The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-02-18
Q depart. But Tn the instant as he moved


tered the wizard. My power is gone to-
night"
The knocking at the door came again,
loud and impatient.
'"They will beat the door down If you
do not OPEN" said Antonio. II will hide
myself here behind the mirror for l cannot
pass them without being seen, and if | am
seen here it is likely enough that the mir
ror will be proved right both for you and
me-"
So Antonio lid himself, crouching down
behind the mirror. and the wizard, having
lit Il small, dim lamp, went on trembling
feet 20 the door. And presently he came
back, followed by two men, whose faces
were hid in their cloaks. And one Of them
sat down, but the other stood and flung
his cloak back over his shoulders, and
Antonio, observing him from behind the
mirror. saw that he was Lorenzo, the dukes
favOrite.
And Lorenzo spoke to the wizard, gay
irs:
Why did you not come sOoner?"
There was one here with me-" said the
wizard, whose air had be1s~le again COM
posed.
And he is gomez For we would be
alone"
''He is not to be seen" answered the
wizard, utterly alone here YOU cannot be "
And when he heard this. Lorenzo turned
pale, for he did not like this midnight err
rand to tho wizards chamber.
"But no man Is here" said the wizard.
4 low. hoalse laugh came from the man
who sat.
Tricks Of the trade. tricks OF the trade"
said he. and Antonio started to hear his
voice BE sure that whore a prince, q
coartier and cheat are together the devil
makes a fourth. Eut there is no need to
tura pale over it Lorenzo"
And when the wizard heard. he fell on
his knees for ne knew that it was Duke
Valentine who spoke
Look, you. fellow" pursued his high
ness, you owe me much thanks that you
are not hanged already; for by putting an
end 10 you l should please my clergy much
and the syndic Of Baratesta not 3 little
And II You do not obey me tonight. you
shall be dead before morning"
Il shall not die unless it be written IN
the stars" sl.d the wizard, but his voice
tremhlnl.
II know nothing Of the stars" said the
duke. but / know the mind OF the duke
OF FornIola. and that is enough Tor my pUr-
pose And he rose and began 10 walk
about tie chamber examining the strange
objects that were there; ana thus he came
in front Of the mirror and stood within
half a yard Of Antonio. But Lorenzo stood
where hc was and once crossed himself
secretly ana unobservel.
"Wnat would my lord, the duke?" asked
The wizard.
There is a certain drug" said the duke
turning round toward the wizard, which
II man drinE-or woman. Lorenzo-he
can walk on his legs and use his arms and
seem to be waking and in his richt mind
yet rs his mind a nothing. for he knows
not what he does, but does everything that
one being with him may command, and
when hidden he VIII seem to lose ali power
without seeming reluctance. and again.
90 ven MT nd Ia af.t- b is
the thin~ once when l sojourneI with he
lord If Florence; for a wizard there, having
given the drug TO a certain man, put him
through strange tricks. and he performed
them all willingly"
AVE, there is such a drug" said the
wizard
"Then give it to me-" said the duke. "and
/ give YOU your life and fifty pieces of
gold. Tor l have great need OF IT,"
Now, when Antonio heard the dukes
words ha was seized with great fear, for
he surmisCl that il Was against Lucia that
the duke meant 10 use this drus, ana noise
lessly he loosenei his sword in his sheath
and bent forward again TO listen.
And though my purpose is nothing 10
you. yet it Is q benevolent purpose. Is it
not, Lorenzo"
eft is your viii, not mine, my lord" said
Lorenzo. in troubled voice
Mine shall be tie crime, then, and
! viii give her tie drug and she SHAH wed
you"
Then Antonio doubted 10 longer or what
was ataat, nor that plot was laid where
by Lucia should he entrapued into mar
Iiage with Lorenzo, since she could not
ba openly lorc.d. Ana anger burned hoJv
iu him. Ana ne sWore that, sooner than
suffer the thing 10 DE done he Woald kIll
tae duke there with his own hand, or HIM
self be- slain.
and you alone know Of this drug now
they say" the duke went on, "for the
wizard of Florence is dead. Therefore.
give it to me quickly"
But the wizard answered:
cit will not serve, my lord, that 1 give
Won the drug. With my own hand l must
give it to the person whom you would
thus affect, and l must tell them what
they should do"
More tricks" said the duke, scornfulIy.
Il know your ways. Give me the drug,"
ana he would not believe what the wizard
said.
1T is even as I say" said the wizard,
"and if your higbness viii carry the drug
yourself l viii not vouch for its opera
ton
Give it me, for I know the appearance
OF it, said the duke.
Then the wizard having again protested
went to certain shelf and from some
hidden recess took a small vial and came
with Il 10 the duke, saying:
"EIaIno me not If its operation fails"
The duke examined the vial closely and
also sulclt its smell.
III is the same" said he; at will do It's
work"
Then Count Antonio, who believed no
more than the duke what the wizard had
said, was very sOrely put to ii to stay
quietly where he was; for if the duke rode
away now with the vial ne might well find
means 10 give it to the Lady Lucia before
any warning could be conveyed to her
And. although the danger was great, yet
his love for Lucia, and his fear for her
overcaue his prudence, and suddenly he
Ieapt forth from behind the mirror, draw
inc his sword and crying:
"Ciye me that drug. my lord, or yON~ life
must answer for it,
But fortune served him III. for, as the
duke and Lorenzo shrslnk back at his sud
den appearance and he was about to spring
en- them, behold, his foot caught in the
fold, OF the black cloth that had been over
tha mirror and now lay on the ground, and,
falling forward. he struck his head on the
,,qthle rim that ran around the charcoal
stove, and, having fallen with great force,
Law there like u man dead. And, with loud
cries OF triumph. the duke and Lorenzo,
having drawn their swords, ran upon him,
ond Tho duSe planted his foot upon his