The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-04-01
Copyright 1850

tiful misunderstanding VISION IMAM Il HNlhS
maiden; and tho ugh she strove to form
words with her Ups, yet no words came.
Therefore it wax by muteness that she
besought pity forfher and pardon for her
lover. But the dukeN leaning yet further To-
ward her. had fallen, but that the physician,
kneeling. passed his( arm round his BODY
and held him up, and he said in low, hoarse
tones and like a NAH that is amazed ana
full of awe and yet moved with gladness
so great that he cam ot believe IN IL;
"Who is it? Who is il =
And the Lady Lucia lstill could not an
swer him. And he. crttning toward her,
spake to her in entreatyt
''Margharita, Margharta!'
Then, indeed. all maryeled. for the name
that the duke spoke was the name by
which the princess. who had been his wife
and was dead, had been called; and they
perceived that his highness. overcome by
his sickness. had lost discernIlent and con-
ceved the Lady Lucia TO be not herself
but the spirit of his dead love. come to him
from heaven, to which deluson her white
robes and her deathlilIe pallor might well
incline him. And now the wonder and fear
left his face, and there came in place of
them a great joy and rapture, so that his
sun6en eyes CLEANED, his lips qulVered ana
he beckoned with his hand, murmuring:
Il am ready, J am ready, MarSharlta!
And while this passed all who were too dis
the signal came not but supposed that the
Lady Lucia had interceded for Count An
tonic and that his hiShness was now an
awering her prayer; some hoped that he
would grant it. And Antonio stood on the
scaffold between the Lord Lorenzo and the
executioner. and his eyes We're set on Lucia.
Then the duke spoke again TO the Lady
Lucia. saying:
Il have been lonely-very lonely How
pale your face is, my sweet. Come to me-
] cannot come to you, for am very SICK.
And he held out his hand toward her again.
But she was now very bewildered for
she could not understand the words which
his highness used TO her, and she looked
round seeking some one who might tell
her what they meant, but none moved
from his place or came near to her; and at
last she founG voice enough to say in soft
tones. "Antorio, my lord, the Count An
-ani2'
Aye, I kndw that : on loved him." SAID
the duke. "liut since then he has done
great crimes ana ne must die. Yet speak not
of him now. but come here to me, Mar
gharita."
Then with wavering steps she came to-
ward him, Tfunting the first of the steps,
and she said c 1 know not what You would,
my lord, o.. why you call me by the
name of Margharita. 1 am Lucia, and
come to ask Antonio's life"
Lucia Lucia" said he, and his face
grew doubtful NAY, but you are my
Margharita," he said.
NO, my lord" she answered, as with
wavering, uncertain steps she mounted
till she stood but one step below where
his couch was placed, and then she fell
on her knees on the highest step and clasp
ed her hands, crying "Have mercy, my
lord, have mercy! Think, my dear lord
how l love him. For if he dies l must die
also, my lord All, my lord, you have
known love. You loved our sweet Mary
Margharita; was not her name now on
your lips? So l love Antonio; SO he loves
me. All, my lord. Christ Jesus teaches
pityr And she buried her face in her
hands and sobbed.
Then the duke, his physician, and now
the master Of the household also support
ing him, stretched himself over the edge
of his couch, and, putting out his hand
with feverish strength, plucked the Lady
Lucia's hands away from her face and
gazed at it. And when he had gazed a
moment, he gave a great cry, "Ah, Cod -
and flung his arms up above his head and
fel back into the arms of his physician.
who laid him down on his couch, whore
he lay motionless, his eyes shut. and his
chin resting on his breast And all looked
at the physician, and he answered: NAY,
he is no. dead yet"
"Why taues the signal?' asked An
tonic of Lorenzo on the scaffold.
1T must be that the Lady Lucia be-
seeches him for your life my lord an
swered Lorenzo. Indeed. l wish the duke
would hearken to her prayer"
'He will not turn for her" said Antonio
But presently the report of what had
passed spread from those round the duke
to the pkemcn, and they, loving a marvel
as most mon do, must needs tell it to the
people, and murmur of wonder arose,
and the report reached the guards at the
scaffold, who came and told Lorenzo in
the hearing Of Antonio of the strange de-
fusion that had come upon the duke.
Gle must be sick to DEATH" said Lo-
renzo.
Il pray not" said Count Antonio. Tor
though he is a stern man, yet he is an
able and just prince, and this fancy OF his
is very pitifui.'
40 you spare pity for him?" asked Lo-
repzo.
"Shall I not pity all who have lost their
lives% answered Antonio with smile,
and his eye rested on the form of the Lady
Lucia kneelng by the dukes couch
For hard half an hour the duke lay as
he had fallen, but at last, his physician
having used all his skill to rouse him, he
opened his eyes, and Clutched his physi-
clans hand and pointed to Lucia, saying:
"Who is she?"
1T is the Lady Lucia, my lord" an
swered the physician.
'AnQ there was none elSS dSheu Inc
duke, in low, tremulous whisper
81 saw no other my lord"
But l saw her." said the duke II saw
her even as / saw her last, when she lay
on her bed and they took the child out of
her dead arms"
1T was the weakness of your malady.
my lord, that made the vision before your
eyes"
ALAS, was it no more?" moaned the
duke Indeed | am very weak; there is
a blur before my eyes l cannot see who
This lady is that lzneels before me. Who
is she and what ails herr And having
said this in fretful tones, he lay back on
his pillow, gaspnS.
Then the master of the household came
forward and said 10 him:
My lord this is the Lady Lucia, and
she kneels before your highness praying
for the life of Count Antonio. because she
loves him"
Now the name of Count Antonio when
spoken by him reused the duke more than