The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-02-04
lean, against the bare trunk of the tire.


knees across the space between ana laic
hold OF Antonio's legs. And he SAID nolh
ing. but gazed up at Antonio anu
the silent appeal Antonio shivered for a.
instant, but ne did not fly the gaze o.
Pauls eyes, but looked down on him an
answered:
and there a free road TO the city,"
Then Paul let go his legs and rose ano
drew his sword. But his hand was trem-
bling, ana he could scarce stand. Thei
Antonio gave TO hum Iiask that ne carrie"
holding strong waters, ana the wretch
drinking ggeeuiy. found some courage, an
came suddenly at Antonio before Antonio
looked Tor MS attack. But the coNhs
eiuded him, and drawing his blade aWalte.
the attack, and Paul seized again the flash
that he had flung on the ground anc
drained il, and. mad now with the FUMES,
rushed at Antonio shricking curses an
biasphemies. And the sun rose on the
moment that their blades crossed. and be
fore its rays had Shone minute Antonio
rad driven his sword through the hOwlius
wretchs lung, and Duke Paul lay 0y!n5
on the grassy hill.
Then Count Antonio stripped on MS
d0ublet and made pillow of IL Tor PauIs
head, and sat down by him, ana Wlpso
his brow, and disposed his body with sucb
care as seemed possible. Yet he took no
pains 10 stancn tie blood, or TO minister
TO the wound, for his intent was that Pau
should die and not live. And Paul lay
some moments on his back, then twisted
on his face; once he iiung his legs wide anc
gathered them again under his body and
shivercd, turning on his back again, anu
his jaw fell, and he died there on the toi
Of the hill. And the count closed his eyes
ard sat by him in silence for many min
utes, and once he buried his face IA his
hands. and a single sob shook him.
But now IL was growing 10 day and he
rose and took from the dukes waist the
broad silken hand THAI he wore, wrought
with golden embroidery on ground OF
royal blue. Then he took Paul ia his arms
ana set him upright against the trunk OF
asA and rg4tng Tree and DOGN Win
the rich scarf. he bound the corpse there
and he took the ivory tablet from his belt
and tied the ribbon OF the order of 81.
Prisian that was round Paurs neck. and
he wrote on the tablet: witness my
hand-AntouiO iii Monte NellutcH'
At the foot Tommasino and Martolo
awaited him, and when be came down
alone MartOlO again signed the cross. but
TCmmnsino glanced one question. and. ind
ing answer in Antonio's nod, struck his
open palm on the quarters OF Duke PauFS
horse and set il free to 30 where IL would
aud the horse, being free. started at a can
teT alUng the read 10 the city. And An
tonic mounted and set his face again to-
ward the hills. For awhile lie rode alone
in front. but when an h3ur was gone he
called 10 Tommasino. and on the lad
joining him, talked with him not gayly IN
deed Vhat could not be-. Yet with calmness
and ChcerfuinesS on the matters that con-
cernCd the band. But PduIs name uid not
cross his lps. and the manner in which
ue had dealt with iaUi on the mi rested
unknown TIL a later time, when Count An
tonic formally declared it and wrote with
his own hand how Duke PAU had died.
Thus then Count Antonio rode back TO the
hills, having executed IN The b9ay of Paul
that which seemed 70 him right and just.
Long had Duke valentine waited for
his brother in the summer house, and
greatly wondered that he came not. And
as the morning grew and vet Paul came
not, the duke feared in sorle manner An
tonic had detected the snare, anu that he
held Paul prisoner. for II did not enter
he dukes mind that Antonio would dare
To Kill his brother. And when IL was 3
o'clock the duke beavy-eyeG for want
Of sleep. left The summer house. and,
having traVersed the garden, entered els
cabinet and flung himself on couch
there. and Notwithstanding his unC2SlnosS
lJr his brother. being row very drowsy,
ne fell asleep. But before he had slept
long he was reused by TWO OF his pages.
who ran in crying thai Duke Pauls horse
had come rideriCss 10 the ldJ~ of the city.
AMI the duke SpranS UP, shifting his
singh and crying: IF harm has come to
aim / Will lot rest till L have AntoniC's
head" 50 he mustered party Of h.s
guards. some on horseback ana some on
foot, and passed with EN- speed out of the
city. seeking his brothgE and VoWing ven
Ecarce or The insoicnce Of Count Antonio.
BLt The duke was not lr#t c.-' 81 '"
city. i.- hg found Strea-, e.. ..
docking across thc bridge aiI 1T me 'rne
of the bridge was "a gathering Of mon,
hUudled close round peasant. who stood
ara the center. the p.isvmcu made "A way
for his highucss. ami when the peasant
saw him ne ran 10 MIN. and resting his
aaud on the neck OF the dukes horse, rs
though he could scarcely stand alone, he
cried. pointing with his hand 20 the hin
that rose 10 the west; "Ihc buke Paul,
the Duke Paui"' Ana no more could he
say.
'Give him horse. one Of you. and let
another lead it, cries the duke. And
forward gentlemen. Withcr he points"
At The foot OF ths hin an that had
horses Jeff them in charge II the tors wao
1 MARTY. ft... duke,
some fearful thing. would suffer none bat
= oNH men 10 mount with hlin. And thus
-ley went forward afoot till hey reached
lie grassy summit az the mn. AM tneu
the peasant spvaug Ia front, crying.
There thercl" And all or them hehr44
abe body OF Duke Paul bound 10 tne tfee
5v the embroidered scarf. his head fallen
ON his breast aud the ivory tablet hanging
from thC TluJou OF The o-ner OF 81. bris-
.au- AND great silence Ecll on them all
ana they stood EHLns At thc dead prince.
but presently Duke Valentine went for
wars alone. and he knelt ou one knee and
BOWED his head and kissed his bgoth.r's
r-nt hand. And shout Of indignation
and wrath went az from all Che crowd. and
they cried: - hose deed is tn 90 IDs
dg6e minced them not. but rose to his
Zee. ana laid his hand on the ivory tablet
and he perceived that ID was written by
Dvse Paul and he read what Paul had
written TO Antonio, how that he. the duke
being dead, Antonio should come 10 his
own again 2nG wed Lucia. ana hold fore
moss place in The duchy. And. this read
ne duke read also the subscription OF
Count antonio:
Witness my hand-Antonio di Monte
NcItuJc."
Then re was very amaze6, for he had
trusted his brother. Yet he uiG not refuse
sle testimony of the ivory tasiet, nor
suspect aus Iu.ie or deceit ia Antonio. rs
h.s instrument. Ana me stood, dry-,yci,
looking on the dead face of Duke Paul.
And. turning round. bee cried in "a loud
voice. SO that every man GA the hin heard
him. Behold the body OF traitori' and
men looked on him. and from him 10 the
faces Of one another. asking what lac
meant. But he spoke no other word and
went strals ntwav down the hin and mount
I'd mis- horse again and rode hack 20 the
city and having come to his palace he sent
Tor his son. and went with him into the
cabinet behind the great hall. where the
two stayed alone together FOR many hours.
And when the child came forth he asked
none concerning his uncle, the Duke Paul.
Now all The company had followed down
from the nil after the duke. and no man
dared 10 touch the body uHbidden. 90 that
the rain beat on f2uiS face auu the light
ming blacEened IL. Bat on the third day,
when the storm he'd ceased. the duke babe
the lieutenant of the guard TO 80 BY night
ana bring the body of Paul. and the Hell
tenant and his men dung j cloak over IT,
face. anu having thus done, brought the
body into the city at break Of day; yet
the great square was full Of folks watch
ing in awe ana silence. And they took tho
body to The cathedral and buried Il under