The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-07

counteuances half hid len by the slouch
| ing hat and feather that shaded them,
| two men sat, sullenly bending their gaze
down the glen.
ga pretty time we're having, Ludovi-
CT" said the oldest bandit, for such they
were. ".rhe queens troops are. still
securing the lower passes, and no booty
for this month past, save some beggarly
peasant, with maravedPs worth OF
| wood"
"Histw said his companion. "Yonder
| is game, winging to cover, or mistake
mew At the same instant, bringing the
carbine to bear, whose sharp cling rang
clear on the morning air. "Some peas
ant sure," he continued. "Pll take the
care of his goats forever off his mlndW
"Hold, comrade," said the first
speaker. "Yonder is no peasant, but a
traveller; probably st. Christopher has
sent us gold, at the last. Let us down
and cut off his retreat"
So saying, both ruff ms descended
the pass, and approached the stranger.
"Hold, brother, in your tribute to ma
ture, and pay tribute to usP' said the
foremost bandit. "We allow no intru-
sion on our walks here"
| "And meant none. A poor artist
my death or captivity would avail you
little. I pray you, good friends, let me
pass"
"An artist, tush!p said the outlaw.
s.Some rascally government spy, rather.
And thou diest, unless thou presently
tell down on the greensward hundred
golden marks
Now, Mary, help me, as l have not
as many sous"
"rell thy beads, then, stranger, for
thy minutes are numbered" said the
outlaw, roughly, glancing at the savage
looks OF a number who mad assembled
ON the spot.
The youth cast despairing gaze at
| the hardened, reckless faces around
him, then down the sheer preclpIce.
which descended two hundred feet be-
side the path.
Rough hands had already seized him,
and had lifted him over the edge, while
with grin of malice, showing MS
close, shut teeth, the leader had Missed
out:
"a pleasant journey to thee, sir paint
eri' when a low murmur ran through
The throng:
| "Holdl Magdalen, our queenW
"Wh hat sends her here?' muttered the
leader, releasing, however, his hold OF
the prisoner.
GLOW now, Ludovico9" she said, 'me-
thinks you are pressed for deeds OF dar-
and that boy Deggar!"
The clear sweet tones echoed strange
Iy among the rocks, while the speaker,
her dark hair loosened with the rapidity
OF her approach, and her beautiful lace
suffused with intense pity, bent her
eyes upon the stranger.
You mistake, lady," said the outlaw.
"This is NO mean peasant, as his
garb bespeaks; but a base government
spy" ,a uoa
dalen. "lfso, can plead thy cause no
longerw
Lady, am no spy," he replied, "but
poor artist, whom the love Of the beau.
titul. and no wish to injure others, led
me to intrude upon your pass"
"Canst tnou prove it with thy PEN
cilr'
II can," replied the youth.
"Unbind hum, Ludovico," she or
dered.
Fair, faigp repeated the brigands,
throwing themselves in not ungraceful
groups on the grass around.
The artist glanced around, and not
even his terrible situation could repress
smile OF pleasure, as his eye caught
ravine and rock, hanging vine and
frowning precipice-and with lightning
rap1dity, the scene, in all its wild
witchery was transported to the canvas
The painter paused for one moment; his
eve fell on Magdalen, and there she
stood in all her matchless beauty; bend
ing however look Of pity on Leonardo
di Vinci.
"How say ye, comrades has he lost or
wonW and the calm, sweet voice oi
Magdalen broke the silence.
"Won, won! and Il chain Of gold
, hasides - cried the outlaws, as eacn
, bent above the sketch and beheld him
| self.
/ Long did the painter remain among
{ them, loaded with proofs o! their appre-
6 citation, and still i'll the splendid works
of this great master, the tall, graceful
form in blue, the dark look, and mould
ed features, frequently appear--a monu
ment of his gratitude to Magdalen, the
4 queen of the bandits.