Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

(lain. nh the .lnnHntt leaver are merry, ° Vn,l the blow nalnfc bthks 1m kl<l, '..tyor ’s too roujth for the ferry, P, \n!l the sky i* low and sad, , the dairies elirtke with laughter V J he surly wind oe by, , ' know wltftt is hurrying after, % they wateU the ditn, gray k,y, r . loverrt am roSt.v with saying— T ,• liutterenps bend to hear) At 'be patient, it's oalv delaying— ‘ * Jl( i, for it* very near!” TheMnshintr pimpernel closes, it isn't becasseil gtleves— , (I( , u -ti in the garden the roses s'niil® oUt froni of leaves! „! cla<lwess has stirred the flowers!’ hO yA rhibir<*i only coniplsin: , it, t hat fs the tise of showers?” ‘ why does it ever t/h in?” Margaret, D-.lwiul in St. Nicholas. lit Fiskrm of Ijli. by ALEXANDRE DUMAS “SeT” “2*o! no I” repotted all the others, “not vou hate -nlready lied to an entire people” The fire of h<Cf red showed i® ithe viceroy’s ■eve. ' He contained himself,however,tremblingly y t/cd the paper, and leaned back against the wall, in ord#s.\ apparently, the better to -peruse it. A momentr of solemn fsdknro followed. All that was heard was the confused mur mur of the crowd, and tin noise made by the muskets and partisans ok the stone flooring of the palace. Suddenly a panel of tthe wall yielded be hind the-Duhe of Ancoe. Ho glanced at the crowd of men before him, gave a loud, sawlonic yell, and disap- peared. Masaniello tried in vain to follow. A bnui jrtred arms struck, in Turn, at the secret door Ithrough which tike viceroy passed. But .the panel yielded not. The insurgents could -but just perceive the .joint, after they had torn down the Astrakhan leather with whiofe the wall was covered. Cries of “Treachery! To armsl” now re sponded on all sidiK-. Masaniello leaped*on the carved-oak stable which stood in the middle of the roam. In one hand ho hethi his poniard, and in 1 tha other the paper containing his decrees. “The Dukj vtf Arcos has fledf’ said he. “So much tha bettor, for he only knew how to pillage, assassinate and betray. The peo ple are intelligent enough to govern for thorn selves, and ■strong enough to defend the independence they have conquered. I de clare that Philip: the Fourth, king orf -Spain, has forfeited the throne of Naples, both he and his descendants! Long live our Lady and our liberty!” “Long live our leader! long live Masani ello I” added the insurgents. Masaniello *ms carried in triumph-to the terrace in front of the chamber in which the scene we have, just related took place. The streets were filled with noisyand mot ley crowds ct: women, peasants, fishermen and lazaroni, who were rejoicing over their victory, and •singing their national songs. The combat, had ceased, a aid not aa soldier was to t>e seen anywhere. They hud all taken refuge ..in the CasteS-Nuovo, on the towers of which they were already .pointing their cannon*, against a people intoxicated with joy. An immean shout ran throughout;the city when the Neapolitan flag was seen float, ing on the terrace f the Vienna. But a greater one still was raised he who had planted it there was recognized. It was Masaniello. He motioned the people to be silent. “No more Spaniards!” cried he. “Long liw Masaniello, the head of the people 1” replied the multitude. “No more taxes!” “Long live Masaniello!” “No more tin rants! Hertneftsrtfc the (motto of Naples shall bo ‘Christ and Liberty:” ” “Christ iuidi Liberty I” repeated the ienthu siastic peopkg in voices of thunder. The fisherman returned to the .oc-uncil chamber, called around hina the leaders ol the revolt, ordered them to keep thejpeople under arms, fct place sentinels at the cornora ■of the streets, and to cut off the aqueducts leading to tho.Oastel-Nuovo. Then he drew up a proclamation, in which the lifo and property of every -one was pro claimed sacred , and in which those who*com mitted tho slightest act of pillage oare threatened with instant death. At this moment Dorn Francesco <enterejd. “We are victorious, father,” said Masa niello. “The treacherous Duke -of Areos.has fled.” “Let him goJVreplied the monk, "and .tell his master that.the people of Naples will .ac longer bear a foreign yoke, and that they have .regr.i ned uU .their rights and liberty.* “Yw," added Masaniello; “lot him gQ, though he takes.with him my last hope—my only Jove!” “You weep, my son!” exclaimed thecnonk, who was still ignorant of the dreadful secret which ("iaivator Rosa had divulged. “Francesco,” said Masaniello, “one .day has sufficed to destroy .all my happiness.