The Washington times., 1895-01-27

ment for which that wicked man schemed
and bid was come. Still holding Antonio's
stirrup with one hand, he drew swift as light
ming from under his cloak dagger different
from the toy in his belt-short, strong, broad,
and keen.
And that moment had been Antonio's last
had it not chanced that on the instant Robert
drew tho dagger the horse started pace
aside, and Antonio, taken unawares, stumbled
forward and came near falling on the ground.
His salvation lay in that stumble, for Robert,
having put all his strength into the blow and
then striking, not Antonio, but empty air, in
his turn staggered forward and could not
recover himself before Antonio turned round,
smile at his own unwariness on his lips.
Then he saw the keen. broad knife in the
hand OF Robert. Robert breathed quickly and
glarei at him, but did not rush on him. He
stood glaring. the knife in his hands, his
parted lips displaying grinning teeth. Not q
word spoke Antonio. but he drew his sword
and pointed where Roberts sword lay on the
grass The traitor, recognizing the grace
that allowed him to take his sword, shamed,
it may be, by such return for his treachery,
in silence lifted and drew it. and, withdraw
ing to @ distance from the horses, which
quietly cropped the grass, the two faced one
another.
Calm and easy were the bearing and the
air OF Count Antonio, if the pictures Of him
that live drawn in the words of those who
knew him be truthful-calm and easy ever
was ho, save when he fought; but then it
seemed as though there came upon him
sort OF fury, akin to madness. or (as the
ancients would have fabled) to some iDspira-
tion from the god OF war, which transformed
him utterly, imbuing him with a rage and
rushing impetnosity. Here lay his danger
when matched with such swordsman as was
little Tommasino; but for all that, few cared
to meet him, some saying that though they
called themselves as brave as Others yet they
seemed half appalled, when Count Antonio.
set upon them, for he fought as though he
must surely win and as though God were
with him.
Thus now he darted upon Robert de Beau
regard in seeming recklessness of receiving
thrust himself, yet ever escaping them by his
sudden resources and dexterity. and ever
himself attacking leaving no space to take
breath and bewildering the others practised
skill by the dash and brilltanee OF his assault.
And 1t may be also that the darkness, which
WAS now falling fast, hindered Robert the
more, for Antonio was famed for the keen
ness OF his eyes by night. Be those things
as they may, in the very moment when Rob-
ert pricked Antonio in tie left arm and cried
out in triumph on his stroke, Antonio leaped
on him and drove his sword through his
heart. and Rooert, with the sword yet in him,
fell TO the ground groaning. And when An
tonic drew forth the sword the man at his
feet died. Thus, If it be Gods will. may all
traitors perish.
Antonio looked around the plain, but 1t
grew darker still, and even his sight did not
avail for more than some three score yards.
Yet he saw dark mass on his right, distant,
as he judged, that space or more. Rapidly
il moved; surely it was group OF men gal
Looping, and Antonio stood motionless, regard
Ing them. But they swept on, not turning
whittier he stood, and he unable 10 tell what
they did, whether they sought him or whittier
they went, watched them till they faded away
In the darkness. and then, leaving Robert
where he lay, mounted his horse and made
speed toward the hills, praying that there he
should find his cousin and the Lady Lucia,
escaped from the pursuit OF the Dukes men.
Yet had he known what those dimly dis
cerned riders bore with them he would have
been greatly moved at all costs and at every
hazard to follow after them and seek TO over
take them before they came to the city.
On he rode toward the hills, quickly yet
not so hastily but that he scanned the ground
as be went so well as the night allowed him.
The moon was risen now, and to see was
easier When he had covered distance Of
some two miles, he perceived something
lying across his path. Bending to look, he
found it to be the corpse of horse; he
leaped down and bent over it. It was the
horse Tommasino had ridden; it was ham
strung, and its throat had been cut. Antonio,
seeing it in sudden connection of calamity
cried aloud. and to his wonder his cry was
answered by q voice, which came IRON a
clump of bushes fifty yards on the right.
He ran hastily to the spot, thinking nothing
of his own safety. nor of anything else than
what had befallen his friends; and under the
shelter OF the bushes, two men of the Dukes
Guard, their horses tethered near them,
squatted on the ground, and between them lay,
full length on the ground. Tommasino. His
face was white, his eyes closed, aud bloody
bandage was about his head. One OF the
two by MIN had forced his lips open, and was
giving him to drink from bottle. The other
sprang up on sight of Antonio and laid q
hand on his swordhlt.
Peace, peaceI' said Antonio. SIS the lad
dead?''
"He is not dead, my lord, but he is sore
hurt"
''And what do you here with him? And
how did you take him?'
"We came up with him here and sur
rounded him, and while some of US held him
in front. one cut the hamstrings of his horse
from behind, and the horse fell, and with the
horse the lady and the young lord. He was
up in an instant, but as he rose the lieutenant
struck him on the head and dealt him the
wound you see. Then he could fight no
more. and the lieutenant took the lady. and
with the rest rode back toward the city, leav-
ing us charged with the duty of bringing the
young lord in. as soon as he was in state TO
come with US.
''They took the lady?"
Even so, my lord
"And why did they not seek for me?"
''The feIlow-Martolo was his name
smiled grimly, and his comrade, looking up,
answered:
'Maybe they did not wish to find you, my
lord. They have been eight to one, and could
bo,-a fol ilaI 70 oil in "a end -
SAY, in the end, sad Martolo. laughing
low.
Nor" added he, ''had the lieutenant such
great love for Robert de Beauregard thar he
would rejoice to deliver you to death for his
sake, seeing that you are Monte Veliuto and
he Sensoy--
.'Peace! He is dead,'' said Count Antonio.
''You have killed him?" they cried with
one voice.
He attacked me in treachery and | have
killed him. answered Antonio.
For awhile there was a silence Then An
tonic asked:
1.-The lady did she go willlngly?''
''She was frightened and dazed by her fall
my lord; she knew not what she did nor
what they did TO her. And the lieutenant
took her in front of him, aud holding her
with all gentleness so rode toward the city"
"God keep her." said Antonio.
"Amen, poor lady, said Martolo. doffing
his cap.
Then Antonio whistled to his horse, which
came TO his side. With gesture he ba6e the
men stand aside and they obeyed him; and
he gathered Tommasino in his arms.
"Hold my stirrup, that 1 may mount"
said he; and still they obeyed. But when
they saw him mounted with Tommasino
seated in front of him, Martolo cried:
but, my lord we are charged to take him
back and deliver him to the duke
'sAnd if you do?' asked Antonio.