The Washington times., 1895-03-17

| Dy 1OtlIndSlnO, Benz, anu tnelr party, WHO
| had ridden as fast as the WEAKNESS of their
| horses let them. But because they had
| ridden fast their horses were foundered and
| they had dismounted and were now coming
| on foot and Lorenzo heard them coming,
| Just as he also had decided to go forward
| on foot and had caused the horses to be led
| into the wood and tethered there. And he
| asked:
who are these?"
Then one of his men, skilled woodsman
| and hunter, listening, answered: ''They
are short of n dozen, my lord They must
be come with tidings from the lieutenant
of the guard For they would be more if
the lieutenant came himself, or if by chance
Tommasno'S band had eluded him"
Come" said Lorenzo. THE capture
of the count must be ours, not theirs. Let
US go forward without delay"
Thus Lorenzo ard his men pushed on, and
but the half OF a mile behind came Tom
masino and his, and again three or four
miles behind them came the lieutenant and
his; and all these companies were pressing
on toward the cave where Antonio and
Venusta Were. But Tommasino,s 8 men still
marched the quicker, and they gained on
Lorenzo. while the lieutenant did not gain
on them; yet by reason of the unceasing
windings OF the way, as it twisted up round
rocks and SKINNED precipices, they did
not come in Sight of Lorenzo, nor did he see
them, indeed he thought now of nothing
but OF COMING first on Antonio ard of
securing the glory of taking him before the
lieutenant came up. And TommaSino,
drawing near the cave, gave his men
orders TO walk very silently, for he hoped
TO surprise Lorenzo unawares. Thus, as
the sun sank out OF sight, Lorenzo came TO
the cave and to the open space between it
and the river, and beheld Antonio standing
with his back against the rock ard his
drawn sword in his hand, and Venusta
crouching on the ground some PAGES away.
When Fenusta saw Lorenzo she gave
sharp, stfled cry. but did not move An
tonic smiled and drew himself TO his full
height.
Your tricks have served you well, my
lord" he said Here / am alone and
crippled"
"Then yield yourself up" said Lorenzo.
I'VE are twenty TO ore" "
Il viii not yield" said Antonio. 81
can die here as we'll as at Forniola, and
thrust is better than moose" -"
Then Lorenzo, being gentleman OF
high spirit and courage, waved his men
back, and they stood still ten PAGES off,
watching intently, as Lorenzo advanced
toward Antonio. for though Antonio was
lame, yetthey looked to fine fighting And
Lorenzo advanced toward Antonio, and
said again:
Yield yourself, my lord"
81 will not yield said Antonio again.
At this instant the woodsman, who was
with Lorenzo, raised his hand to his ear and
listened for moment, but ToIsrassino came
softly and the woodsman was deceived.
at is but leaves" he said, and turned again
to watch Lorenzo. And that lord spraRg
firrcely on Antonio and the SWORDS crossed,
And as they crossed Fenusta cTawled on her
knees nearer, and as the swords played,
nearer still she came, none noticing her till
at length she was within three yards of Lo-
rcnzo. He WAS now pressing ARtenio hard,
for the count was in great pain from his foot,
and so often as he was compelled to rest his
weight on it ii came near 20 failing him, nor
could he follow up any advantage he might
gain against Lorenzo. Thus passed three
or four minutes in the encounter. And the
weodsman cried: ''Hsrki Here comes the
lieutenant. Quick, my lord, or you lose
half the gloryt" Then Lorenzo sprang
afresh on Antonio Yet as he sprang an
other sprang aso, and as that other sprang
there rose shout from LorenZo's men. Yet
they did not rush TO aid in the capture OF
Antonio, but turned themselves round For
Bcna, with Tomnasino at his heels, had
shot among them like a great stone
from catsDult; and this man Bena was
a great fighter. And now he was all afiame
with love and fear for Count Antonio. And
he crashed through the ranks and split the
head ofthe wo0dsnan with the heavy sword
he carried and thus he came to Lorenzo. But
there in amazement he stood still. For
Antonio and Lorenzo had dropped their
points and fought no more. Bat both stood
with their eyes on the slim figure of a girl
that lay on the ground between them, and
blood was pouring from q wound in her
breast, and she moaEed softly. And while
the rest fought fierceiy these three stood
looking on the girl, and Lorenzo looked
also on his sword, which was dyed three
inches up the blade. For as he thrust most
flercely at Antonio, Vennsta had sprung at
him with the spring of a young tiger, a
dagger flashing IN her hand, and in the in
stinct that sudden danger briggs, he had
turned his blade against her, and the point
of il was deep in her breast before he drew
it back with horror and a cry OF Christ,
l have killed iferi" And she fell full on the
ground at the feet Of Count Antonio, who
had stood motonless in astonShment, with
his sword in rest.
Now the stiffness and secresy of Tomn8-
sino's approach kad served him well for he
had come upon LorenZo's men when they
had no thought OF an enemy, but stood
crowded together shoulder to shoulder,
and several of them were slain ana more
hurt before they could use their swords to
any purpose, and Tonmarino's men had
fallen on them with great fury, and had
broken through them even IS Bena had,
and. getting above them, were now, step
by step, driving them down the path, and
formed a ram part betweenthe EN- and the three
who stood by the dying lady. And when
B-na perceived this advantage, wasting
little thought on Venusta The was O hard
man, this Bena), he cried TO Antonio: Leave
him to me. my lord. We lave him Rure!''
and in an instant he would have sprung at
Lorenzo, who, finding himself between
two enemies, knew that his state was peril
Gus, but was yet minded TO defend him
self. But Antonio suddenly cried in loud
voice. "Stayi" and, arrested by his voice,
n
masino and his men at the top of the path, |
and his guards JuEt below them. And An
tonic, leaning on his sword, stepped pace
forward and said TO LorenZo:
My lord, the dice have fallen against |
you. But would not fight over this lady's |
body. The truth Of all she did j know. yet |
she has at the last died that ! might live. !
See, M men are betweenyou and yourmen." |
1t is the hazard of war said Lorenzo. |
Aye said Bena He had killed you,
my lord Antonio. had we rot come"
But Antonio pointed to the boGy of Ven |
usta. And she. at the instant. moa ned again, |
and turned on her back and gasped and |
died. yet just before shs died her eyes sought !
Antonio 8 eyes, and he dropped suddenly on |
his knees beside her, and took her hand and |
kissed her brow. And they saw that she |
smiled in dying. Then LeTenzo brushed a |
hand across his eyes and said to Antonio |
suffer nie to go back with my men, and !
for a week there shall be a truce between |
u.s."
Let it be So" said Antonio. And Bena |
smiled, for he knew that the lieutenant OF /
the guard must now be near at hand Bat |
this he did not tell Antonio, fearing that |
Antonio would tell Lorenzo. Then Lo- |
renZo, with uncovered head, passed through /
the rank of Tomma5ino 'sRen, and he etookup |
his dead, and with them went down the |
path, leaving VenuSta where she lay
And when he had gone two mil es he met |