The Washington times., 1895-02-03

But, seeing Paul, Tommasino left his sonnet
and with cry OF wonder sprang TO meet
him. and Paul took him by both hands and
saute1 him.
That night and the morning that followed
Paul abode with Antonio, eating OF good
cheer and drinking the good wine that
Tommasine. who had charged himself with
the care of such matters. put before him;
whence they came from Pall asked not, nor
did Iommasino say more than that they were
offerings to Count Antonio, but whether
offerings of free will or no he said not. And
during this time Paul spoke much with An
tonic privily and apart. persuading him of
his friendship and speaking most pitiful
things o! the harshness showed by Valentine,
his brother. to the l ady Lucia, and how the
lady grew pale and pined. and pined SO that
the physicians knit their brows over her,
and the woman said no drugs would patch a
broken heart Thus he infiRmed Antonio's s
mind with a great rage against the duke, so
that he fell TO counting the men he had and
wondering whether there Was force to go
openly against the city. But in sorrow Paul
answered that the pikemen were too many.
but there is way and better" said
Paul, leaning his head near to AnIonio's ear.
"a way whereby you may come TO your own
again, and rebuild your house that The duke
has burned, and 10Y the love of Lucia, and
hold foremost place in the duchy."
''What wav is that?" asked Antonio. in
wondering eagerness. "Indeed, / am willing
to serve his highness in any honorable SER
vice, il by that / may win his pardon and
come TO that long for"
His rardoul When did he pardon?'
sneered Paul.
To know honest men and leave them to
their honesty is the last great gift of yillainy.
But Paul had it not, and now he unfolded to
Antonio the plan that he had made, saving
(as needs not be said) that part of it whereby
Antonio himself was to meet his death. For
pretext, he alleged that the duke oppressed
the city. and that he. Paul, was put out of
favor because he had sought to protect the
people, and was fallen in great suspicion.
Yet. judging Antonios heart by his own, he
dwelt again and longer on the charms OF
Lucia and OF the grea: things he would give
Antonio when he ruled the duchy for his
nephew: for of the last crime he meditated,
the death OF the child. he said nought then
protesting to love the child.
When the tale had begun sudden start ran
through Antonio. and his face flushed; but
he sat still and listened with unmoved face,
his eyes gravely regarding Paul the while.
No anger did he show, nor wonder, nor
scorn, nor now any eagerness; but he gazed
AT the prince with calm, musing glance, as
though he considered of some great question
put before him. And when Paul ended his
tale, Antonio sat yet silent and musing. But
Paul was trembling now, and he stretched
out his hand and laid it on Antonio's knee,
and asked with feigned laugh that choked
in the utterance:
well. friend Antonio, is it clever plan,
and will you ride with me?''
Minute followed minute before Antonio
answered. AT length the frown vanished
from his brow and his face grew calm and
set. and he answered Duke Paul. saying:
''It is such plan as you, my lord, alone oi
all men in the duchy could make, and will
ride with you.'
Then Paul in triumph caught him by the
hands and pressed his hands, calling him a
man OF fine spirit and a true friend who
should not lack reward. Aud all this Anto-
Mo suffered silently. and in silence still he
listened while Paul told him that path led
secretly from the bank of the river, through
the wall 10 the summer house, where the
duke was to be. OF this gate he alone, save
the duke, had the key; they had but TO swim
the river aud enter by this gate. Secreting
Antonio, Paul would talk with the duke: then
! he would go and carry of what remained oi
10 the hills, and Antonio, having done his
deed, could return by the same secret path
cross the river again, and rejoin his friends.
And in a short space of time Paul would re-
call him with honor to the city and give him
! Lucia 10 wife.
And If there be a question as TO the hand
that dealt the blow there is q rascal whom
the duke flogged but a few days since-s
steward in the palace. He deserves hanging
Antonio, for a thousand things of which he /.
/ guilty, and it will trouble me little to hang
HIN for one whereof he chances to be limo
cent" And Duke Paul laughed heartily.
81 will ride with you, said Antonio againt
Then, it being full midday, they Sat dowI