The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-01
THE PAINTER Of PARMA
OR.
The Magic Of a Masterpiece
An italian Story OF Love, MyS-
terry and Adventure.
BY sYLvANUS COBB, JR.
fCopurtaht 1855 By Maru J. Cobb
BY sYLvANUS COBB. JR.
copyright 1888 BY Mary J. Cobb.l
CHAPTER XV.-CoNT1NuEp.

CHAFIEh AN.-CONTINUED.
Eyes, Zanoni," replied the Duke, prompt
" and frankly, 81 believe you implicitly.
firmly believe every word you have spoken.
OIL wish it lay in my power to save you!
But, alas'-"
,"Say no more, my lord. understand the
situation fully; and know that the law
of the land dooms me. But l could not
rest if 1 thought you believed me capable of
the crime your brother would fasten upon
ple."
"Idon't believe it, Signor; have not be-
lieced it from the first l may tell you-no
word Steffano could have spoken, had l
heard no denial from yourself, would have
led me to believe you capable of such a
deed. But" the Duke went on, after a
short pause, trying hard to put on a cheer
fulness which he did not feel, sit is not i'm
POSSIBLE that there may be hope yet There
NAV be one chance. If you can prove-if
Won can cause the council to believe-that
Inc killing of Denaro was purely accidental
that he furioSlsly attacked YOU that you did
rot once seek his life, but that, in the end,
an accident, unforeseen and utterly impos-
eible to prevent, caused the fatal result-if
Won can show this to their satisfaction, you
may he spareds
"Ah? Duke, Duke, you are drawing upon
your own goodness of heart; upon your
own sense of justice and right. You know
the character aud temper of Baron Dodero
and his associates. When they have heard
the story which SteffanO has to tell
"Alas!" broke in Antonio, with a groan,
che has told it, He told last night before
thov mode ont TIE order for your detention
and preferred their charge"
",,eI,H pursued the prisoner, with a
gloom he could not overcome, knowing all
YOU know, can you, honestly and under
standingly, tell me to hopep
"Perhaps not. And yet it is saying
not to be forgotten, and which every man
IN your situation may honestly repeat to
himself: While there is life there is hope.
] car say no more than that. 1t is not
much"
At this point Zanoni bent his head in
thought, and so remained for a considerable
time, the Duke meantime waiting patiently,
and with true sympathy. He. started to
think once more of the fate that had set his
dear ward free from great danger, but
he put it away as unlIind-aS treacherous.
Ave, he told himself-and he meant it
that if he could save the man, if he could
give him back, at that very moment, to life
and liberty, he would do it, and risk the
saving of his ward afterward. Or perhaps
be might make the painters promise never
10 see the Princess again the price of the
favor On the whole that would be the best
thing that could happen.
By-and-by Zanonl looked up and spoke
There was a deep earnestness in his voice
and a new light in his expressive eyes.
n"My lord, l have a question to ask of
gou-a question to me of deepest import
ASK what you please. will answer, if
can"
ut is not much-perhaps to you nothing.
[ think my trial is to take place this fore
hoon."
"Yes; 10 o'clock was the hour named. 1t
Is near at hand"
ave, very near. Now, Duke will you
cell me. If l am condemned to die will you
bee me again"
Certainly; if you desire it."
what meant was. if you would be per-
United so to do"
"Ah! understand you. Yes, there
Is no power can keep me from any prisoner
whom choose to visit"
Suppose, pursued the painter, sit should
be your wish to put off the execution of the
sentence of the court for time, could you
do that, or cause it to be doneg"
Eyes =" The Duke had reflected little
before he answered. And he now paused
again. Presently he went on: "By a pc
culiar fiction of the law the Duke of Parma
Is custodian of the lives of his subjects, and
no person, no matter what his offense, nor
how criminal, can be executed until he
shall have signed the warrant for his death,
Or, had better say, until he has Endorsed
1t. believe the privilege of the Duke to
withhold his name for cause has been exer-
SiSed but twice since the law was 80 framed.
My grandfather, who preceded me on the
throne-my father, alas, did not live to hold
the scepter-my grandfather withheld his
Endorsement frow the death-warrant of q
man who had been convicted of murder,
and he did it upon the assurance of a per
son in whom he had entire faith, that the
man supposed to have been murdered was
still alive And it so proved. The mem
bers of the council were very indignant
with the old Duke when he announced his
determination; but family troubles had
boftened his heart, and he was not to be
swerved from his purpose"
81 suppose the council forgave him in the
endp
"Yes: but they were never quite pleased,
after all. More than one of them declared
that an innocent man had better be executed
than that law of the realm should be set
tnaught."
Before further remark could be made
the keeper appeared with the announce
tnent that the officers had arrived from the
rouncil chamber, and that his prisoner was
demanded.
luke! sara Aanonl, speaking qulckly
and eagerly, ''if you should in your heart
desire that my execution should be put off
10 day in the future-say, one or two
weeks-you would not hesitate to do it,"
mo, 1 would not" replied Antonio,
promptly.
Thank you. If l am condemned and
sentenced, as of course | shall be, you will
rome to me in my prison before the order
Tor my execution is issuedf"
~ will do so without fail. And, once
more, let us hope"
mo, no. know what the decision Of the
court will be. Signor. am ready"
This last to the keeper, who thereupon
led him to the door, where two armed
hen, officers of the council, took him in
Charge.
CHAPTER XVI.