* “What.do you mean:?” “This voting girl I.loved” | “Weill” “For whom I would .sacrifice all* my Ufa, my liberty—is Isabella, the daughter of the Duke of Arcoss” “Unfortunate man!”.exclaimed the monk. Abundant tears ran doom the fisherman's sunburned cheeks. “All is lost!” murmured the monk. “No! no!” exclaimed Masaniello. “Liberty is too precious a thing to be thus abandoned; it must be conquered by tears and suffering. Were it even to kill rue, I .would tear from ray heart the love I have .conceived —that monstrous passion which was to unite the man of the people .and the daughter of the tyrant.” “Will you have the strength to do this, ray son?” “Yes, father; the field of liberty must often bo watered with our tears as well as with our blood.” “May heaven bless your efforts, Masa niello 1 Man is weak. Remember that the look of a woman may break the sword grasped by the firmest hand. Isabella must leave without your seeing her again.” “Oh! there is nothing more in common with me and the despot's daughter,” replied the fisherman. Thtfn he added, in a voice choked w'itb emotion: “But where could I see her? Who knows what has become of her? Perhaps ■ But no! I must have but one thought now, since *uch is the will of heaven. The enemy of tb Duke of Arcos must bo the enemy of hia daughter. Adieu I father, adieu!” CHAPTER XIII. THE ABBET OF SANTA CHIARA. Bom Francesco had scarcely quitted the palace when Pietro appeared. “What news of the Duke of Arcos?” asked Masaniello. • ' . “His standard is floating on the donjon of the Castel-NuovQ. But it & ot tbere ttiat "" ' ..... - %—*•**• *• onr most formidable ene*ny is to be found Corcelli has assembled his men at the gate of the Marina, ami demands an hour’s pil lage. " • “A!i II Signore Corcelli wants to pillage Naples,” murmured Masaniello. “He wants to recover on terra firma the ducats swal lowed up by the ocean; but he has n<> longer to do with his old acqualntaiivvh the sbirri of the viceroy, rascals who well- ever ready to effect a compromise. lie shall leave Naples and her territory to-morrow or 1 will have him tracked like a wild beast. But aro our comrades sUll ta the palace, Pietrof ’ “Yes.” “Armed?” “To the teeth." “Good. I will -s*e CorcellL As for you, return to the abbey of Santa Chiara, and toll my sister danne that I am in perfect safety. You must not be seen with me, for 1 want you to keep a watch on these brigands or.e night more, and they would mistrust you, if they knew we had been together.” “Is there no one else in Naples, Masaniello, who is deafl* to you?” asked Pietro. “Of whom would you speakf’ “Of the young girl who repaired the harm done us by the Duke of Arcos? ’ Masaniello turned pale, uad said in a trem bling voice: “Has anything happened to her?" “The people surrounded her carriage and dispersed her escort,” replied Pietro, “at the moment she was leaving the palace. Cor celli and 1 saved her, and, the Madonna I*© praised, Isabella is now out of danger, for -1 fcave taken her to" “Enough 1 enough I Pietro!” interrupted ’the fisherman; “I neither wish to sae this woman again nor to know the place of her retreat; return, therefore, to the abbey and let Isabella be restored to her family; l will join you an hour hence.” Masaniello took up his musket, assermbled his men, placed himself at their head and left tho Vicaria. He was triumphantly re ceived by the crowd assembled without; every voice blessed him and every hand sought his. He passed slowly through the enthusiastic (multitude, repeating ,t every step: “Brothers! let us becalm and moderate in our victory, and show ourselves worthy of the liberty we have just guine-d. Let ns even respect the property and persons of those who (have so long devoured the fruits of our lafaoh Do not let us give-our enemies the right to accuse us. Let ail,pillagers be seized and executed instantly. The which the people have founded must be re spected.” “Death to all pillagers!” immediately re sounded on all sides. “Paolo,” continued Masaniello, turning to a lazaroni, “take five hundred of your most de termined comrades, and go and occupy tlie sea shone between the horboraMid the Marina; do not -let a single one of Cornelli’s brigands pass. I* will march on them from the oppo site side. These men have some sinister pro ject in view.” While Paolo was executing these orders, Masaniello led an army of -fishermen across the market