of the tomb; then the rumbling wheels of a carriage sounded from without Suddenly this stopped, avoice called ssWhoai'' Then the pattering of fastmoving feet in. the passageway; somebody violently grasped the knob of the door to the room-it would not open.
 The signor and Pietro stood breath- less, transfxed.
 A key scraped in the lock, the door flung back; on the threshold stood Francesca.
 eMatre di Dio!s hoarsely breathed the old man.
 Francesca, scantily attired, hair dis heveled, her eyes abbaze with a fever ish glow, her cheeks whiter. than-ala- baster
 My heart gave.a great throb of joy. "A moments hesitation, and she grasped the meaning of the scene be- fore her in one overwhe elming inn pulse With heartrending cry of an guish she leaped forward, seized the signor's hand, and fell on her knees before him.
 Father! father! For the love of Jesus spare him! Kill me mo, waity See what have got! Wait, father; that's good father!" She fumbled in her bosom and drew forth a paper. ''There, father, see; he's my love, my lifei"
 Back, child; zee ees my deeshonor, I kill him!" he replied, as he spurned her from him.
 Frantic with alarm, she rushed up to Pietro. e'Pietro, my brother, you love me-see, read! I am his wife
 Pietro took the paper reluctantly, glanced at it slseptically y -sudd denly gave start and read eagerly.
 Father! father!" he almost screamed stComeIcok! it is a. mar riage certificate!"
 With hurried stride the old man was at his side. They examined the document with almost frenzied cum