The Washington times., 1895-02-24

order. gave it burial. So that he died that
same night In which the mirror had shown
b. N his face as the face of a dead man; but
whence came the vision l know not.
Then tire duke set Antonio again on his
horse. and the three rode together toward
Fornioa. and as they went acain and again
the duke tested the operation OF the drug.
setting Antonio many strange ludicrous. and
uuseemly things to do ahd to say. and An
tonic did and said them all. And he Won
dered greatly that the drug had no power
over him, and that his brain was clear and
his senses all his own. nor did he then UNDER
stand that the duke hal slain the wizard for
any reason. save that the wizard had har-
bored him. an outlaw and suffered him to
hear the dukes counselS, and he was grieved
at the wizards death. Thus they rode through
the night, and il was the hour OF dawn when
they cane TO the catrs OF Fornioia Now
Antonio was puzzled what he should do. for,
having been in a swoon, he knew not wheIhe
the duke had more of the potion, nor could
lie tell with certainty whether the potion
would he powerless against the senses OF a
weak girl. as ii had proved against his own.
And he said TO the duke:
II pray you, nv lord. give me more OF that
sweet drink. For it has refreshed me and set
my mind at rest from all trouble"
Nay, Antonio. you have had enough"
sal the dnke, bnn.ering him. 81 have an
other use for the rest. And they were now
nearing the gates OF Forniola. Then Anto-
Mo began to moan. pitiiu!ly saying: These
bands hurt my hands," and he whinei and
did as Il child would DO feiening to cry. And
the duke laughed in bitter triumph, saying 10
Lorenzo: Indeed ii is princely drug that
makes Antonio of Monte Veliuto like peevish
child" And being now very secure OF the
power of the drug. ne bade Lorenzo loosen
tn bands saying to Antonio: Take the
reins Antonio. and ride with US into the
city," And Antonio answered: II will my
good lord
'It is even as I saw when was with the
Lord OF Florence" whispered the duke in
exultation.
''Yet will still have my sword ready" said
Lorenzo.
There Is no need He is like q tame dog" +"
sal the duke. care!eSsly.
But the duke was not minded to produce
Antonio to the people til all his guards were
collected and undcr arms. and the people re-
strained by great show of force There
fore he babe Antonio cov-r his face with his
cloak, and Antonio, Lorenzo's sword heng
still at his breast, oteyel; and thus they three
rode through the gates of Forniola aud came
to the dukes palace. and Antonio did all that
the duke ordered aud baobIed flooishly like
a bewildered child when the duke asked him
questions, SO that his highnpss laughed
nightly. and co ing into the garden, sat
d wn in his favoriie place by tue fish pond.
causing Antonio o stand over against him.
''Indeed. Antonio." said he, II can do
other than hanS you"
III it be your pleasure. my lord"
'.And then Lucia shall drink OF this won-
der. u drug so. and she will be content and
obedient. and will gladly wed Lorenzo. Let
Us have her here now and give it 10 Ter with
out delay. You do not fret at that, Antonio2
You love not the Obstinate grip
I'm truth. mol" laughei Antonio; "she Is
naught 10 mel" And he put his hand TO his
head saying, perpexedy. LUCIA! Yes,
member that name. Wlo was she? Was
she aught TO me. my lord7''
Then Lorenzo wondered greatly. and the
doubts that he had held concerning the
power OF the wizar i's drug melted away, but
be did net laugh like the duke, but looked on
Antonio and said sadly to the duke, sinking
his voice:
Not thus should Antonio OF Monte Ve-
luto have died."
$50 he dies. l care not how" answered the
Duke Indeed, l love to see him witless
fool even while his body l. vet alive. rare
wizard. go near to repenting having doue
justice on you! Go, Lorenzo, to the officer of
the guard and bid him fetch hither the Lady
Lucia. and we will play the pretty comedy to
the end"
"Wili you be alone with hi1?" asked Lo-
renzo.
AYE, why not2 See, he is tame enough, /"
and he buffeted Antonio in the ace with his
riding glove. And Antonio whimpered and
whined
Now the officer of the guard was in his
lodge at the entrance of the palace on
the other side OF the great hall; and Lo-
renzo turned and went. and presently the
sound of his feet on the marble floor of the
hall grew faint and distaat And the duke
sat with the phial in his hand, smiling at
Antonio. who crouched at his feet. And An
tonic drew himself on his knees quite close
to the duke and looked up in his face with a
foolish, empty smile. And the duke laugh
ing, budeed him again. Then with sud-
den spring. like the spring of that Indian
tiger which the Mogul of Delhi sent lately as
gilt to the most Christian king, and the
king for his diversion ma ie to sIay deer be-
fore him at the chateau of Blois (which my
self saw, being there on certain mission
and wonderful was the sight) Antonio was
upon the duke. and he seized the philtre
from the dukes hand and seized the dukes
head In his hands and wrenched his jaw
open. and he poured the contents OF the phial
dowa the dukes throat. and the duke swal-
lowed the potion. Then Antonio fixed a
stern and commanding ance on the duke,
mailing his eyes to the DUKES and the duke 8
to his, and he said in a voice OF command:
"Obey! You have drank the potion" And
still he kept his eyes ON the duke 9. And the
duke. amazed, suddenly began to tremble.
and he sought to rise; and Antonio took his
hands off him. but he said:
''Sit there. and move not" Then, although
Antonio's hands were no longer upon him,
yet his highness did not rise, but after short
struggle with himself sank back in his seat
and stared at Antonio like bird fascinated
10y snake. And he moaned: "Take away
your eyes; they burn my brain. Take them
away" But Antonio ga ied all the more in
tentIy at him saying: HBe still hp stjlIp' and
holding up his arm in enforcement OF his
command. And Antonio took from the duke
the sword that he wore and the dagger