place, passed with them through the gate of tho Marina, and advanced toward CorceUi’s undisciplined horde of banditti. “Follow me,” said he to the captain, and he led him. into a neighboring.tavern. “Corcelli,” added he to the condottiene, “you nerved us usefully -this morning.” “Yae,” replied Corcelli, “I do not thinJc that, without me, you would have put the Spaniards to flight with your oranges, pome granates and watermelons.” “We must now think -of restoring order among? the people, whoa© worst passions are let loose.” “Halloo! why you’ve soon learned the lan guage of his excellency, Monsignore the Duka of Arnos. Per Baccol With your torn hose, red sash and dirty jacket, you-make a charm ing little viceroy!” “T-.fl.iigh as much as you . like, Corcelli, but rest assured that you will -not leave Naples alive, .unless you obey the orders of the little viceroy who so much delights you.” “Diavolo! if you want-to be obeyed, you ought ...at least to |wiy. my. fine fellow ; but now that the galleon of Fernandez has blown up, where are all the ducateyou promised us? To what blockhead did you intrust this ex pedition? Oh! if I hail beam there! But you mistrusted me, Masaniello.” 5 “Your men will be paid.”’ “But Low, mio caro?” “That, concerns me.” “And what concerns me,- carissimo, is to take caitr that the doublets of my men are not riddled with bails, unless I see some means of .being able to replace them.” “What-do you propose doing, then?” “You are ignorant of the laws of war, my dear Masaniello, for you have never waged it but against tho doradoes and turbots of the bay. When a king, or a duke, or the smallest baron possible, has .employed the services ofn free company, and when he is unable to j>ay their captain, do you know what is the .means the latter has recourse to in order to fill tho bellies of his.men?” “No.” “Well, them, he pillages the people of the said king, duke or baron. And, by St. Jan uarius, I will /treat you as a viceroy, Masa niello.” “And, by the holy Madonna, J will have § r ou hanged in the market place.” Corcelli burst .into a loud laugh. “Sangue di Cristo!” exclaimed he, “the ;.Neapolitans hare done a fine thing. They .have now got a ragged fisherman for their master, instead <*f a Spanish grandee in an .embroidered doublet.” “And the will of .the people shall dje more respected than was that of the king in velvet doublet, and whose yoke we have just shaken .off,” said Masaniello. He;here led tho brigand to the window of .the tavern. “Look.!” continued be; “the shore is.cov ered with armed mem Your soldiers are “ Look!'' l continued he; “the shore is cov ered with armed men." surrounded by a circle of iron. On a word or a sign from me you would all be mas sacred.” “Sacramento! wo have been betrayed” “Leave Naples instantly, and as soon as order is re-established i will pay you 20,000 ducats on your quitting the Neapolitan ter ritory.” Corcelli seemed to understand the danger which menaced him, for he immediately pro pared to obey Maxaniello’s orders. As soon as the bandits had disappeared Masaniello set out for the abbey, wuer* Pietro was waiting for him. When he arrived he found the abbess ready to receive him, and be was immediately con ducted to his sister. “Oh! welcome, welcome, my dear brother." said Jeanne, “the I>>rd has chosen you to ac complish great things, and 1 am proud to b called your sister." Masaniello smiled gently “Yes, we have accomplished great things." said Masaniello, “but 1 feel myself almost unequal to the arduous duties 1 have to ful fill." “Courage, brother, courage! Providence never abaudous those engaged in a good cause, ” added Jeanne, “but the daughter of the viceroy is here.” “Isabella here!” exclaimed Masaniello. “You must see and console her, for mis fortune has fallen ofl'tier family and she is In the greatest despair.” “Scelier! Oh, no, ft is impossible f" “Impossible! Oh! do you forget that it was she who came to our assistance when we wore weighed down by misfortune?” “Oh! yes; 1 well remember her uoble con duct.” “And because her father is at present pro scribed, because it is you who now rule at the Vicaria, you refuse to hear her? Oh! Masaniello, be not ungrateful.” “Pity!” murmured the fisherman. “Well, then, no!” added he, with an effort, “1 will not see her; there is too wide a stream of blood between us. Friendship ought not to unite those Whom warfare has made ene mies." Jeanne listened no longer to her brother, but raised a