The Washington times., 1895-02-24

a gibbet seemed to hover above him. And he
snrank back for an instant.
What more you see is not by my will"
said the wizard.
"What shall come is only by Gods WILL"
said Antonio. 81 have seen her face. 1t is
enough"
But the wizard clutched him by the arm,
whispering in terror:
''lI is gibbet, and the rope is about your
neck"
Indeed I seem to have worn it there these
three years, and il is not drawn tight yet, nor
is ii drawn in the mirror"
You have good courage said the wizard
with grim smile; 81 will show you more"
and he flung another powder on the charcoal,
and the shapes passed from the mirror. But
another came, and the wizard, with a great
cry, fell suddenly on his knees. exclaiming:
They mock me. they mock me- They said
what they will, not what will. All, my lord,
whose is the face in the mirror?' aud he
seized Antonio again by the arm.
'It is your face said Antonio, and 1t is
the face of a dead man, for his jaw has
dropped and his features are drawn and
wrung.''
And the wizard buried his fare in his hands,
aud so they rested awhile till the glass of the
mirror cleared. and Antonio felt the boiy of
! the wizard shaking -ainst his knee.
"You are old" said Antonio, land death
must come 20 all. MayOe it is a lie of the
| devil, but il not. face ii as man should.'
But the wizard trembled STILL and Antonio,
casting a pififul glance at him, rose to de-
! part. But on the instant. as he moved, there
/ came a sudden loud knocking at the door of
/ house. and he stood still. And the wizard
/ lifted his head to listen.
Have you had warning of more visitors
! to-nigbt?' asked Antonio.
II know not what happens tonight" ;" NUT
tered the wizard. My power is gone to-
night"
The knocking at the door came again loud
and impatient.
They will beat the door door down If you
/ do not open" said Antonio. 81 will hide N.Y.
self here behind the mirror, for cannot pass
! them without being seen. and if I am cen
! here it is like enough that the mirror will be
proved right both for you anu me-"
So Antonio himself, crouchIng down be-
/ hind the mirror. and the wi ard, having lii a
small dim lamp. went on trembling feet to the
door. And presently he came back, followed
! bY two men whose faces were bid in their
coRks. And one of them sat down but the
other stood and flung his cloak back over his
shoulders, and Anion:o. Observing him from
behind the mirror, saw that he was Lorenzo,
the dukes lavorite.
And Lorenzo spoke TO the wizard, saying:
"Why did you not come sooner?"
"There WAS que here with me- said the
posed.
And he is gone? For we would be alone"
''He is not 10 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 errand to the
wizards chamber.
but no man is here" said the wizard.
A low. hoarse 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 where a prince a
courtier. and cheat are together the devil
makes fourth. But there is no need to
turn pale over il Lorenzo"
And when the wizard heard he fell on his
knees, for he knew that ii was Duke Vaen-
tine who spoke.
Look you, fellow" pursued his highness.
''you owe me much thanks that you are not
hanged alrea iy, Tor by putting an end to you
/ should ease my clergy much and the syn
die of Baratesta not little And if you do
not obey me tonight you shall be dead before
morning.
Il shall not die unless II be written In the
stars, p" said the wizard, but his vo ce trembled
Il know nothing of the stars" said the
duke. "hut l know the mind OF the Duke of
Forniola, and that is enough for my purpose
And ne rose and began to walk about the
chamber, examining the strange objects that
were AucLC, anu mus uo came IN front OF the
mirror and stood within half a ward of An
tonic. But Lorenzo stood where he was and
once crossed himself secretly and unobseryed.
What would my lord, the duke?" asked
| the wizard.
There is certain drug" said the duke.
turning round toward the wizard, (which, if
a man drink-or woman, Lorenzo-he can
walk on his legs and use his arms and seem
/ TO be waxing and in his right mind, yet is his
mind nothing, for he knows rot what he
does. but does everything that one being with
him may command. and without seeming re-
lnctance, and again. when bidden he will
seem TO lose all power OF movement and to
lack MS senses. / saw the thing once whea
/ so ourned with the Lord OF Florence; for
wizard there, having given the drug to GER
tain man. pur him through strange tricks,
and be performed them all willingly"
AYE. there is such a drug" said the wiz
ard.
Then give it to me-" said the duke, "and