The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-13

groan filled the air Leave the room'' shouted Monton And as for these fool , tricks-I will soon discover by whom they are practiced."
 That night as Emily passed along the corridor near her chamber she was sud- denly seized by one of Montonis conn panions, the Signor Verezzi. who began to pour out a torrent of protestations of | undying love, and gave her to under i, stand that Montoni had sent him on his mission.
 Breaking away from the man with a
 mighty effort the terrified girl flew to her chamber and barred the door before
 his unsteady steps could follow her She spent the night in 8 state ofsgrief and terror, and had scarcely regained her self-possession when Annette came 10 her room the next morning and told her that Ludovico had discovered that tine
 music she had heard was made by a French prisoner who was confined in q dungeon the window of which opened on
 the platform below. Ludovico had made arrangements to discover further concern ing the prisoner, and would report that
 night to Emily. Emily was not surprised when a little later she received a sum mons to attend once more on Signor
 Montoni. He received her as before, sternly, and again demanded that she
 sign the paper. If she did she would be sent back to France. Verezzi would be allowed to trouble her no further, and she need fear nothing from any other of the Signors wild companions. If she refused--
 Emily was at last unnerved. overcome 1 by the imminence of the danger which surrounded her-and signed. No sooner had she done so than Montoni, lowing sarcastically, said: "Mademoisele, it was necessary to de- titN fA md | consider your fate.'
 The girl was aroused by this deception
 to an anger which overcame her fears and haughtily confronting Montoni said: You, sir will find my firmness here after a match for your cruelty and du-
 plicity." But in the seclusion of her own
 room she gave way to tears.
 When Ludoyico came that night he was full of important information. Under pretext of carrying jug of water into the dungeon he had gained admittance
 to the prison of the Frenchnan. He
 would not intrust mo with his name,
 Mademoiselle." said the faithful fellow, ''but when I mentioned yours he was overwhelmed with joy and bade me give you this miniature" He handed Emily d picture of herself which. as she remem- bered at once she had once lost in the fishing house.
 "It is Monsieur Valancourt." cried An nette And Emily herself had no further doubt as to the identity of the prisoner. ''I will see him again, lady" said Ludo- vice. and if 1t can be arranged will you
 receive him-say here in this corridor? l There can be safer place. Emily consented with an eagerness which she tried in vain to dlssemble, and the idea of meeting Valancourt once more dominated her thought, though not to the exclusion of an apprehension of the perils which surrounded her.
 Whatever design Montoni had against Emily was delayed for q time by an at
 tack on the castle made by body of gov ernment troops sent to suppress the ban ditti who held it. for such the band of Montoni had become. But the force sent
 was small and the attack was beaten off. The victory was celebrated by wild orgies.
 the tumut of which Emily could hear ringing through the castle. While the revels were at their height Annette an nounced that Iudovico was coming with the French prisoner.
 Emilys emotion was so great that when she heard Ludovico give the ap- | pointed signal outside her chamber she | opened the door and crying 'Valancourt! l fell fainting into the arms of-a stranger. l '.I see'' said the stranger. when An 1 nette had revived her mistress. that it | was another whom you expected to meet. But permit me at least to offer you such l aid in your distressed situation s pris- | oner may My name is Du Pont. My | family is not unknown to you They live near La Valee. I have long loved you. 1 though you knew it not: and I used to | haunt the little fishing house by the river
 where l had the felicity of playing on
 your lute and where I found the minia-
 ture l have restored to you.'