curtain, and Isabella appeared before Masaniello. “My father! my father!” exclaimed she, “what have you done with my father?” Masaniello drew back with affright, for Isabella was no longer tho gay, smiling leing he was wont to see, but her features wore pale and haggard, while her eyes were red with weeping. “The Duke of Arcos is in safety, noble lady,” replied the young tribune with an air of affected coolness. “He has taken refuge in the Custel-Nuovo.” “Heaven lie praised!” murmured Isabella, clasping her hands and looking upward. “And now,” added she, “what do you intend to do, Masaniello?” “Every tie is broken between Spain and Naples, between the executioner and his vic tim. Let not your father agair. attempt-to shed the blood of the Neapolitan people. All his endeavors to regain the power he has lost would be useless. Let him return to Madrid mnd leave us free." “Then—you drive us away.”’ “The dethronement of the king of Spain has been proclaimed. To-morrow, noble lady, -a bark wild conduct you to your father, -and you can then acquaint him with the resolution of the j>eople. ” “The Duke ef Arcos is of noble birth, and he-oertainly will not meat your wishes so easily as you seem to think. ” “Then let him prepare for war; we ur6 ready.” “it -it you *vho speak thus, Masaniello, you whom I lovo, you for w.hora I braved my father’s anger” “It is the people’s will,'”-interrupted Masa niello, “and 1 must obey .it”’ “The peeiple’s will 1 But are you not mas ter of Naples?” “Your father has 'already deceived us twice.” “Masaniello, no mere!” exclaimed the young girl. “I love yt?u” “Silence!” replied Masaniello; “the people sire watching at the gates, and their auger is inexorable; you will lose us both.” The young Spaniard approached Masani ello, and, leaning on .bis shoulder, said: “What are the conditions 1 am to carry to the .Castel-Nuoyo?” “1 have a,ready told.them to you ” “What .do I hear?” “Is it .not enough to grant the Duke of Ar <eos his life? Had he .conquered would ha have .spared us?” “Oh,you cannot Jsrve me!” said Isabella, with a look .that made Masaniello'* heart sink within him. “I listen but to my honor and my duty. Oh, could Tlisten to my love! Pity! pityl” “Then there is no more hope?” “Alas 1 !” “Be its©'!” replied the proud Spanish girl, drawing herself up to her full height. “The daughter of the Dukeof Arcos is sufficiently humiliated, without begging any longer. Henceforth let war and hatred reign be tween UK.” “AdieuT” murmured Masaniello. “Unhappy being that l am !” exclaimed tho young girl, whose heart was ready to burst at the thought of this eternal separation. And she threw herself into the arms of Masa niello, who felt her lips touch bis. “My head .swims,” gasped the unfortunate young man, “my resolution is giving way. Isabella, listen to rue.” “You are my lover, my affianced. Oh, drive me not from Naples; do not send me to die, inconsolable and in exile, far from you!” ■—and the* tears of the lovely Spaniard fell upon the face of Masaniello. “Oh, yes, to be separated from you would indeed be misery, my well beloved!’ ex claimed the fisherman. “Yes, the Duke of Arcos shall once more see how great is tho forbearance of the victorious. Pietro shall give you to-morrow the edicts I have pub lished ; your father can sign them, re-estab lish the charter of Charles the Fifth, .and re turn to his palace.” .Isabella still remained in the fisherman’s arms, bestowing on him tho most tender marks of gratitude. CHAPTER XIV ABDUCTION. Corcelli’s men took up their quarters at an inn in the faubourg of Lorette. As soon as they had entered Corcelli called for the land lord. “Wliat’s your name?” said he. “I am called 11 Cappucino, rnonsignore,” replied the tavern keeper, casting an uneasy glance around him. “Well, then, reverendissimo Cappucino,” said Corcelli, “serve us up a tub of olla po drida, lots of smoked hams and a cask of wine of Vesuvius. Do you hear?” “Yes, monsignore, I hear; your lordship wants a tub of olla podrida, lots of smoked hams and a cask of lacryma Cristi.” “Just so.” “But these things will cost rather dear.” “What does that matter? Masaniello, the head of the people, will pay.” “Hey!” said tho tavern keeper, shaking his head. Corcelli looked at his musket, leveled it at the tavern keeper, aud added: “Masaniello, I repeat, will pay.” The tavern keeper immediately withdrew, bowing to the ground. “Wo shall leave for the Apennines to night, you scoundrels,” said Corcelli, address