The Washington times., 1895-02-10
tolo. lei MS rest a while under a tree;

merchants met her and spoke with her, yet
she rode on. And when she came to the tree
where Bena and Martolo were, they sprang
up and barred their heads, for she was the
Lady Lucia, and her face was fuli OF lear ana
eagerness, as she said:
mo guard is kept to-day, even on helpless
ladies' Is it true that my lord is near?"
''Yes, he is near" said Bena, kissing her
hand. See, there is the dust of his company
on the road
go, one of you, and say that / wait for
him, she commanded; so Mortolo rode on to
carry the news further, and Bena went to An
tonic and said:
Heaven, my lord, sends fortune. The
Lady Lucia has escaped from the city and
waits you under yonder tree"
And when TommBsino heard this he put
out his hand suddenly and caught Antonio g
hand and pressed it, saying:
$50 alone and bring her here; we will
wait; the duke will not be here for many hours
yet"
Then Antonio rode alone to the tree where
Lucia was and because he had not seen her
for many months he leaped down from his
horse and came running TO her, and, kneel-
ing, kissed her hand; but she, who stood how
by ner palfrey's side, flung her arms about
his neck and fell with tears and laughter into
his arms, saing: ''Antonioi Antoniol Heaven
is with u.s. Antonio.
YES said he, "for his highness has won
the day.
Have not we won the day also?" said she,
reaching up and laying her hands upon his
shoulders.
Heart of my heart, !" said he. softly, as he
looked in her eyes
1.-The cage is opened. and. Antonio, the
bird is free, she whispered, and her eyes
danced and her cheek went red. Lift me to
my saddle, Antonio"
The count obeyed her, and himself mounted
and she said:
I'VE can reach the frontier in three hours
and there-there. Antonio. none fears the
dukes wrath" And Antonio knew what she
would say, save that she would not speak il
bluntly--that there they could find priest 10
marry them. And his face was pale as be
smiled nj her. Then he laid his hand on her
bride and turned her palfrey's head toward
Fornioia. Her eyes darted swift question
at him, aid she cried low, "Thither, Antonio!
Then he answered her, bending still his
look on her.
ALAS. / am no learned man nor doctor
skilled in matters of casiustry and nice dis
tinctions. / can but do what the blood that
is in me tells me gentlemen should do. To-
day. sweetheart-ah, will you not hide your
face from me, sweetheart, that my words may
not die in my mouth?-to-day our lord the
duke fights against the enemies of our city.
holding for US in hard battle the liberty we
have won. and bearing the banner OF For
niola high TO heaven in victory"
She listened with strained, frighte led face,
and the horses moved ut walk toward For
n.ola. And she laid her hand on his arm, say
ing again:
'Antoniol"
"And l have fought with my lord to-day
and would be at his side now except that
do his pleasure by leaving him TO triumph
alone But my hand has been with him to-
n md 10 NIT fn- oil
me, sweetheart, if l rode forth to war and
left you alone, wodld you do aught against
me till returned?" She did not answer.
"a princes city" said be, should be like
his faithful wife, and when he goes against
the enemy none at home should raise hand
against him. absye all may not one who has
fought by his side. For to stand side by side
in battle is promise and a compact between
man and man even as though man sWore to
man on a holy relic"
Then she understood what he would say,
and she looked away from him across the
plain, and a tear rolled down her cheek, as
She said:
Indeed. my lord. the error lies in my
thoughts, for 1 fanciei that your love was
mine"
Antonio leaned from his saddle and lightly
touched her hair.
"Was that indeed your fancy?" said he,
'and prove it untrue?'
''You carry me back to my prison." she
said. "And you will ride away"
'.And so l love you not?' he asked.
''No, you love me not" said she, and her
voice caught in a sob
"See," said he I'VE draw near to Forniola.
and the city gates are oIen, and look, they
raise a flag on the dukes palace. and there is
JOY for the victory that Martoio has told them
Of And in all the duchY there are but two
black hearts that burn with treacherous
thoughts against his highness, setting their
own infinite joy above the honor and faith
they owe him."
Nay, but are there two?" she asked, turn
ins her face from him.
I'm truth, / would love to think there was
but one," said he, "and that one beats in me,
sweetheart and so nightly that l think ii
will burst the walls OF my body, and l shall
die"
"Yet we ride TO Forniola." said she.
''Yes, by Christ's grace" said Count An.
tonic, 1--WE ride TO Forniola."
Then the Lady Lucia suddenly dropped
her bride on the neck of her palfrey and
caught Antonio's right hand in her two hand:
aud said TO him:
"When pray tonight will pray for The
cleansing of the black heart, Antonio. and ]
will make wreath and carry it to the duke
and kiss his hand for his victory. And / viii
set lights in my window and flags On my
house, and l will give my people feast. ant
/ will sing and laugh for the triumph of the
city and for the freedom this day has wor
for US. And when l have done all this, Wha
may do then. Antonio?"
81 am SO cruel, said he, ''that then
would have you weep little. yet spoil no
the lovelisst eyes in all the world. for if yoJ
dim them it may be that they will not shine
like stars across the plain and even into tn,
hut where live among the hills
do they shine bright, Antonio?"
"As the gems on the gates of heaven, i" he said
and he reined in his horse and gave her bridl,
into her hands. And then for many minutes
neither spoke, and Count Antonio kissed he
lips, and she his and they promised with the
eyes what they needed not promise with the
tongue. And the Lady Lucia went alone Oh
her way to Forniola. But the count sat still
like statue of marble on his horse ant
watched her as she rode And there he etayet
till the gates OF the city received her and thu
walls hid her from his sight, and the old mel
on the walls saw him and knew him, ant
asked:
docs he come against us? But it wa
against the Prince of Mantivoglia that h
sWore to fight" And they watched him til
he turned and rode at a foot's pace ava,
from the city. And now as he rode his broY
was smooth and calm, and there was smil
on his lips. But when he had ridden two o
three miles and came where he had left tn
band he could see none OF them. And
peasant came running to him in great frigh
and said: "My lord. your men are gon
again to aid the duke, for the prince has don
great deeds and turned the fight, and it il
again very doubtful; and my Lord Tommasin,
bade me say that he knew your mind and wa
gone to fight for Forniola.'' Then, Antonio
| wondering greatly at the news, set his hors
to gallop and passed through Riano at
I i A.
and it was now afternoon; and presently b
| saw the armies. but they seemed to be still