The Washington times., 1895-03-10

kept strict guard on aIl who left or entered
the city, in that it was rather like town
hes eyed than the chief place of peaceful
realm.
Now al this time, considering that his
hiding place was too well known to the
Lord Lorenzo and certain of the dukes
guard. Count Antonio descended from the
hills by night, and having crossed the
plains, carrying all his equipment with
him, mounted again into the heights OF
Mount Agnino and pitched his camp III
and about a certain cave, which is shell
tered on two sides by high rocks and on
the third by steep bank of a river, and
can be approached by one path only.
This cave was known to the duke, b1s he
could not force il without great loss, so that
Antonio was well nigh as safe as when his
hiding place had been unknown; and yet
he was nearer by half TO the city, and but
seven miles as a bird flies from the village
of Rilano. where the Lady Venusta dwelt,
although to one who Travelled by the only
path that a man could go upright on his
feet the distance was hard on eleven
miles But no other place was so near,
and from Rilano Antonio drew the better
part of his provisions and stores of which
he had need, procuring them secretly
from the people, who were very strictly
enjoined by the duke to furnish him moth
ing under pain OF forfeiture OF all their
goods. Yet one days when tn eman they
called Bena and a dozen more rode in
the evening through Rilano, returning
toward the cave, the maid servant OF
Venusta met them and with her men bearing
a great cask OF fine wine, and the maid
servant said to Bena:
MY mistress bids you drink; for good
men should not suffer thirst"
But Bena answered her, asking:
.'Do YOU know who We are?"
AYE, know, and my lady knows, said
rfr1 my lady that III she
must live in Rilano, then she VIII do what
she pleases in Rlano."
Bena and his men looked at one another
for they knew OF his highness' proclama-
tions, but the day having been hot, they
being weary, the wine seeming good, and
woman knowing her own business best, at
last they drank heartily, and rendering
much thanks, rode on and told TOmmasino
what had been done. And Tommasino
having told Antonio, the count was angry
with Beua, saying that his gluttony would
bring trouble on the Lady Venusta.
''She should not attempt man. said
Bena, sullenly.
AN these things happened in the second
day OF the week, ana On the fourth, toward
evening. as Antonio and Tommasino sat
in front OF the cave, they saw coming toward
them one OF the band named Luigi, a big
fellow. who had done good service, and was
also a merry, jovial man. that took the lead
in good fellowship. Ana IN MS arms LUIGI
bore the Lady Vcnusta Her gown was
disheve!ed ana tom, and the velvet shoes
on her feet were cut almost to shreds; and
she lay back i'm Luigi's arms pale and ex-
bausted. Luigi came and set her down
gently before Antonio, saying
MY lord, three miles from here. in the
steepest and toughest part OF the way,
found this lady sunk on the ground and hali
swooning; when ra ised her and asked her
how she came where she was and in such
plight she could answer nothing save,
Count Antoniol Garry me 10 Count An
tonio! SO have brought her, in obedience
20 her request.
As Lulgi ended Venusta opened her
eyes, and rising to her knees. held out her
hands in supplication, saying: Protect
me. my lord. protect me- For the duke has
sent me word that tomorrow night he will
burn my house and all that il holds. and Ill
take me and lodge me in prison, and so use
me there that j may know what befalls
those who give aid to traitors And all
this comes upon me, my lord. because gave
a draught Of wine 10 your men when they
Were thirsty"
Il feared this thing" said Antonio.
land deeply ! grieve IT, But am loath
20 go in open war against the duke. and in
the plain; be would also be too strong for
me- What, then. can / do? For here is
no place in which lady, the more if she be
alone and unattended, can be lodged with
seemliness.