ing his band. “You can all drink as much as you like, but those who get drunk will be left behind, and to-morrow they will be hanged.” Having said this, Corcelli sat down and be gan to fill his pipe, for be was a great smoker, iu spite of the laws of tho holy Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church. The cila podrida, tho hams and the wine #oon arrived, and the hungry band fell upon them like so many wild beasts. As soon as Corcelli had supped he beckoned to his two lieutenants and led them into the adjoining room. “We have, os you know.” said he, “bfen balked of the pillage we expected.” “Yes, duped?” interrupted a little old man of paternal appearance, and whose angular face wfis worn and haggard. This j>era>Hage had !>een nicknamed II Buon Padre, on accouut of the simplicity of his gestures and his unctuous way of speak ing We need not add that li Buon Padra was one of the most determined, avaricious and inexorable rascals of Corcelli’s band. “The Duke of Arco*," continued Corcelli “though he had a certain love for hanging ua. which, I believe, is traditional in hh family, was yet a very generous viceroy, who intrusted us, from time to time, with a lucrative expedition. Then the lords and ladies of the court sometimes honored us with their confidence If they wanted to calm a jealous husbaud or to correct a faith less lover, it was our poniards they employed in both cases But this cursed revolution, which we, like fools, hel[d to bring about, has deprived us of the best part of our reve nue.” “Then why did you lead us against the Spaniards?” replied II Buon Padre. “Did you not know that every kind of industry suffers in time of riot? All confidence is de stroyed, money there is nothing to be done on the road, and, per Bacco, w<4 condottieri die of hunger.” “11 Buon Padre is right,” added Marsupio, the second lieutenant. “A nobleman like tho Duke of Arcos, whose ancestors have inhab ited a castle on the top of a mountain for the last five centuries, and who have never had any occupation but that of slaughtering the monks and plundering all travelers, can un derstand a business like ours. He has some resj>ect for us gentlemen of the rhountains, and makes sbirri of us when we grow old and when the sharp air of the Apennines no longer suits our health. But these fishermen and peasants have neither pity nor consider ation for us." After having allowed his lieutenants to give free course to their bad humor, Corcelli said: “Masaniello has promised to pay me twenty thousand ducats, but the humbug will be. like enough to send down here five or six hundred fishermen armed with boat hooks, and to have us harpooned like congers. What do you think, Marsupio?” “1 think that viceroys in hobnails are more dangerous than those in velvet doub lets,” replied the lieutenant, pouring himself out a glass of wine, which he swallowed at one draught. “I have, therefore, determined,” continued Corcelli, “to leave this very uight, but before doing so" Here his voice became nearly -inaudible. “In a word, 1 know where to find a treas ure —two treasures —which i will carry off at any time.” “Ah I” said the two lieutenants—and they drew nearer to Corcelli, and looked him anx iously in the face. “But these treasures are locked up in an impenetrable house and protected by a strong guard. ” “Corpo Santo!” cried II Buon Padre and Marsupio together. ““In what house?” asked the latter. “In a convent” “And of how many soldiers does the guard consist?” “Of three hundred —nuns.” The captain and his two lieutenants burst into a loud laugh. “Ah, Corcelli!” said they, rubbing their hands, “what a jolly fellow you are! A convent to be stormed and three hundred nuns to be reduced to slavery! We shall keep the recollection of this night for a long time.” “Is the treasure heavy?” asked II Buon Padre. “Why, it is, and it isn’t; but let us get hold of it first, and we will count the ducats after ward. ” “You’re right.” “But I may as well tell you all,” added Cor celli. “You recollect that we took the daughter of the Duke of Arcos to the Abbey of Santa Chiara this morning?” “Yes.” “I know that Jeanre, the sister of Masa niello, is also staying in the same retreat; I will carry off these women, and, whichever may be tho party that triumphs, I shall be sure to receive a good ransom.” “W hat is the hour you have fixed on?” “Midnight.” “Good,” replied II Buon Padre. “We will go and direct our men to rub their arms up a