Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-11-18
Continued.

DrOfeSSed my sell eullTely sdtlsheu
NTH these arrangements, and shook
t.rbs with my amiable coadjutor
-tau looked round at the rest of the
s.ssmbled company with a smile at
their troubled faces.
gentlemen" | said cur feast has
broken up in rather disagreeable
ranuer-and | am sorry for 1t, the
more specially as it compels me TO
mart from you Receive my thanks for
yngr company and for the friendship
,sn have displayed toward me! do
NOT believe that this is the last time
shall have the honor of entertaining
yau-but If il should be so, | shall at
any rate carry a pleasant remembrance
of YOU into the next world! If on the
contrary | should survive the combat
o.. the morning, hope to see you all
again on my marriage-day, when
nothing shall occur TO mar our merri-
mpnt. In the goodnight!
They closed round me, pressing my
hands warmly and assuring me of
their entire sympathy with me in the
quarrel that had occurred. The duke
was especially cordial, giving me to
understand that had the others failed
in their services, he himself, in spite
of his dignity and peace-loving dispo-
sition, would have volunteered as my
second escaped from them all at
last and reached the quiet Of my own
| a
more than an hour, waiting for the re-
turn of Vincenzo, whom | had sent to
track Ferrai. | heard the departing
footsteps of my guests as they left the
hotel by twOs and threes-I heard
the equable voices Of the marquis and
Captain Freccia ordering hot coffee TO
De served to them in a private room
where they were to await the other
secOnds-now and then | caught few
words of the excited language of the
waters who were volubly discussing
the affair as they cleared away the re-
mains of the superb feast at which,
though none knew it save myself,
death had been seated. Thirteen at
table, one was a traitor and one must
die ! knew which one. No PRESENT.
ment lurked in my mind as to the
doubtful result of the coming combat.
1t was not my lot to fall-my time had
not come yeti felt certain of that!
Ne, All the fateful forces of the
universe would help me to keep alive
rtN my vengeance was fulfilled. Oh,
what bitter shafts Of agony Ferarl
carried in his heart at that moment, l
thought How he had looked when |
said she never cared for aim. Poor
wretch, / pitied him even while | re-
ioicrd at Lis torture. He suffered now
MS had suffered-he was dUped as |
had been duped-and each culver OF
his cOnvulsed face and tormented
f.ame had been fraught with satisfac-
ton to NE. Each moment of his life
was now pang to him. Well! it would
soon be oyer-thus far at least | was
marciful I drew out pens and paper
aad commenced to write a few last
Instructions, in case the result of the
fight should be fatal TO me. ! made
.'am very concise and brief-l knew,
while writing, that they would not be
needed. Still for the sake of form
wrpte-and sealed the document di-
re"ted it to the Duke di Marina. /
looked at nay watch-it was past one
o'clock and Vincenzo had not yet re-
turned ! went TO the window, and
drawing back the curtains. surveyed
the eNquisiteiy peaceful scene that lay
before me The moon was still high
and bright-and her reflection made
the waters Of the bay look like war
Uors coat Of mail woven from a thou
sand glittering links Of polished steel.
Here and there, from the masts OF
anchored briggs and fishing boats,
s."med few red and green lights
Burning dimly like fallen and expiring
STARS. There was heavy, unnatural
silence everywhere-it oppressed me,
ana / threw the window wide open for
air. Then came the sound of bells
.A'ming softly. People passed to and
ITO with quiet footsteps-some paused
.o exchange friendly greetings l re-
"'mbered the day with a sort OF pang
~ my heart The night was over,
though as yet there was no sign OF
dawn and-it was Christman morn
ing.