The Washington times., 1895-02-03
E SUNDAY TME9 PACE OF GOOD SELECTED STORIES OF FICTION

the party, for the duke, presaging some fear
full thing, would suffer none but grown men
to mount with him. And thus they went for
ward afoot TIL they reached the grassy sum-
nit of the hill, and then the peasant sprang
in front. crying. There, theren' And all of
them beheld the body OF Duke Paul bound to
the tree by the embroidered scarf. his head
fallen on his breast, and the ivory tablet hang
ing from the ribbon OF the order OF st. Prisian.
And great silence fell on them all. and they
stood gazing at the dead prince.
But presently Duke Valentine went for
ward alone aud he knet on one knee and
bowed his head and kissed his brothers
right hand. And shout OF Indignation and
wrath went up from all the crowd and they
cried, "whose deed is this?" The duke
minded them not. but rose to his feet and
laid his hand on the ivory tablet, and he per-
ceived that it was written by Duke Paul, and
be read what Paul had written to Antonio,
how that he, the duke, being dead, Antonio
should come to his own again. and wed
Lucia, and hold foremost place in the duchy.
And, this read. the duke real also the sub
scrption of Count Antonio.
witness my hand Antonio di Monte
VelIuto''
Then he was very amazed. for he had
trusted his brother. Yet he did not refuse
the testimony of the ivory tablet, nor suspect
any guile or deceit in Antonio. his ln5tru-
ment. And he stood, dry eyed, looking on
the dead face of Duke Paul. And turning
round he cried in Il loud voice, so that every
man on the hill heard him, Behold the body
OF traitori' and men looked on him, and
from him to the faces OF one another. asking
what lie meant Bat he spoke no other word
and went straightway down the hill and
mounted his horse again aud rode back TO
the city, and having come to his palace he
sent for his little son d went W tn him into
tho cabinet behind the great hail. where the
two stayed alone together for many hours.
And when the child came forth he asked
none concerning his uncle, the Duke Paul.
Now all the company had followed down
from the hill after the duke, and no man
dared to touch the body unbidden. Two days
pass and great storm came. so that tho
| rain beat OF Paul's face and the lightning
| blacEened it. But on tho third day. when
the storm had ceased, the duke bade the
| lieutenant OF the guard TO 20 by night and
! bring the hody OF Paui and the lieutenant
! and his men flung a cloak over the face. and
/ having thus done, brought the body into the
! city az the break OF day; yet the great square
was full Of folk watching in awe and silence.
| And they took the body to the cathedral and
| buriei it under the wall on the north side in
| the shade of q cypress tree, laying pia.n,
| fiat stone over it.
1 And Duke Valentine gave great sums for
/ masses to be said for the repose OF his broth
| er's soul Yet there are few men who will 20
! py night to the Hill of Duke Paul. AMI even
nov when l write there is a man in the city
/ who has lost his senses and is an idct; he,
/ they say, went 10 the hill on the night OF the
! 18th of the month wherein Paul died and
| came back mumbling things terrible to hear.
! But whether he went because he lacked bis
( senses, or lost his senses ljy reason of the
! thing he saw when he went. / know not.
! Thus died Duke Paul, the traitor. Yet.
/ though The duke. his brother, knew that what
! was done upon him was moth ing else than he
! had deserved and should have suffered had
/ he been brought alive TO Justice, he was very
wroth with Count Antonio holding it in-
/ science that any man should lay hands on
I one of his blood. and of his own will, exc
! cute sentence upon criminal of degree so
! exalted.
! Therefore. he sent word 10 Antonio that ii
/ he caught him he would hang him on The hill
I from the branches of the treeto which Anto-
+ Mo had bound Paul, and would leave his
| body there for three times three days. And
! this message coming TO Antonio, he sent one
I privily by night to the gate OF the city, who
! laid outside the gate a letter for the duke
and in the letter was written, :God chooses
! the hand. All is we'll.
And Count Antonio abode still an OUTLAW
/ in the mountains and the Lady Lucia
mourned in the city. .
tTo BE CONTINUED.