Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-09-11

closed is the Ave hundred lira. BY
and then to Immeo Heaven bless you
my men. (Signed) Roderico.' That
was all but, 1t held forth to me thous
and conjectures, a thousand surmises
each more wild and more varied than
the other.
Every word. every letter, was
blazing question mark. Why?-
Why?
why should q count come to Amer.
lea, steal the child Of a poor man and
pay gladly for It? Why should he
then seek escape across the sea and
bless the men who had aided him?
1T was almost certain that he
would not 60 to his estates in Immeo.
l must trail him, track him from
country to country. That night I
left for New York. In Liverpool !
found he had gone to London, in Lon
don searched and struggled to at
last learn he had departed for Edin-
burgh. The child was with him. Then
knew that he was leaping from city
to city even as a rabbit leaps from
clump OF grass to clump OF grass to
evade his pursuers Edinburgh led to
Chantilly. Chantilly to Paris. There
for two weeks lost him. Then came
the clue which sent met to Berne.
It was In the shadow Of the snow
capped Alps upon little rustic
bridge which crossed q tumbling
mountain torrent that I found the
man that had chased SO many thous-
and miles.
Deep set of eye. kindly Of feature.
tall and aristocratic In appearance. he
was somewhat different than the man
whose description had followed. He
led a little girl as he walked along
talking to her playfully. patting her
hands now and then. and once in a
while lifting her joyously into his
arms and kissing her That little girl
was Rosita Cassanelli-but what q
difference! The ragged clothes of
the slums had changed to ones Of
the finest texture. A golden necklace
from which was suspended q great
glowing amethyst encircled her neck
Shoes OF the finest make were on her
feet. Every item Of her dress and ap-
pearance were of elegance. For . mo-
ment l hesitated, unbelisving that this
could be the person l had sought.
that this could be the girl who once
lived In the narrow confines Of Chica-
gos Little Italy. At last l started
forward and bending as though to tie
a vagrant shoe-lace, whispered the
name of 'Rosita,' into the child's ear.
"A frightened look crossed her
countenance and she seemed to cling
more tightly to the hand Of the man
by her side. Count lmmeo looked
downward and rose to meet his
glance.
"'Well? he asked, and there was
anger In his voice. what do you mean
by frightening the child?
II smiled at him. Does her real
name easily frighten her?' asked.
"'Her real name? A perplexed
frown showed on his forehead.
"'What-'
"'What do I mean by calling her
Rosita?' asked.
"'Rosita?' he almost gasped
Exactly I answered. the letter
you wrote from New York enclosing
Ave hundred lira as payment for the
kidnapping Of this child was fortu.
nate-or unfortunate-enough to fall
into the hands Of the police. Now.
count said showing my badge. I
would like to know why you kid.
mapped the child Of a poor shopkeep-
er and brought her here to Switzer.
land bestowing upon her every at.
fection. yet knowing that you risked
prison in doing So
The man had turned pale. He
stood for moment regarding me In
wonderment. his arms sncircling the
form OF the little girl as II to shield
her. The eyes seemed to sink further
back into his head than ever.
"'You followed. thenr he asked
huskily.
THAT Is evident was my answer.
and l am liable to follow farther un-
less gain the information that seek.
More than that, there may be little
question OF international law as re-
CARDS your coming back to the United
States as a prisoner
He took step backwards? "A
prisoner he half cried. "A prisoner
for stealing my own child? Yes.
laugh he burst forth-laugh and say
I lie. But she IL mine. She
will tell you no more he half growled
at me. I will tell you no more
Il stepped toward him and laid a
determined hand on his arm.
"'You'll make the fullest Of e1-
planations.' said. slowly, because I
have made my arrangements for your
arrest should I need it. As far as the
law knows, this child Is the daughter
Of Antonio Cassanelli. . shopkeeper
Of Chicago
"'The child L. mine!' he answered
almost Historically. Mine! Mine!
Mine! What have l given up money
for all these years? What have
searched for and worked for and plot
ted for
"'You plotted thenf burst In.
Count Immeo started to reply,
then his feverish eyes. sweeping the
bridge. he saw those that might hear
and his lips closed. He whirled and
taking the child into his arms beck
oned me to follow.
Twenty minutes later I stood In q
locked room of q hotel watching q
nervous man as he paced up and