The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-10-13

and found to my annoyance that they were
discussing me, and the events of the day.
In order TO escape this was about to rise,
when heard one of them mention Den
trangues' name, and stopped to listen.
"He has left for Florence, and, it Is said,
intends to offer his sword to the Signory,"
said one.
"And the other?"
Heaven knows! Perhaps Braccio's arm
has reached him, poor devil"
"Wcll, he was good soldier and stout
lance"
"Basta!" said the first speaker. "What
does a little lightness of finger matter?
Play it in a small way, you're a thief, and
food for Messer Braccio, curse him! Play
it on big scale and you're prince. l for
one don't think the less of Di Savelli because
perhaps his hand at cards was always too
good, and he made that little error in the
matter of the rubics. A gentleman is some
times driven to hard straits. l was.a gen.
tleman once and ought to know. 1 give you
a toast-uere's to long sword and light
hand!"
They drank with reclamation, and then
Get to a-dlcing. I had, however, heard
enough, and settling my account with the
host, stepped forth into the street, intend
ing to depart from the town by the Porta
camp over my shoulder, and to make my way
to Florence as soon as possible. There I
would meet D'Entrangues, and kill him like
a mad dog. I ground my teeth with rage
when l thought had no horse, nor even
the means to purchase one, and must trudge
it like any contadino. But, if had to crawl
ON my hands and knees, was determined to
reach Florence and D'Entrangues.
It was, however, not yet shutdown, and my
idea was to leave the city when it was well
dusk to avoid all possible chance of recogni-
ton. meant to have passed the interval
in the inn; but, as felt this was impos-
sible, it was necessary to find another spot
where could lay in quiet. With this end
in view crossed the Piazza di Popolo in an
casterly direction, and went on until l
came to the Franciscan church, into which
entered, not, I am sorry to say, with any
desire for devotion, but merely because I
was less likely to be disturbed there than
anywhere else could imagine. was right,
in SO far that on entering the church found
it, as thought, empty, but on looking round
saw beneath the newly-completed wheel
window, the work of Guillaume de Mar
seille, a kneeling figure, apparently absorbed
in prayer. l had approached quite close be-
fore / became aware that / was not alone,
startled by the sound of my footballs on the
marble pavement, the person rose hurriedly
and looked towards me. 1t was Nine. D En-
trangues. Her glance met mine for q Sec
ond as that of stranger, but as / was NOV
ing away some trick of gesture, or perhaps
the hot anger in my eyes, told her who was,
for, calling my name, she came towards me
with outstretched hands.
"Di Savelli," she said, for made no aa-
vance, "do you not know me"
Madame" bowed, II am unfit to touch
you"
mo, no-a thousand times no! It is I
who am unworthy"
/ still remained silent, and she asked,
With passionate emphasis:
MAN, you have never sinned"
The words struck me like shot. felt
in a moment had no right to stand in
judgment.
God knows" 1 replied, IT have, and I
have been punished"
With that she took hold of my hand, and
then suddenly burst into tears, weeping
over me with words cannot repeat. 1t was
not for me to fling reproaches, and softened
and did what could to appease her.
81 could not help it," she said; II was not
strong enough to speak or to let you speak.
Oh, you do not know what such thing is to
u woman!"
'Let it pass, madame. What is dead is
dead"
81 cannot. And yet, what can do?" Her
tears began afresh.
In little time she grew better, and
seized the opportunity to point out the dan
ger she ran of being seen speaking to me,
and suggested that she should make her way
home. 1t was impossible to escort her my
sell, but would walk little way behind,
keep her in sight, and see she came to no
harm. l urged this all the more as I saw it
was growing late, and that she was without
any attendants and far from the camp.
"You mistake" she said; II have not far
to go. In fact, 1 am at present the guest
Of the convent here"
"And-" l did not finish the sentence,
but she understood. had forced myself to
ask, to hear, if possible, confirmation of
D'Entrangues' movements.
He" she answered-"he has left the
army and gone towards Florence"
And you"
81 stay here for the present"
Her tone more than her words convinced
me that she had been abandoned by Den
trangues, and it added another mark to my
score against him.
"Why should not tell you?" she con-
tinued. CATER, when it was all over, the
duke struck his name off the army, and he
left in an hour. Before he went, he came
and told me all, laughing at your ruin. l did
not know man could be so vile. God help me
it is my husband l speak of! He offered
to take me with him, but / refused; and he
left, knocking like devil, with words can
not repeat. He was not done with you or
with me, he said, as he went. 1 came here
at once. and perhaps when Nine de IA Ire.