The Washington times., 1895-03-24
Antonio Alone With the Duke.

20 him a fair gift Of choice meats and fruits
by the hand OF TommasinO. And Tom
rnasino came with six OF the band and de-
Iivered the gift, and might have rode back
fl all safety. as did the six who came with
him. But Philip has fair daughter, and
TommasinO, caught toy her charms, made
bold 10 IiRger at Philips house, trusting
that his presence there would not he known
TO the Duke. and vcnturing his own neck for
the smiles of red lips and the glanCes OF
bright eyes. as young men have done since
this old world began. Bat one OF the duke's s
spies. OF whom he maintained many,
brought word to him OF Tommasino's rash
ness and as TommaSnO at last rode forth
privlly in the even ne, singing a love song
and huggiHg in bis bosom glove that the
lady had suffered him to carry off. he came
suddenly yiBtoan ambush Ofthe Dukes sguard.
was pulled violently from his horse, and
before he could so much as draw his sword,
behold his arms were seized and the Lord
Lorenzo stood before him, with DOTTED cap
and moCking smile!
But when word came to Antonio that Tom
masinO was taken. be withdrew himself
from the rest of the band, who Were lament
ing the untoward chance, and walked by
himself 10 9Hd fro for long while. And
he gaZed once on the picture OF Lady Lucia,
which was always round his neck. Then
he sat down and wrote letter to the duke,
saying. Ny gracious, lord, am here with
fifty men. stout and brave fellows, and If
my cousin dies there shall be no peace in
the duChy But my heart is heavy already
for those that have died in my quarrel, and
I may not endure TOmmasinO's death.
Therefore, let TOmmasino 90, and grant
fun pardon and Oblivion to him and TO all
who are here with me, and swearto do this
with q binding oath; and then / VIII come
and deliver myself 10 you, and suffer such
doom as seems good TO your highness May
Almighty God, assuage your highness'
sickness ana keep you in al things. An
tonic of Monte Vellujo." And this letter
he sent to tie Duke Valentine. who, hay-
Ing received it, pondeTed long, but al last
said 10 Lorenzo:
Il do not love to let Tonmasino go nor to
pardon these lawlcss knaves, yet for five
years / have pursued Antonio and have
not taken him. And / am weary, and the
country is racked and troubled by cur
strife"
with Antonio dead all would be quiet,
my lord. - said Lorenzo.
Then the dukes eyes flashed, and he raid:
1T shall be so. And bid them strengthen
the Pibbet, for Antonio is large man, and
he sEall surely hang on it.
But BorteRzo was grieved, for he esteemed
Antonio, yet he obeyed the Dukes com
mands, and took from the Duke letter
for Antonio. wherein he swore to ali that
Antonio asked, and bade him come alone,
or with one companion only, into the
city on the day that had been before ap-
pointed for the hanging OF Tommasino.
And further, the Lord Lorenzo gathered
1cEeih.r all the pikeDgen and every man
that served the Duke, and placed them
all as guard, and proclaimed that any
man besides found carrying arms in the
city should BE- held as the Dukes enemy,
for he feared that the townsmen, who
Iovec Antonio, would attempt something
on his behalf. Bgt when the townsmen
saw tn great force that Lorenzo had
gathered, they dared attempt nothing,
although they were sore gTleyed, and la
nented bitterly. And the Lady Lucia,
looking from the window OF her house,
beheld those who were erecting the gib-
bet. and wept for her lover. AS for Tom
lnasino when he heard that he was not to be
hanged, but to be set free, and Antonio
suffer death in his place, be was like
man mad. and iis rage and grief could not
be restrained, for he declared that he
would NOT live IL Antonio died, and did
not cease to reproach himself bitterly.
Therefore the Lord Lorenzo held him
confined in his own house, lest be should
do himself some harm, or endeavor by
some desperate device to prevent Antonio
from fulfilling his purpose; but he treated
him with all courtesy, for he was sorry
for his plight.
Now. Count Antonio feared his cOmpan-
ions. and did not dare to tel them OF what
- had done lest their obedience should fan