The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-01-27

smploTing Lucia herself At last, with
many fears and some tears she had
yielded, and it was with glad eyes
that Ton1naSino saw the count come
forth from the door carrying Lucia in
his arms, and others sa% him also; for
a great shout came from the dukes
party. across the square, and the pike
FClen set out at q run with Robert him
self at their head. Yet so soon as they
were started, Antonio also, bearing
Lucia i'm his arms, had reached where
Tommasino was with the horses, and
an instant later he was mounted and
cried, ITO the CATER and he stuck in
his spurs and his horse bounded for
ward, TonlmaSino following No more
than a hundred yards lay between
them and the gate of the city, and be-
fore the pil1emen could bar their path
they had reached the gate. The gate
Wardens were in the act of shutting 1T,
having perceived the tumult, but Tom
masino struck at them with the fat Of
his sword, and they gave way before
phe rushing horses; and before the
great gate was shut Antonio and he
were on their way through, and the
hoofs OF their horses clattered over the
bridge. Thus Antonio was clear of the
city with his lady in his arms and
TonmaSino, his cousin. safe by his
side.
yet were they not safe; for neither
Duke Valentine nor Robert de Beaure-
gard were men who sat down under
defeat. But few moments nad passed
before there issued from the gate d
company of ten mounted and armed
men, and Robert, riding in their front
saw hard on a mile away the cousins
heading across the plain toward the
SPOT where the spurs Of Mt Agino run
down; for there was the way ofSsafety;
A,,y9
Robert and his company galloped fuTi-
ously in pursuit, while Duke Valen,
tine watched from the wall Of the
garden above the river.
Now Count Antonio was a big man
and heavy, so that his horse was
weighted down by the twofold burden
on his back; and looking behind him
he perceived that Roberts company
drew nearer, and yet nearer. And
Tomnasino, looking also, said: Il
doubt they are too many for us, for
you have the lady in your arms. We
shall not get clear Of the hills"
Then Antonio drew IN his horse a lit
tie and, letting his bride fall took the
Lady Lucia in both his arms and kissed
aner, and having thus done, lifted her
and set her on TommasinOS horse.
Thank God," said he, that you are
no heavier Than q feather
yet two feathers may ibe too much, -
said Tommasino.
Ride on said Antonio Il will
check them for a time, so that you
shall como safe to the outset of the
hill"
Tommasino obeyed him. and Antonio
riding more softly, placed himself be,
tween Tonnasino and the pursuers
Iommasino rode on with the sWonn.
ing LADY in his arms, but his face was
grave and troubled, for, as he had
sand, Two feathers may be overnuch
and Roberts company rode we'll ant
swiftly.
If Antonio can stop them, it is well.
SAID ne but if not shall not reacT
the hills" and he looked with nc grea.
1oVe on the unhappy lady, for it seemed
like enough that Antonio would az
slam Tor her sake, and Tommasiny
priced him above thousand damsels
Yet he rode on obedient.
But Antonio's scheme had not Dassei
undetected by Robert de Beauregard
and, being a man of guile and cunning
ne sWore aloud an oath that thoupI
he died himself, yet Touma sino Shout,
not carry off Lucia. Therefore. n
charged his men one and all to rid
after TommasinO and bring back Lucia
leaving him alone to be content wit
Antonio; and they were not Ioath t
obey, for il was little to their taste o
wish to surround Antonio and Kill hin
Thus, when the company came with
fifty yards Of Antonio, the ranks sud
denly parted, five diverging to til
right and four to the left, passin
Antonio in sweeping curves, so far o.
that ne could not reach them, Will
Robert alone rode straight at hin
Antonio, perceiving the stratagen
would fain have ridden again ate
Tommasino, but Robert was hard upo
him, and he was in peril OF bein
thrust through the back as he fed. S
Fe turned and faced his enemy. Bl
although Robert had sworn so bold
before his men his mind was not Whs
he had declared to them, and he d
sired to meet Antonio alone, not ths
he might fight a fair fight with hin
but in order treacherously to deceiN
hiIn-a, thing he was ashamed TO {
before his comrades. Coming up The
to Antonio, ne refined in his horse, or
ing:
highness."
when Robert, his sword lying u
touched in his sheath, leaped from d
horse and approached him. he di
mounted also, and Robert s9ld 70 mn
I have charged them TO inju
neither the Lady Lucia nor your cous
nv so much as hair, for the du
bids me to say that ne will not co
strain the lady,
rs she then given to me?" cri
Antonio, his face lighting up with
marvellous eagerness.
Nav. not so fast" answered Robe
with subtle cunning. 'The duke W
not give her to you now. But he w
exact from you and from me alike
oath not TO moiest-no, not to see p
for three months, and then she sh
choose as she will between US.
While he spoke this fair speech
had been drawing nearer to Anton
and Antonio, not yet convinced of
honesty, drew back a pace. Tn
Robert let go hold of his horse, L
Duckled his sword and flung it on
ground, and came to Antonio with OF
stretched hands.
"Beholdr' said he. 81 am in yc
mercy, my lord. II you Go not belle
me, slay me"
Antonio looked at him with scare
ing. wistful eyes. He hated to "
against the duke, and his heart v
afane with the hope that dweh
him in Roberts words; for ne did 1
doubt but that neither three mon
ror three years nor three hundl
years could change his lady's love.
You speak fair, sir said he, 60
what warrant have I?'
land save your honor what war;!
have I who stand here unarmed Def
you?' asked Robert.
For a while Antonio pondered. tt
he said:
MY lord, I must crave your pare
for my words; hut the matter is
great that to your word I dare
CON- mill 7siT7 Ia aaIy ~