The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-03-04

surrender, for the guard would come to-
morrow. and then at least he could not
hope to resist.
AYE, but tomorrow is tomorrow. master
syndic," laughed Antonio. Go, get your
leg dressed and leave tomorrow til it
dawn"
So the syndic went home and the rest
with him. leaving the twenty on guard.
And to this day, if man has more love
for fighting than skill ia it, folk call him d
syndic of Baratesta.
Count Antonio, being thus left in the
vault, and perceiving that he would not
be further mOlested that day. looked round
and though no daylight reached the vault
he could see, for the Workmen had set Il
lamp there, and it still burned. And around
him were the collins OF all the Pescbelti
who had died in 500 years, and the ali was
heavy and sitting. And he took the lamp
and walked round the vault, which was of
circular form, and he perceived one coffin
standing upright against the wall OF the
vault, as though there had been no room
FOR it on the shelves. Then he sat down
again, and being weary, leaned his head
against the wall and soon slept. for a
man whose conscience is easy and whose
head has sense in it may sleep well in
a vault as in q bed chamber. Yet the air
of the vault oppressed him and he slept
but lightly ana uncasily. Ard If q proof
be needed how legends gather round the
counts name / have heard many wonder
FIJI stories of what happened TO him in the
vault how he held converse with dead
PeschelU, how they told him things Walch
it is not given TO men 90 know, and ROW
certain beautiful lady, VINO had been
dead 200 years having been slain 5y her
husband in a jealous rage, came forth from
the c0iiin with her hair all dishoycled and
a great wound yet bleeding in her bosom.
and sang q low, sweet, wild love song TO
him as he lay and would not leave hm.
thoUgh ne badc her soul rest i'm the name
Of Christ and the saints. But that any Of
these things happened J do not believe.
1t was late when the count awoke. and
the lamp had burned Que, SO that the
vault was utterly dark. And as the count
reused himself a sound strange i'm The place
fell on his ear. for man talked ana his
talk was not such as one uses who speaks
his own musings aloud TO himself when he
is alone "a trick men come by who live
solitary, bat ne seemed TO question others
ana to answer them, saying: Aye" and
mo" ana alas. sweet friend" and
forth, all in a low. even voice, and now
and again he would sigh. and once fe
laughed bitterly. Then the count raised
his voice saying: "Who is therc2' And
the other voice answered, (which OF you
speak? The tones are not known to me.
Yet l know all the Ieschelji who are here"
And Antonio answered. Il am not of the
Peschelti save by my mother; my name
a cry came from the darkness Of q man
greatly troubled and AHMED, and after
that there was silence for space. And
Antonio said: There is naught TO fear.
] seek to save myself not TO hurt another.
But how do you. "a living man. come 10 be
IN this vault. and with whom do you
sI-e..N.
Then came the sound of steel striking
on n flint and presently q spark, and a
torch was lighted; and Antonio behciI be-
fore nim in the glow of the torch the figure
OF q man who crouchcd on the floor Of the
vault over against him; his hair was long
ami tangled: his beard grew 10 his waist.
and lie was naked save for a cloth about
his loins; and his eyes cleaned dark and
wild as he gaZed on Antonio in seeming
fright and beVilGermeEt. Then the count,
knowing that man collects his thoughts
while another speaks. told the man who he
was and how he came there. and because
the mans eyes still wondered how that
he was an outlaw these three years, and
more because he would not bow TO the
dukes will, and when he had told all me
ceased. Then the man came craving
closer to him. and, holding the torch 10
his face scanned his face, saying; surely,
he is alive" And again he was silent, but
after a while he spoke.
For twenty and three years" he said,
Il have dWelt here among the dead, and
10 the dead I talk, and they are my friends
and companions For I hear their voices
ana they move out and greet me; yet now
they are silent and slin because you are
here"
but how can you live heree' cried An-
tonic. For you must starve for lack or