The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-25

rine, sternly smiling-"that mask conceals thy
lovers features -.
Al this moment Catherine again clapped her
hands There was an instant movement amongst
was dragged forwards.. A block of wood was
piatrd upon the ground by Catavaja. The sword
Of Loupgaron cleaned In the air.
The cavalier placed himself between Catherine
and the execuiouers. His hand was laid upon
YOU have said the withdrawal Of your mask
should be- the signal OF 0richtons DOOM cried
| the queen. addressing the cavalier. are you
prepared. sgnorW
calmly, TO meet my own fate. Not against yQn
mask. but asainst me must your vengeance be
directed
"Maledi4iopF exclaimed Catherine. as she
behed the features of the scot: 'trptori hove
we then been ny sane NJ this II whehaye
sehemss-into the commission of grievous
and scarce pardpnabie indignty to my near
shnll avail thee ittle--Dieu merei Thou ait sti
In nv power. Don yineen7o.' she. continued
turning to the mask, whose wizard having been
discovered dark and naughty lineaments. n
famed with rholer. but strongly impressed with
the lofty and peculiar charaeter proger as to re
will at once understand II he will call TO mind
the grave and majestic. venetian faccs Qf Fitienl
-" Don vineenzo." said Gather Inc, addressing
the prince who still remained surrounded by
the guard-"what reparaton can offer you for
the a!Iront have thus uninteniionally put upon
Zone only reparation will accept" cried
vincenzo. proudly ling OFT the .Rrasp OF
Loupgarou. and advancing towards the Queen
Give me to understand your wishes. re-
II claim the life Of my adversary" returned
Now, by my soul prince said Catherine In
ii rleep wllispe you have asked u boon ran-
not grant Grchicns He Isl, i necessary &C., to my
p W..
turned vincenso In the same tone. but the
blnzop Of Qonzaga were forever statned-ny
honor as n knight forever spotted, II he. whom
have deted to mortal combat sbon d bn aasas.
sinatsd In my pr sence. He must be set frees,,
Never" replied, Catherine his death will
lie nj my door. He is In ppssession of my
vital import. Which | deemed had commuui-
had rahsp pspsh apoa the block by the
hands Of those miscreants. than suffer my hunor
to be TINS sullied.r exclaimed Gonzaga. Hear
depart. and will gage my princely faith that
the Chevaler Crichton betrays no aeeret--re-
vesls no plot. The laws Of honor, imperative
him depart without fear. and intruHt the work OF
vengeance 10 me. To morrow we meet aR NOR
tai enemies tonight we part as fair foenen
Gage not your faith for me- prince said
Cricbton, who with sword and dagger. tiereely
confronted his. asEailants. can neither nc
pose. ii j depart hence. the secret have OBJ
famed viii be revealed-nay II my voice be 81,
fenced in death. my last gasp will BE- cheered
with the conviction that other tongues than
mine will breathe y Tor me"
= HAL exclaimed Catherine
NY vengeance will survive mo, mndame.
continued the Scot. " you may hout this chamber
with my blood-may hew me limb from limb
but that secret win escape you-nay, II has al
ready escaped you. ! may never behold haf
more, may never exchange word with her again,
but cre to-morrow's aun shal set The proof q
her birth will be laid before the Princess OF
Copn9dde"
Where are the dispatches Of Tavnnnes. the
letters Of the Cardinal Of Lorraine, your own
Hal exclaimed Catherine hastily glancing
at The packet she held within her hand.
"Traitorl where are tbey?
"Impossiblel"
Il have found faithful messenger--'
En- verdad sa magestad, this braggarts only
messenger can have been the great dog who nc
companied him.. exclaimed Careyaia. The
We assembled and | remarked that he had q
scarf twisted round his throat"
"That scarf contained the letters" said crich-
ton. with smile OF triumph,
And the hound escaped you2'' demanded
Catherine Of the Spaniard.
: 4 7 no dog but Dend IN bestinl shape,
hChe,nlier Criohton." suid Catherine, ad-
bose p"pos are Of value to
me than your life. | will capitulate with you.
Upon the, conditions offered to you by the'
Il have said that reject them. madam. Bid
your assassns advance. To Heaven and Saint
Andrew commit my cause"
cried Ruggi ri hence with, thy fathor.s.
out tSs sror sSy Sow
which is his death shall be mine
Likewise. Let me go I say: | an 70, not thy child
i" Hear Ginpyrp--I have Dropfs---"
NO ] will not listen to thee. Thou wouldst
have bartered my honor for the Prince OF Man.
thou art my father, leave me- and draw not my
head for. BY our Lady Of Pity will plunge
Ginevra. | would free thee from him. In
be Reras srs sr drew her
herself from his grasp. once more took refuge
by the side Of Crchton.
remonstrances Of Gonzaga, who. being un,,
armed. could take no part In the conflict, had
commanded the en-atarms to assault the
"Upon him. knavesl" she cried. what do
you fear 2-he is but one-strikei and spare
not
C,ichton breasted their fury, as the rock re-
siss and hurls back the breakers. The CLEAN
oftheir swords flashed in tho eyes of the Gelosa;
strife was terrific But amidst it ali the Scot re
mained uninjured: not a thrust could reach
him, while several desperate wounds were
received by his antagonists The vocife-
rations. the clamor the. trampling Of feet were
dcafening, suddenly the noise ceased. Gather.
inc looked to see II her enemy. had fallen. but
she behcld him in an attitude Of defence calmly
regarding his antagonists, who had drawn back
to take breath and consider upon some new
plan OF attack. Mortified and dismayed. the
queen began to apprehend the issue Of the com
bat might yet determine in favor Of Crichton,
when she beheld u dark figure stealing behind
him. 1t was the dwarf. With stealthy steps she
saw him approach the Scot. He bounded for
ward-a dagger was in his grnsp-when at that
moment he was felIed by the stietto Of the
Gelosa Catherine could not restrain an OK
clamation Of displeasure.
Cravens," she cried. we lack the nerves Of
men-give me a sword. and will show you how
to WELD it."
Thus exhorted the ruffian band renewed the
conflict. and with better success than before. A
few blows only had been exchanged. when
Crichtons sword q light rapier. intended more |
for ornament than use, was sbivered. and with |
the exception of his pognard. feeble defence
against six trcnchant blades. he lay at their |
mi A vail rliapd nv his |