little. For, suppose the nuns should resist! Hang it! wo must be prepared for every thing.” Corcelli and his two lieutenants remained some time longer in conversation, and then returned to the room in which their men were drinking, to give the signal to leave. The greatest confusion now prevailed among tho banditti The most intoxicated of them got up, uttering frightful oaths, as they tried to keep their equilibrium. Others sought after their arms, and when the ranks were at last formed it was discovered that Conrad, Salvator Rosa’s model, was still ly ing on tho floor, completely overcome with liquor. “Get up, you rascal,” said Corcelli, strik ing the ground with his foot. “I wand do ged indo de paggage vagons,” growled the drunkard. “Good uight, and good luck to you to-mor row morning!” said the captain. He placed himself at the head of his men, and soon arrived in the neighborhood of the Abbey of Santa Chiara. The banditti hid themselves in the masses of tho surrounding houses, while their cap tain went to reconnoiter tho convent. After examining the place for some time, he found a low chapel, with a slanting roof. He easily climbed up on the edge that raD round the top of the chapel, and looked in at the window in the roof. Tho abbess and several nuns were engaged in prayer efround the altar. CorcePi gave his men the signal to advance and a minute afterward the window was broken in, aud the glass of it fell with a loud crash on tho stone flooring of the choir. In spite of the rule which commanded the nuns to keep their eyes constantly fixed on the ground, they could not hinder themselves from turning their affrighted looks toward the place the noise came from. A man appeared on the edge of the win dow and jumped nimbly into the middle of the choir; twenty others followed, and took up their station on each side of the altar. The nuns did not move. Their duty, a? doubtless their fear, riveted them to theii places. They appeared as if under the influence of a frightful dream. Corcelli advanced toward the abbess, and made her a mock obeisance. II Buon Padre and Marsupio placed sen tinels at every outlet, so that no one might escape. “Venerable mother,” said Corcelli to the abbess, “permit a repentant sinner to kiss your hand.” And h took her band,"kissed a magnifi cent emerald which was on one of her fin gers, drew it off, and let it fall into the im mense pocket of his tunic. “Help, sisters, help!” cried the abbess. “Prepare your arms,” roared Corcelli, in a roice of thunder, “and shoot the first of these women who stirs or utters the least cry.” The nuns covered their faces with their veils; and then began a frightful scene of sacrilege and spoliation. The brigands had not half accomplished their work of pillage and destruction, when Corcelli, taking aside ten of his most de termined scoundrels, approached the abbess. “Have not two women taken refuge in your convent todayf’ inquired be. “Two women! 1 ’ stammered the abbess, whose head wus now confused by fear. “Yes —certainly—but of whom are you talking?’ “Of Isabella, the daughter of the Duke of Arcos, and of Jeanne, the sister of Masani ella You must deliver these two women up to us." “Oh! never! never!" exclaimed the abbess, wringing her hands. “Obey instantly, old woman!" replied Cor celli, striking the ground with his musket. “05c; \f instantly, old woman!" “No! it shall never be said that I gave up two young girls who had sought refuge in the sanctuary of my convent!" An instant afterward she fell back, wounded in the arm by a trust from Cor ceili’s poniard. “Where are they?” roared Corcelli, foam ing with rage. The abbess answered nothing. “Nuns of hell," exclaimed he, “will you de liver up to me Isabella, the daughter of the Duke of Arcos, and Jeanne, the sister of Ma saniello?" No voice returned an answer. Corcelli repeated his question. Then an old sister advanced, and taking God to witness that 6ke and her companions were acting under the influence of fear, she led the bandit into the cell occupied by the young girls. Jeanne and Isabella were asleep in the same bed. The old nun awoke the sister and the affi anced of Masa niello. “Rise and dress yourselves, my dear chil dren," said she. “Why so, good mother?” asked Isabella. “You will know but too soon. Hasten, then, and dress yourselves, and offer up a fervent prayer to heaveii. Tho convent has been invaded. '* “But where is my brother?" exclaimed Jeanne. “Masaniello is doubtless still ignorant