The Washington times., 1895-01-27

ing behind him he perceived that Roberts
company drew nearer and yet nearer. And
Tommasino, looking also, said: II 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 little,
and letting his bridal fall, took tho Lady
Lucia in both his arms and kissed her, and
having thus done, lifted her and set her
on Tommasinois horse. s
"Thank Go1,' said he, "that you are no
heavier than feather
''Yet two feathers may be too much" said
Tommasino.
ride on" said Antonio, 81 win check
them for ime. so that you shall come safe
to the outset or the hill"
Tommasino obeyed him. and Antonio riding
more softly, placed himself between Tomma-
sino and the pursuers. Tommasino rode on
with the swooning lady in his arms, but his
face was grave and troubled, for as he had
said, two feathers may be overmuch, and
Roberts company rode well and swiftly
"lf Antonio can stop them, 1t is we'll - said
he, "but If not shall not reach the hills"
and he looked with no great love on the un-
happy lady, for it seemed like enough that
Antonio would be slain for her sake. and
Tommasino priced him above a thousand
damsels. Yet he rode on obedient
But Antonio's scheme had not passed unde-
tected by Robert de Beauregard; and, being
man of guile and cunning. he swore aloud an
oath that though he died himself, yet Tomma-
sino should not carry of Lucia. Therefore,
he charged his men one and all to ride after
Tommasino and bring back Lucia, leaving
him alone TO contend with Antonio: and they
were not loath to obey, for it was little 10
their taste or wish to surround Antonio and
kill him. Thus, when the company came
within fifty yards of Antonio, the ranks sud-
denly parted, five diverGing to the right and
four to the left, passing Antonio in sweeping
curves, SO far off that he could not reach
them, while Robert alone rode straight at
him. Antonio. perceiying the stratagem,
would fain have ridden again after Tom
masino, but Robert was hard upon him. and
he was in peril of being thrust through the
back as he fed.
So he turned and faced his enemy. But al
though Robert had sworn so boldly before his
men his mind was not what he had declared
to them, and he desired TO meet Antonio
alone, not that he might fight fair fight
with him, but in order treacherously to de-
ceive him-a thing he was ashamed to do be-
fore his comrades. Coming up then to Anto-
nio, he reined in his horse, crying:
'AIy lord. bring peace from his high
ness
Antonio wondered to hear him; yet when
Robert. his sword living untouched in his
sheath, leaped from his horse and approached
him, he dismounted also, and Robert said TO
him:
81 have charged them to iniure neither the
lady Lucia nor your cousin by so much as
hair, for the duke bids me to say that he will
not coustrain the lady
"Is she then given to me?" cried Antonio,
his face lighting up with a marvellous eager
ness.
"Nay, not so fast" answered Robert. with
subtle cunning. "The duke will not give her
to you now. But he will exact from you. and
me alike, anroath net to molest-no, not to
see her for three months, and then she shall
choose as she will between u.s."
While he spoke this fair speech he had been
drawing nearer to Antonio; and Antonio not
yet convinced of ). his honesty, drew back a
pace. Then Robert let go hold of his horse,
unbuckied his sword and flung it on the
ground, and came back TO Antonio with out
stretched hands,
''Beholdr, said he. ''I am in your mercy,
my lord. Hyou do not believe me, slay me-
Antonio looked at him with searching
wistful eyes. He hated to war against the
duke, and his heart was aflame with the hope
that dwelt for him in Roberts words; for he
he did not doubt but that neither three
months nor three years nor three hundred
years could change his lady's love.
'sYou speak fair, sir said he, "but what
warrant have II"
''And, save your honor, what warrant have
/, who stand here unarmed before you?''
asked Robert
For while Antonio pondered Then he
said:
.sMy lord. I must crave your pardon for my
words; but the matter is so great that to your
word dare not trust; but if you will ride
back with your men and pray the duke to
send me a promise under his own hand, to
that l will trust. And. meanwhile, Tom
masino, with the Lady Lucia. shall abide in
safe place, and will stay here, awaiting
your return, and ii you will, let two of your
men stay with me"
"Many man. my lord,'' returned Robert.
would take your caution in bad part. But
let it be so. Come, we will ride after my
company" And he rose and caught Anto-
MOS horse by the bride and brought it to
him. mount, my lord" said he, stand
| ing by.
Antonio. believing either that the man was
true or that his treachery, if treachery there
were in him, was foiled. and seeing him TO
all seeming unarmed, save for a little dagger
in his belt, which would hardly suffice to kill
man, and was more thing of ornament