The Washington times., 1895-03-17
CHAPTER YII.-coNCLUDED.

RILANO
Thus had the day worn 10 evening, and
long had the day seemed 10 Antonio, who
nat before the mouth of the cave with
Tenusta by his side. All day they had sat
thus alone. for Lnigi and the two youths
had gone 10 set snares in the woods be-
hind the oave-or such was the preteXt
Luigi made, and Antonio had let them so,
charging them to keep in earshot. And
as the hours passed Antonio. seeking TO
entertain the lady and find amusement for
her through the hours. began to recount TO
her all that he had done, how he had seized
the sacred bones. the manner OF his dealing
with the abbott of St Prisian. and much
else But OF the killing of Duke Paul he
would not speak; nor did he speak of hislove
for Lucia till Venusta pressed him, making
parade of great sympathy for him. But
when he had set his tongue To the task he
grew eloquent. his eyes CLEANED and his
cheek flushed. and he spoke in the low,
reverent voice that a true lover uses when
he speaks OF his mistress, as though his
wonted accents Were too common and mean
for her name And Venusta sat listening,
her deep eyes and finding his eyes never on
hers. but filled with the fancied vision Of
Lucia And at last, growing impatient
with him. she broke out petulantly:
rs this girl, then, different from all
others, that you speak Of her as though she
were a COddess?"
Il would not have spoken Of her but that
you pressed me-" laughed Antonio. Yet
in my eyes she is a godless-as every maid
should be TO her lover"
Venusta caught twig from the ground
and broke il sharp across.
Boys TALK" said she, and flung the
broken twig away.
Antonio laughed gently ard leaned back,
Resting Oh the Tock.
''Maybe," said he yet is there none
who talks boys talk for you?'
4 love men," said she, mot boys. And
# We're man think 1 would love a wo-
man. not a goddess"
1t is heavens chance. / doubt not said
Antonio, lauGkisg ayain. Had you and
chanced TO love. we should not have guar
relled with the boys talk nor at the namf
goddess"
she flushed sussenly and bit her lip, but
she answered in rziiIery:
Indeed. had il been so, a marvel of lover
your mistress for three years, and yet you
should have had! For you have not seen
are faithful TO her. Are yOl not, my lOrd?"
small credit not to wander where you
love to rest" said Antonio.
And yet youth goes ia waiting, and de-
lights missed come not again." said she,
leaning toward him with a lightin her eyes,
and scanning his fair hair and bnoEzed cheek.
his broad shoulders and the shiny hands that
nursed his kHee.
1T may well be that they VIII not come ,
20 me. " ne said. FOR the duke has a halter
ready for my throat if By the force OF guIe
he can take me-
She started at these words. searching his
face. but he was calm and innocent OF any
hidden meaning, She forced q laugh as
she 81 a. twisting a curl Of her hair round
her finger:
THE more reason to waste no time, my
LORD Antonio
Antoine shook his head and said, lightly:
But think he cannot take me by force,
and / know OF no man in all the duchy who
would betray me To a shameful death"
And Of no woman she asked. glancing
at him from under dropping lashes-
mo, for have wronged none; and women
are not cruel"
Yet there may he some. my lord. who
call you cruel, and therefore would be
cruel IN vengeance A lover faithful, as
you can have but one friend among women" p"
i know OF none such" he laughed.
"Aud surely the vengeance would be too
great for the offence, II there Were such"
Nay, ] know not that" said Venusta,
frowning.
Il would trust myself to any woman,
even though the dHke Offered her great re-
wards-aye, as readily as j put faith in
Lucia herself, or in you"
You couple me with her?"
In that matter, most readily" said
Antonio.
But in nothing eIse?" she asked. flush
ing again IN anger, for still his eyes We're
distant and he turned them never on her.
You must pardon me-" he SAID, my
eyes are blinded ~
For a moment she sat silent, then she said,
IN low voice:
But blind eyes have learned to see before
now, my lord.
Then Antonio turned his eyes on her; and
now she could not meet them, but turned
her face away. Forher soul was in tumult,
and she lS1ew not now whether she loved
or hated him, nor whether she would save
or stIll betray him. And the trust he had
IN her gnawed her guilty heart. so that
sudden pass on seized her, and she caught
Antonio 10y the arm, crying:
But II a woman held your life in her
hand and asked your love as its price, An
tonio?"
1T could not be - said he, wondering.
''Nav, but it might. And if il were?'
And Antonio nsrveling more and more
at her vehemenoe, answered:
Love is dear ana honor is dear, but we
OF HaUte Velluto hold life of no great
price"
yet it is fearful and shameful thing
60 hang fTnm the city wall -
There are worse things. said he. "But,
indeed. ] want not to do it," and he
laughed again.
Vcnasta sprang to her feet and paced the |
space between the cave and the river bank |
with restless steps Once she flung her |
hands Shove her head and clasped them; |
then. holding them clasped in front OF her, |
she stood by Antonio aRd bent over him |
tiIl her hair, falling forward as she stopped, |
brushed his forehead and mingled with his |
fair locks, and she breathed softly his |
name "A BtoRio, Antonior' And he /
looked up with a great start, stretching /
up his hand as though to check her, bat he /
said nothing. And she, suddenly sobbins /
fell on her knees by him, vet suddeRly |
she ceased TO sob aud smile came on her |
lips and she leaned toward him, saying 1
again. "AntoRiof'
Il pray you, pray you" said he, seek |
ing to stay her, courteously.
Then careless Of her secret, she flashed |
out in wrath,
"Ah, You scorn me, my lord You care |
nothing for me. / am dirt to you. Yet |
hold your life in my handi' And then in |
an instant she grew again softened, be |
seeching Am I so hideous, dear lord, |
that death is better than my love- For il /
you wiz lsve me J viii save you-'
i know not that my life is in your /
hands" said be, glad TO catch at that and |
and leave the rest OF what Venusta said.
as there any path that leads higher up |
up into the mountainsc'' she asked.
Yes, there Is one, said he, but if need |
come now ] could not climb il with this /
wounded foot OF mine"
you
Yes, hut what need? Tonrnasino and /
the band viii soon return