The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-13

thunder rumbled with hoarss and solemn sound. 8
 As she gazed down upon the platform she saw a ngure glide shostlfke along and pause by a cannon mounted at the further extremity, Just then the sem try Jassed below her window. and she saw the point of his haiberd slowing with pale. luminous fire that seemed to waver over it as if just alighting. His companion of the watch came up to him and on the point of his halbsrd al- so shone the same weird fiame--the St. Elmo's fire.
 santa Maria" said the first, ewhnt is abroad for tonight See you the death- glow on your halberdr
 Aye responded the other. land there glows the like upon yours--what does this portendr'
 "I know not" was the response; but saw you just now a figure glide along in the darknessT
 indeed did. It vanished just by the old gun there--the one they say is haunted" A wild gust swept down the mountain gorge and in the distance loud peal of thunder sounded, while a vivid flash of lightning lit up the giant mountains with an unearthly light and seentsd to play around the towers and battiements of Udolpno. Santa Maria, ora pro nobis," eJuculated the sentries, 
 watch togetherf"
 As they passed on Emily closed her easement and withdrew to the com- panionship of her own gloomy thoughts yet even as she left the window she thought she heard again that ghostly strain of music amid the tumult of the gathering storm. Emily was in such an agitated state of mind that she threw herself, dressed as she was, on the bed and heard the castle clock strike be. fore she fell into fitful slumber From this disturbed sleep she was awak ened by a noise within the chamber, and springinE to her feet she saw the door on the mysterious stairway open and the Count Morano, who had pursued her in Venice, standing before her. Emily attempted to flee by the door leading to the corridor, but the Count seized her hand and prevented her.
 "Why all this terror?" he said "I come not, Emily. to alarm you, but to rescue you. I love you, love you too well for my own peace"
 "Then leave me, sir," said Emily, re- covering herself. Leave me instantly"
 Tt shall not be so," replied Morano. ''Know that Montoni is a villain-a vil- lain who would have sold you to me!'
 And he Is less e william who would have bought mel" retorted Emily.
 II lose time" said the Count. T came not to exclaim against Montoni. Yet his schemes are terrible. I warn you. Mon toni has plans for your future more profitable to him than selling you to me Fly. then, with one who adores you My carriage waits below. Through bribing the warden have obtained ac- cess to you and have provided for your safe escape.
 Excitedly and ferventIy as the Count poured out his love, painting the 4. erir ri nf ranaaininR longer at Udolpho and begging her to Ny, Emi- ly remained steadfast in her refusal. Al they stood thus the deer of the apart ment was burst open and Montoni rush ed into the room, followed by the o!c steward and several attendants Sworos were instantly drawn and Montoni ano the Count, fighting furiously, gradually made their way into the corridor, where they continued the combat, Monton threatened any one who interfereo. Morano received a wound that caused him to fall back into the arms or . servant and Montoni would nave dls' l. matched him had not his arm been stay ed by one of his guests who stood by | He finally consented that the oadlI wounded man should be taken to cot taRe in the neighb orhood and aftei heaping reproches and accusations on | Emily he left the presence or the ois tracted girl.
 The next morning Montoni departed on one of his forays. He was not, a Emily supposed. captain of banditti though for all practical purposes h' might have been. He was . oonspiratol against the State of Venice and had l taken into his pay a body of condot teiri, mercenary soldiers made up Q all nationalities, who at that time wen about in the disturbed stAte or AtalI | selling their services to the. htghes | bidder. Though nominally making wa