Year: 1877

"A Qeep Oay window In the west


room of the Castle del Sorrento held
two figures, that shadowed clear and
distinct in the bright rays of clear
October moon. One was of youth
full cavalier, with a profusion
of dark curls shading an
olive brow and cheek. The other


was that of fair haired girl, whittier
in the moonlight, and whose soft
tones cdntrasted strangely with the
passionate voice of the youth.


at is vain, Julio" she said softly.
"My grandfather has threatened
me with Imprisonment in the lowest
cell of the castle, if l do not receive
the Count as my husband. | am
watched momentarily by that hor-
rid Montani, whom my grandfather
employs, l believe, expressly because
| dislike him so much; whom l have
only eluded now because he believes
me fast asleep in my chamber"


Sand is there no hope, Armida?"


"None Julio. This hour must be
our farewell. Think of me some
times in the lonely cell to which 1
am doomed; for, believe me, L viii
never marry the Count" !"


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


"Ah, Julio, you know not the res
olute character of my grandfather.
Once determined upon matter he
will llmove heaven and earth to ac-
eomplish his wishes. 1t is so with
my poor mother, whom he married
to man older than himself; aud l
feel sure that already the chain is
Tightening around me.


She looked mournfully into his
eyes, with such an expression of
Keen unnitigsted 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 sweet, childish thing
like Armida, with no alternative
from a prison save that of marrying
an old and disagreeable man. For
Luani was of stern, unyielding and
pictorial disposition; and Armida
knew how unceasing would be his
watch upon her every look and
word. Better hut in the Alpine
solitudes with Julio Adimari, than
the splendid palace of Luani 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 whis-
pered that the confidential servant
Montani, held rod over 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 gas we'll
known that the latter held a 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
moment Of uncomfortable rage and
jealousy 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 on
ly witness to the deed, which was
performed in the dark forest be-
longing to the Donati castle,
where MOntani was keeper. The
Count succeeded by dint of ex-
travagant promises in winning him
away from Donati, and securing
him in his own service; but he
had in turn become Montani's slave.
Knowing that he could at any time
bring him to ignominy, he was fore
ed TO submit to the most ballying
and bumiliatng restraints from his
own servant. Montani knew his
and pursued it without
mercy The scheme of marrying
the young Armida to the Count
originated mainly with HIM. Car
ani'S purse was running low, and
the estate was already heavily sad
died With debt. Montani's hopes
for obtaining money in the future
were at low ebb, when suddenly !
the Oonnt 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 NIUE devotion dis
played in the countenance Of Julio
Adinari. Both young in years, and
timid from the strict seolusion in
which they had lived, they exchang-
ed no word of love, until the terri |
BILE announcement of her GRANDPA
theirs wishes sent Armida, pale and |
fearful, to consult her only friend,
how best to avoid the coming evil.
This interview disclosed to them the
state of their own and each others