The Washington times., 1895-02-24

Lucia. and hard upon two since he had seen
her face, so closely did Duke Valentine hold
her prisoner in FIorinola. And as he walked
TO and fro among his men in his hiding place
in the hills. his face was sorrow ul Yet,
coming where Tommasino and Bena sat to-
gether, he stopped and listened to their talk
with SMILE For Bena cried to TommasinO:
by the saints, my lord it is even so. My
father himself had philtre from him thirty
years ago, and though before my mother had
loathed 10 look on my father. yet now here
am 1 nine and tweaty wears of age and
child Lorn in holy wedlock- Never tell me
that it is foolishness my lord
''Of whom do you speak, Bena?" asked An
tonic.
''Of the wizard OF Baretesta. my lord. Ave.
and he can do more than MAKE a love potion.
He can show you all that shall come to you
IN a mirror. and make the girl you love rise
be.or your eyes as though the shape were
good Ge-h and blood"
''Al this is fooHshness, Bena," said Count
Antonio.
We'll. God knows that" said Bena. ''But
he did II for my father and us be is twenty
years older he will be wiser still 10y now,"
and Bena st ode Of to tend his horse. some
what angry that Antonio'paid SO little heed
to his words.
1T is all foolishnoss, Tommasino," said
Antonio.
They saw that OF many thing which gives
man pleasure" said TOmmasiDo.
Il haze heard OF this man before" con-
tinned the count" and marvellous stories are
tod OF him. Now leave what shall come 10
me IN the bands Of heaven. for TO know is not
to alter. and knowledge without power is but
fretting OF the heart-but-" And Antonio
broke of.
"Ble. then, If you can, safely, and beg
him 70 show you Lucia's face" said Tom
masino, for to that Think YOU are making"
In truth / was, fool that am, - said An
tonic.
But be wary, for Barates a is but ten miles
from the city, and his highness sleeps with an
open eye"
So Antonio, albeit that he was in part
ashamed learnt from BPna where the
wizard dWelt on the bridge that was outside
the gate of Baratesta-for the syndic would
not suffer such folk to live inside the wall
an one evening he saddled his horse and
rode alone TO sc K the wizard. leaving Tom
masinO in charge of the band. And as he
went he p0nderrd sa ing: Il am a fool
vet I would see her face" and thus. still
duDbing himself fool, yet still persistIng. be
came to the bridge Of Baratesta; an 4 the
wizard. who was a very old man, and tall
and marvelously lean. met him nj the door of
the house, crying, Il looked for your COM
ing. my lord" And he took Antonio's horse
from him and stood il in a stable beside the
house. aud led Antonio in, saying again,
"Your coming was known TO me, my lord"
and be brought Antonio to a chamber at the
back OF the house. having one window. past
which the river. being then in food, rushed
with noise Rnd fury. There were many
strange things in the chamber. skulls and the
forms OF animals from iar-o9 countries, great
jars, basins. and retOrts, and in one corner a
mirror half drapei in a black cloth.
''You know who amp asked Antonio.
'That nee is no art," answered tho wizard,
'.and pretend 10 run il il. Your face, my
lord. was known 20 me as to any other man
from seeing you ride with the duke before
your banishment."
And you know that rode hither to-
nightg''
AYE" said the wizard. "for the stars told
me OF the coming OF some great man. and /
turnel from my toll and watched for you"
what toll? askel Antonio. 'See. here is
money and have quiet tongue. What
toig'
The wizard pointed to heap Of broken
and bent pieces OF base metal.
Il was turning dross to gold, said he in a
fearful whisper.
Can you do that?" asked Antonio, smil-
ing.
Il can. my lord, though but slowly"
"And hate TO love?' ked Count Antonio.
The wizard laughed harshiy.
Let them tLat prize love seek that, said
he. 1T is not for me-"
i would it had been. then had my errand
here been better one. For am come but TO
see the s"mblance OF a maiden's face
The wizard trowned as be said:
had looked for a greater matter For
you have great enemy. my lord, and have
means OF power for freeing men of their enc
mics /"
And Count Antonio, knowing that he spoke
oi some dark device OF spell or power, an
eweued:
Enough, enough. For I am a man of
quick temper, aud il is not well 10 tell me of
wicked things lest 1 be tempted to anticipate
heavens punishment -
Il shall not die at your hands. my lord. :"
sail the wizard: Come, will you see what
shall befall you?'
Nay. would but see nv lady's face. for
great yearning for that has come over met
and. for all take shame in it, il has brought
mo here"
s'You shall see it, then. and IL you see more.