of thy misfortune. Tho holy Madonna alone can save us.” The two girls put their clothes on hastily. Corcelli summoned Isabella to his pres ence. ‘‘Senora,” said he, “prepare to follow me. Your father, the Duke of Arcos, is waiting for you at the Castel-Nuovo, and I have or ders to take you to him.” “Has he given you any letter for me?" “Any letter! —ah! noble lady, can you think me siliy enough to have such a thing about me? If these beggarly Neapolitans had stopped and searched me, I should have been lost." Isabella hesitated. “Your companion must also accompany you. Tho Duke of Arcos wills it so.” “But my father does not know Jeanne.” “It is I who have spoken to him of the sis ter of Masaniello.” “What can be my father’s object in wish ing Jeanne to accompany me to the Castel- Nuovo?” “Masaniello holds you as a hostage." “Well?” “Corpo Santo! the Duke of Arcos would not be sorry to have, in his turn, the sister of Masaniello in his power.” “It is false, villain!” exclaimed Isabella, with indignation. “My father is a Castil ian, my father is a nobleman, and he is in capable of having given you such an order.” “Less words, if you please,” cried Corcelli; and turning to his men, ho added: “To your duty!” Five or six brigands rushed into the cell, seized the young girls, bound them in spite of their cries, and then gagged them both. Corcelli returned to the chapel, barricaded the gates of the convent on the outside, and effected his retreat with his double prey without having aroused any one in tho whole neighborhood. (CHAPTER XV. DOM FIIANCESCO. Pietro had faithfully executed the orders of Masaniello; but, by a fatal series of cir cumstances, he had been able to save neither his affianced nor Isabella. The smuggler had followed them in their flight from the faubourg of Loretto to the Convent of Santa Chiara, and had hidden himself in an alley opposite, in order the better to observe their movements. Unfor tunately, the beginning of this alley was oc cupied by four or five of Cotcelli’s men, who hindered Pietro from seeing, forced as he was to retreat to the end of the alley, what was going on. At last Corcelli and his men set off from the convent, but Pietro still remained ignor ant of what had taken place. He followed, and only learned his misfortune when, after walking some distance, he saw the banditti open the thick rank in which they were marching, while Corcelli led the prisoners to a calessmo which was waiting to receive them. The vehicle took the road to Calabria and the banditti formed themselves into a running escort by the side of it. Pietro still followed, for it was, above all, necessary that he should know to what place Corcelli conducted his victims. On, on he ran, with the courage of despair, until lie at last fell down, worn out with fatigue and weeping with rage, in the middle of the road. The poor fellow managed to' drag himself back to the faubourg of Loretto, where he ax-rived at break of day. He entered the tavern of II Cappucino, and found Conrad still asleep there. Pietro called up poor Cappucino. ‘•You have had carousing hero to-night?” said he to the tavern keeper. “Ah! signore mio carissimo! don’t speak of it,” replied II Cappuciua; “but,” added he, in a plaintive voice, “do you know Masa uielloif” “Yes.” “Well, then, this scoundrel hero and his followers, who have consumea more olla podrida, harps and wine than would keep all the k! ig’s cavalry for a week, have told mo that Masaniello will pay for what they have Lad. Do you believe it?” “How can 1 know? But listen," added Pietro; “if you will obey mo, I promise you that you shall be paid.” “What must 1 do, then, Santa Maria del Carmine?” “One of these fellows is still here?” “Yes, signore mu* a horrid. German, who eats like a boa constrictor, and drinks more than a fish.” “Keep him here till I return.” * “Will that be soon? for if I have to keep him long" “Fear nothing. Let him have what be likes, and you shall bo paid to the last penny." And Pietro cast a glance or two at Conrad, in order to see with what sort of a rascal he had to deal, and then took his departure for tho Vicaria. Naples bad just awoke .when Dom Fran cesco knocked at the gates of the \ icaria. He was immediately received by Masaniello, who Jed him into the council chamber. [TO BK CONTINCKD.] YOUR EARS Ought to have attention perhaps. If so, B. B. B. will do you good, removing all ignorant matter,-the direct cause of deafness. Witness the following testi monies: COULD HEAR A TICK CRAWL. Mr. C. E. Hall wrote from Shelby, Ala , Febuary 1), l<Sb7: “1 could not hear it thunder. I heard of B. B. 8.. list'd two bottles, and now can hear a tick crawl in the leaves. “i GAVE UP TO DIE.” Knoxville, Tenn., July 2,1887 l had catarrh of t he head for six years. 