Year: 1877

- NScP Oog WluNON III Tue Wce


room of the Castle del Sorrento he'll


two figures, that shaddowed clea


and distinct in the bright rays of
, clear October moon. One was of
youthful cavalier, with profusion o
dark curls shading an olive brow an,
| cheek. The other was that of a fai


haired girl, whittier in the moonlight
and whose soft low tones contraste,
J strangely with the passionate voice o
the youth.


at is in vain, Julio" she said, soft
ly. "My grandfather has threatened
me with Imprisonment in the loves
cell of the castle, if l do not receive
the Count as my husband. an
watched momentarily by that horri6
Montani, whom my grandfather EN-
ploys, l believe, expressly because
dislike him SO much; whom have only
eluded now because he believes me fast
asleep in my chamber"


''And there is no hope, Armida?"


None Julio. This hour must be
our farewell. Think of me sometimes
in the lonely cell to which l am doom
ed; for, believe me, will never marry
the Count


Nor shall the cell be your portion,
dearest! Trust me, l will find some
way to help you avoid it."


''Ah, Julio, you know not the reso-
lutte character of my grandfather.
Once determined upon a matter, he
will move heaven and earth to accom-
plish his wishes. 1t was SO with my
poor mother, whom he married to a
man older than himself; and / feel
sure that already the chain is tighten
ing around me-"


She looked mourDfully into his eyes,
with such an expression of keen, un-
mitigated anguish at that moment, that
Julio's heart was more deeply touched
by her sorrow than his own 1t was a
hard fate indeed-that of a sweet, child
ish thing like Armida, with no slterna-
tiv. from prison save that of marry
ing an old and disagreeable man. For
Luani was of stern, unyielding and
dictatorial disposition; and Armida
knew how unceasing would be his
watch upon her every look and word.
Better a hut in the Alpine solitudes
with Julio Adimari, than the splendid
palace of Lnani with its morose and
selfish master.


Armida's grandfather, the Count
Carat, had become very poor for some
cause unknown to the public or even
his own family. Men whispered that
the confidential servant, Montani, held
rod above his head for some deed
committed long ago, and that the
drain upon the old mans estates found
its way into the pockets of Montani.
1t was well known that the latter held
sharp oversight upon Armida, and
that he was eager that she should
marry the rich old count who claimed
her hand upon the strength of her
grandfather's promise.


Years ago, the Count CARAT, in a
moment of uncomfortable rage and
jealously, had killed one who had been
his bosom friend, but who had crossed
him in an affair very near to his heart.
Montani was the only witness to the
deed, which was performed in the dark
forest belonging to the Donati castle,
where Montani was keeper. The
Count succeeded by dint of extrava-
CANT promises, in winning him away
from Donsti, and securing him in his
own service; but he had in turn be
come Montani's slave. Knowing that
he could at any time bring him to
ignominy, he was forced to submit to
the most ballying and humiliating re
straints from his own servant. Mon
tani knew bis advantage and pursued
it without mercy. The scheme of
marrying the young Arrnida to the
Connt originated solely with him.
Carani's purse was running low. and
the estate was already heavily sadiled
with debt. Montani's hopes for OBJ
tanning money in future were at low
ebb, when suddenly the Count Luani
appeared to raise his dropping spirits
by falling in love with the grandchild
of his friend.


Already had Armida's heart been
touched by the mute devotion display
ed in the eountenance of Julio Ad
mari. Both young in years, and timid
from the strict seclusion in which they
had lived, they exchanged no word of
love, until the terrible announcement
Of her grandfather's wishes sent Ar
mida. pale and fearful. 20 consult her
only friend, how best to avoid the
coming evil. This interview disclosed
to them the state Of their own and
each others hearts, and for while
they lost sight Of their unhaPpiness;
but at the meeting above recorded,
Armida's apprehensions could not be
concealed; Count Carat having that
morning threatened to confine her un
til she was ready to submit TO his
decision. Monnni had desired him TO
do this; and the poor old count, haunt
ed by his crime and haunted down By
bis implacable enemy, had consented
to employ any means to oring
Armifa to terms, that Montani s avar'
ice might suggest.


1t was evening when Montani him
self led ArInida to the tower which he
had threatened. She looked around
the room. to which a small lamp gave
feeble lighr. A table on which it
stood held a jar of water and basket
of thin eikes.


A small couch was the only bed pro-
vided for her, and this was hard enough
to suit the strictest anchorite. There
was a brazier, in which Goals were
smouldering; but the warmth was
doubtful. Armida looked out OF the
window. The small crescent moon
showed her a lake beneath the tower.


A boat was upon the lake, and her
heart told her that the fisherman who
guided its oars was Julio himself.


Fortunately she bad o pencil and