The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-24

His path was by way of an old well. the water of which could be turned on or shut off at pleasure. After a perilous journey she found the demented man in a cave under a great stone which was known in the neighborhood as the Stone of Terror It marked the site of a vil- lage that had been burned by one of AL bert's ancestors in the old religious wars of the Hussites.
 There in that subterranean dungeon, where attended only by a half-witted dwarf, Albert had shut himself up alone to give free play to his wild and weird fancies. Consuelo exerted all her powers over his clouded mind and brought him back to the castle, if not entirely sane, at least so much improved that the fam fly was content. "You have restored my sons reason by your remarkable powers over him." said old Count Christian, ''and l not only give my consent for your un- ion, but ask 1t of you as a favor to the family. You and you alone can keep him from the depths"
 Albert improved daily. and soon the last vestige of his malady seemed dissipated. The marriage of the heir of Rudolstadt with the unknown singer was looked upon as something to be taken for granted. But again and again Consuleo asked her self If she really loved Albert And again oiid d3 dii iicdll BdNt lO utliHlle re- ply.
 One day she was told that her broth CT had arrived and was awaiting her in the reception hall. Filled with anxiety and half guessing what was to happen she went to the room and saw sitting there with impudent, nonchalant air Anzoleto! He had ended his career in Venice by a quarrel with Zulistiani, and after capsizing the counts gondola t,, Nffxt.f fxa 1,.lx l. 4f the false Gorilla, had fled to Germany. Travelling through the neighbour ood he had learned the gossip of the catle and in the Porpora" had recognized Consuelo.
 Consueio saw the Venetian alone. and the willy man gave full scope to his eloquence, reproache ed himself for the past, humbled himself hypocritica1- ly, wept related his torments and de- spair and implored that Consuelo would take him again to her heart. But Con suelo saw through his protestations and despised him. At the same time she was frightened to find that some thing in her heart spoke as it had never spoken in the presence of Albert. Yes, after all, there was a lingering love for Anzoleto within her bosom. But she summoned all her resolution and would not give way to it.
 I nave dlItduy you, Sdll she "and I wish to hear no more. 1 thank you for the kindness which prompted you to delay your journey with a view to reconciliation, but your pardon was already granted. So now adieu."
 What" cried Anzoleto, "am I to leave you so? I will tell your new lover that of which he is not yet aware. He will hardly dispute you with an actor, your friend, your equal. your brother, your lover. An, do not drive me to despair or"
 what. Threats? returned Con- suelo. At last I have found you out. Anzoleto. I rejoice at it and l thank you for raising the mask. I shall re- gret and pity you no more. I re- cognize your baseness and your hate ful love. But unless you are as ex- pert in calumny as in insult you can say nothing to make me blush."
 As she turned to leave the room the door opened and Count Christian ap- peared The girl was loath to betray Aif- zoleto. In spite of all, little of her old love for him remained. She despised herself for it, but she must have time to think-to consider all sides of the prob lem which was now presented to her So, introducing the treacherous Venetian as ner brother. she made bis stay in the castle possible and Anzolsto was not slow