1 went to a noted doctor and he treated me for it, nut could not cure me, lie said. I was over fifty yeai s old and gave up ta die. 1 had a distressing cough; my eyes were swollen and i am confident 1 could 5 not have lived without a change. 1 sent and got one bottle of your medicine, used it, and felt better. Then 1 got four more, and thank God! it cured me. Fse this any wav you may wish fertile good of; sufferer’s/ Mrs. Matilda Nichols, 2? Florida Street. A PREACHER CURED OF DYSPEPSIA.^^* Microsu KEF, Fla., Leon Cos., July 20,'86 I have been a sufferer from indigestion and dyspepsia, for a long time, and have tried many remedies, but until 1 was in duced by my friends to try your B. B. B. received no relief, but since using it ha\e found more relicf and comfort than from any other treatment 1 have used. Hop ing you will forward tv) my address your little 32-page book for prescription, also evidence of cures. Send at earliest date. Rev. Rou t C. A BOOK OF WONDERS, FREE. All who desire full information about the cause and cine of Blood Poisons, Scrofula and Scrofulous Swellings, Fleers, Sores, Rheumatism, Kidney Complaints, Catarrh, etc., can secure by mail, free, a copy of our 32-page Illustrated Rook ot Wonders, filled with the most wonderful and startling proof ever before known. Address, Blood Balm Cos., 9 G-lm Atlanta, Ga. ‘'*Hackmetagk, m a lasting and frag rant penume. Price 25 and 50 cents. For sale by J. R. Wiklt tfe Cos. O-rters vibe, and J. M. Gray, Adairsville, Georgia. dec 6-6m—2 You will have no use for spectacles if you use Dr. J.’H. McLean’s Strengthen ing Lye Salve; it removes the film and scum which accumulates on the eyeballs, subdues inflammation, cools and soothes the irritated nerves, strengthens weak and failing sight. 25c. a box. 96-3 m Shiloh s Catarrh remedy—a posi tive cure lor catarrh,diptheria and can ker-mouth. For sale by J. It Wikle & Cos. Cartersville, and J. M. Gray, Adairs ville, dec 6-6m—2 If you suffer pricking pains on moving the eyes, or cannot bear bright light, and find your sight weak and failing, you should promptly use Dr. J. H. McLean’s' Strengthening Eye Salve. 25 cents a box. 08-3 in Why will you cough when Shiloh’s Cure will give immediate relief. Price lOcts., 50cts., and sl. For sale by J. R. W ikle & Cos ,Cartersville, and J M. Gray, Adairsville. dfc 6-6m —2 The l'iist symptom-* of Death. Tired feeling, dull headac he, pains in various parts of the body, sinking at the pit of the stomach, loss ot appttite, fever ishness, pimples or sores, are all positive evidence of poisoned blood. N > matter how it become poisoned it must be puri fied to avoid death Acker’s English Blood Elixir has never tailed to remove scrofulous or syphilitic poisons. Sold under positive guarantee byJ.R. Wikle & Cos. e o Are You made miserable oy Indiges tion, Constipation, Dizziness, Loss of Ap petite, YellowJ Skin? Shiloh’s Vitaliz r is a postive cure. For sale by .1. R. Wikle & Cos., Cartersville, and J. M. Gray, Adairsville. dec6 6n. —2 Children Cry lor It. The pleasant taste and agreeable aro ma of Delectalave make its use attrac tive to children at well as to adults. Early impress the child with the impor tance of good teeth. Spare it the suffer ing of dec iyed teeth by proper care and attention. Keep its mouth clean and in a healthy state by using Delectalave. For sale bv all Druggists. The Rev. Geo. H. Thayer, of Bour bon, Ind., sajs: “Both myself and wife owe our lives to Shiloh’s consumption cure.” For .sale ly J. F. Wikle & Cos., Cartersville, and J. M. Gray. Adairsville, Ga. dec6-6m —2 Parents Criminally Liable. More than ball of all deaths occur be fore six years of age. An armv of inno cent, lovely children are swept needlessly away each year. Parents are criminally responsible for this. The death' rate o children in England is less than half this Acker’s English Baby Soother has done more to bring this about than all other causes combined. You cannot afford to be without it. Sold by J. li. Wikle & Cos. eow Sick headache, wind on the stomach, biliousness, nausea, are promptly and agreeably banished by Dr. .J.H. Little Liver and Kidney Fillets. 25c. a vial. f-3 IHr^j