The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-01

Ouo S1Oso ups SudOOWeu euo
eye. The officer answered after pause:
"You must ask the noble Duke that ques-
ton, Signor. | cannot answer 1t.
HAS not the order for his execution been
issued?n
"In all probability, Signor MARQUIS, his
Lordship, the Chief Justice, attended to his
duty. If he did, the order. issued from the
court yesterday. / can only tell you 1t has
not been sent to me-"
And you low nothing of it|
II know nothing of the order, Signor."
Steffano saw clearly that the keeper
would not trust him with the secrets of his
office. He was very angry, but he could do
nothing to help the matter, he could only
resolve, in his own heart, that if the power
should ever be his he would pay the man
back in a manner he should remember ever
after.
From the prison our Marquis made his
way to the Office of the Council Of Twenty,
determined, if possible, to know when the
hanging was to be. He found clerk and
two or three minor officers. The clerk could
tell him nothiug, for the simple reason that
he had nothing to tell.
AS final resort the seeker after
knowledge resolved to visit the Chief Jus
tice at his dwelling He would not ask the
Duke. In truth, he dared not. He feared
to excite Antonio further while Zanom
lived
OPP he said to himself, as he moved
away from the Office of the council, "lr the
painter shall be safely out of the way be-
fore Antonio find opportunity to hold pri-
vate confab with him all may be well. BY
heavens, would Kill him with my own
hands if | conld Why have | not done it.
| have been blind. | have been fool. But
wait. We shall See."
He found the Baron at nome, and was
admitted to his presence, but scarcely had
he mentioned his business before he made
the discovery that here, too, he was unwel-
come.
"Signor Marquis" his lordship answered.
sharply, "if you are seeking information
on that subject | must refer you to your
brother. the Duke"
'But, my noble lord, you will tell me II
the order has been issued"
marquis, you have no right to ask me
such question. Yet, | will tell you this:
The warrant for Zanoni's execution has been
signed by myself. For further information
| must refer you to the Duke"
"Baron, [ trust you have not suffered the
Duke to-
Stop! beg you will say no more. If
you would please me, you will 60"
And the Baron, as he thus spoke, pointed
to the door.
Defeated at every turn, the Marquis
wended his way toward the room of the
club, cursing bitterly as he went. He must
find place where he could procure wine;
and drink it in peace, and at the same Glme
think.
But, we may remark here, his thinking
amounted to nothing. He cogltated and
he plotted, but he was forced in the end to
acknowledge himself powerless to accom-
plish bis purpose. If blind fortune did not
help him, then was he helpless. In short,
he was in that most most wretched and suf
fering condition of spirit to which tho man
of evil passion can be reduced-possessed by
impotent rage.
While the'Marquis Steffano feeling him
self baffled at every turn-for he surely felt
so-while he sat alone in a room of the club
swallowing cup after cup of wine and ours
ing his fate, the painter Zanoni paced to and
fro in his really comfortable prison cell.
From the broad, arched window he could
look upon the river and see the path on the
bank where he had often walked. Would
he ever walk there agains He was thus re-
flecting when his attention was attracted
by the sound of a football in the corridor
without, and moment later he heard the
bar removed from his door and a key turned
in the lock- Next the door was opened, the
Duke enetred the cell and the way then
closed behind him. He was alone.
There were two comfortable chairs in the
place, one of which, the easiest, the prls-
oner handed out, at the same time bowling
with grave politenesS. Once the visitor
made a motion as though he would put out
his hand for friendly embrace, but he did
not do it. Yet his look was friendly and
sympathetic. He asked after the prisoners
health, and hoped he was pleased with the
quarters which had been given him.
II am pleased, my lord; and am GER
L. I ha of,
because believe am indebted to your kind
offices for them"
The Duke nodded, but made no further
admission. He paused for time, thought
fully; and at length said:
"Signor Zanoni, you remember the re-
Quest YOU made on the occasion of my
former visit / may inform You that your
wishes have been complied with. TIL ugh
YOU did not distinctly ask me to put off the
execution Of the sentence of the court
against you, have done it. The warrant is
in nv hands; and l may hold it, at least for
several days-perhaps, for weeks"
The painters handsome face glowed with
ioy and gratitude. He had not yet seated
himself He took two or three rapid turns
to and fro across the CELL after which he
drew a chair near to his visitor and sat in
it.
"My lord, he said, with deep and power
full feeling in look and tone, II will not at
tempt to express my thankfulness for the
favor you have conferred. | can only hope
that. in the end, you shall find yourself richly
repaid. | will not tell you why | would
have asked the boon which you have granted
without the asking. Am | mistaken in sup
posing that you could, if you would, allow
me to have my easel, my canvass and my
materials for painting here in this placer
The Duke. though some such thought had
once or twice occurred to him, was startled
when the proposition had been thus plainly
made He did not reply at once. At length
he asked
"Do you mean, Signor, that you wish to
paint herep
my lord" Zanoni answered, with n won
drous light in his lustrous eyes; the light of
inspiration; ~ ask to live until have fin
ished the picture / have commenced-my
Saint Cecilia. 1t shall be yours when it is
done-rny gift to you for your kindness,
and in token Of the love l bear toward
you"
The Duke was deeply moved. After lit
tie thought, and with marked hesitation,
he said:
"But-Zanoni-the model OF course,
you must be aware that you cannot"
flush! know what you would say. II
I required the features of the Princess lisa
bel for my model, be sure l have them IN
my heart, But l do not l have u
face of my own--a face that has come
to me as from heaven. 1t is like the face of
the Princess; and yet unlike. 1t is as beauti-
full as is hers; yet its beauty is different
The glory of the divine maternity is in it.