The Washington times., 1895-02-03

II will not go till you have written the
promise
Now. Paul was somewhat 10th TO write that
promise fearing that 1t should be found on
Antonio's body before he could contrive to
remove it, but without il Antonio declared he
would not go SO Paul wrote. bethinking
himself that he held safe in his house at home
permission from the duke to seek Antonio
and beguile him to the city, and that with the
witness Of his commission he could come Off
safe, even though the tablet were found on
Antonio. Taking the peril, then. rather than
fail, he wrote. setting forth the promises he
made to Antonio in case (tnus he phrased it
OF the death of his brother. And he delivered
the tablet to Antonio, and Antonio, restoring
the lantern TO Mar olo, bestowed the tablet
about him, and they set forth again.
AS the clock of the tower of the cathedral,
distantly booming in their ears sounded the
hour of 2, they came to where the road
parted. In one direction it ran level across
the plain to the river and the city, and by this
way they must 90, if they would come to the
secret gate and thence to the Dukes summer
house. But the second road left the plain
and mounted the hill that faces the wicket
gate which is now called the hill of Duke
Paul. And at the parting of the road An
tonic reined in his horse and SAT silent for a
great while. Again, Paul. scanning his face
was troubled, so that Martolo. who had
drawn nigh. saw him wipe drop from his
brow, and he said:
'For what wait We, Antonio? Time presses,
for it has gone 2 o'clock"
Then Antonio drew him apart and fixing
his eyes on him, said:
what of the child? What mean you by
the child? How does it profit you that the
father die, if the child live?"
Paul, deeming that Antonio doubted him
and saw a snare, and holding it better to
seem the greatest of villains than to stir sus-
picion in man who held him in his hands,
smiled cunningly. and answered:
81 he child will grow sichly and pine when
his father is not alive TO care for him.. ,.
1T is enough" said Antonio; and again
flush mounted in his face and died down
again, and left him pale. For some think he
would have turned from his purpose. had
Paul meant honestly by the child. know
not. Al least the iou murder plotted against
the child made him utterly relentless.
"Let us go and end the matter" urged
Paul, full of eagerness, and again of that
strange uneasiness born of Antonio's air.
SAY. We will 60 on and finish it, said
Antonio. and with that he ieapt down from
his horse. Paul did the like, for it had been
agreed that the others with the horses were
to await Antonio's return, while the count
and Paul went forward on foot; and Tom
masino and Martolo, dismounting also, tied
the horses 10 trees and stood waiting Antonio's s
orders.
"Forwardr' cried Paul.
"Come, then, said Antonio, and he turned
to the road that mounted the hill.
1T is by the other road we CO." said Paul.
''It is by this road said Antonio. and ne
raised his hand and made certain sign,
whereat the swords of his friends leaped from
| their scabbards. and they barred the way so
that Duke Paul could turn nowhere save to
the road that mounted the hili Then Paul's
face grew long-drawn and sallow with sudden
| fear.
"What means this?" he cried "What
means this, Antonio?"
"It means, my lord. that you must mount
| the hill with me" answered Antonio, 'even
to the top of it, whence man can see the
CITY,
"But for what?''
"That this matter may be finished said
Antonio. and coming to Paul, he laid a hand
on his shoulder and turned him tc the path
] up the hill But Paul, seeing his face and
the swords Of Tommasino and Martolo that
barred all escape, seized his hand, saying:
"Before God, mean you true, Antonio
AS Christ died for US, mean you true, An
tonio!"
"Of that know not and care not. yet dc
not swear it now by Christ's name il it be moi
true. How meant you, my lord. by your
brother and your brothers son?"
Paul licked his lips, for they had gone dry
and he breathed as a man pants who has run
! far and fast
you are three to one." he hissed.
"Weshall be but man to man on the top Of
the hill, !" said Antonio.
Then suddenly Tommasino spoke unbid.
ben.
''There LIS a priest in the village mile