The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-03-24
. Author OF " a Prisoner of zendn.o
Copyright, 1895. by Anthony Hope
CHAPTER VIII.

that only which is surely based in
truth and attested by credible wit
ness. and have left on one side the
more marvellous tales such as the ere
k1ulity of ignorance and the fond Ii
cense Of legend are wont to weave.
But as to the manner Of his return
there IS no room for uncertainty, for
The whole account of it was recorded
in the archives of the city by order Of
Duke Valentine the Good, son and sue
cessor of that duke who outiawed An
tonic, to which archives I, Ambrose.
have had full access, and have now
full permission to make known SO
unuch of them as may serve for the
full understanding of the matter, and
this same task is one to which I set
any pen willingly, conceiving that the
story is worthy Of being known to ev-
cry man in the duchy; for, while many
may censure the things that Antonio
did in the days Of his sojourn in the
hills, there can, / think, he none that
will not look with approval on his
bearing in this last hap of fortune. In
deed he was IL gallant gentleman, and
az for that I forgive him his sins too
readily, in like manner may our good
u
Forgiven me.
Five years had the count lived in the
hills; five years had the Lady Lucia
incurred in the city; five years had
Duke Valentine laid plans and
schemes. Then it fell out that a sick
ness came upon the city and the coun-
try round it; many died and more were
sore stricken, and by the mercy of God
narrowly escaped Among those that
suffered was the duke himself, and at
the same time certain gentleman, by
name Count Philip of Garda, a, friend
of AntOnio's, and yet an obedient ser
want to the duke. Now, when Antonio
heard that Philip lay sick, he sent to
him fair gift of choice meats and
fruits by the hand of Tommassino.
And Tommasino came with six of the
band and delivered the gift, and might
have rode back in all safety, as did the
six who came with him. But Phillip
had fair daughter, and Tommasino.
caught by her charms, made bold TO
finger at Philips house, trusting that
his presence there would not be known
to the duke, and Venturing his own
meek for the smiles of red lips and the
glanceS Of bright eyes, as young men
have done since this old world began.
But one of the dukes spies, of whom
he maintained many, brought word to
him of TommaSino'S raShneSs, and as
in the evening. singing a love song
and hugging III his bosom a glove that
the lady had suffered him to carry off,
he came suddenly into an ambush of
the dukes guard, was pulled violently
from his horse, and before he could so
much as draw his sword, behold. his
arms were seized and the Lord Loren
70 stood before him, with DOTTED cap
and knocking smile.
But when word came to Antonio that
TommaSino was taken, he withdrew
himself from the rest of the band, who
were 1an1enting the untoward circum-
stance, and walked by himself to and
fro for a long while. And he gazed
once on the picture Of the Lady Lucia,
which was always round his neck.
Then ne sat down and wrote a letter
to the duke, saying: ''My 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 may not endure Tommasino's
death. Therefore, let Tommasino go.
ard grant full pardon and oblivion to
him and to all who are here with me.
and swear to do this with a binding
oath, and then I will come and deliver
myself to you. and suffer such doom
as seems good TO your highness. May
sickness ard keep you in all things.
Antonio of Monte Velluto." And this
letter he sent to the Duke Valentine,
who, having received it, pondered long.
but at last said to Lorenzo:
Il do not love to let Tommasino go,
nor to pardon these lawless knaves,
Vet for five years l have pursued An
tonic and have not taken him. And T
am weary, and the country is racked
and troubled by our strife"
with Antonio dead all yuld be
quiet, my lord said Lorenzo.
Then the dukes eyes flashed and he
said:
strengthen the gibbet, for Antonio is
a large man, and he shall surely hang
on it,"
But Lorenzo was grieved, for he es-
teemed Antonio, yet ne obeyed the
dukes commands, and took from the
duke letter for Antonio, wherein he
swore to all that Antonio asked. and
bade him come alone, or with one COM
panion only, into the city on the day
that had been before appointed for the
hanging of TommasinO And further.
thu Lord Lorenzo gathered together all
the pikemen and every man that
Sc sed the duke and placed them ali
as guard, and proclaimed that any
man besides found carrying arms in
enemy, for he feared that the towns
men, who loved Antonio. would al
tempt something on his behalf. But
when the toWnsmen saw the great
force that Lorenzo had gathered, they
dared attempt nothing, although they
were sore grieved and lamented bitter
~. And the Lady Lucia, looking from
the window of her house, behelo those
VINO were erecting the gibbet, and wept
for her lover. AS fer TommaSino, when
he heard that he was not to be hanged,
but to be set free and Antonio suffer
death in his place, he was like a mad
man, and his rage and grief could not
be restrained, for he declared that he
would not live if Antonio died, and did
not cease TO reproach himself bitterly
Therefore the Lord Lorenzo held him
confined in his own house, lest he
should do himself some harm or en-
deavor 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 COM
1aanions and did not dare to tell them
Of what he had done, lest their obedi-
ence should fall under strain so
great, and they should by force pre-
vent his going TO the city. Therefore,
ne told them TO rest quiet in their
camp. while he, with Bena, went about
certain necessary business, and he
babe them farewell, enjoining them
duke.
FFor." said he, although I may not
Cell YOU fully what the business is
-, ,r-bioh % vet have good hone