The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-11-17

OF hunger knocking at me IN manner that
would take no denial. My courage was gone..
and urged by the fierce pangs of my hunger.
resolved to utilize the gift. and obtain some
food to give me strength to die. smile as
think of this now. Then it was no laughing
matter. plucked myself up sufficiently to
60 back to the pawnshop. Entering it,
placed the article, which l judged to be a
jewel. but which had not even examined,
before the man in attendance, and asked him
for an advance thereon.
"It is one of the gold tari of Amalfi." he
said, posing it on his finger, land of full
weight. Do you wish to sell it"
NO" I replied. 81 merely wish to pledge
it,
az will give you two crowns" he pushed
the money to me, and with it receipt. /
gathered these up, and staggered rather
then walked to the Marzocco inn, which lay
hard by. There were half-a-dozen people
supping there; but l had no eyes for them,
all l could think of was the pasty, the roll
of white bread, and the ruby Chianti, which
I ordered. 1t is common belief that those
who have not eaten food for any length of
time are unable to do SO when it is placed
before them at first. Whether am consti-
tutionally stronger than the generality of
men, do not know; all | can say is, that
formed an exception to the rule, if true
one, and demolished my supper, gaining
strength with every mouthful, and feeling
my chilled blood warmer with every drop
l drank of my goblet of wine. My courage
came back to ME and banished all thoughts
of the Arno. At last was done, and leaning
back in my seat viewed with complacency
the huge orifice had made in most excel
lent pasty, and the whites slowly slipped
my wine. That feeling of sleepy com
fort, which attends like a good angel
on full meal, possessed me, my sorrows
had for the moment taken themselves off,
and l grieve to say did not even bestow
thought on her to whose charity l was in
debted practically for my life. sat for the
moment, Tapped in a dreamy comfort, for
getful of all things. dozed for about half an
hour, and opened my eyes with my head
clear again, and my pulse beating firmly.
had, somewhat recklessly, it is true, enjoyed
a crowns worth of happiness, there was
another fat crown still in my pouch; with
care it would last some days, and during that
time luck might turn. With these thoughts
running in my head, let my eyes wander
over the room. 1t was now somewhat late,
and only the night-birds were left. Of these,
party of five was seated at table little
removed from me, and were cOnversing in
low tones. 1t needed but a glance to see
that they were not honest men, and from
the suspicious manner in which they looked
around them, gathered they were here for
no good purpose. One of the party rested
his eyes on me, and then whispered to COM !,
panion, who was seated with his face from
me. caught the answer, which was given
in somewhat loud tones. even if he does,
what does it matter? Cannot few gentle
men enjoy glass in peace at their ordinary?
If he gives trouble we can quiet him."
Could it be? Yes, it was no other than
the ancient Brico, who had. 1 perceived, got
out of the clutches of his friends, the catch
polls of Montevarchi. made certain, there
fore, l would have business shortly, and,
leaning back again, pretended to doze, keep
ing my ears very wide open, and holding
watch on the scoundrels from the tail of nv
eye.
''He tarries late" said one, perhaps your
information is wrong"
Il have it from sure hand, from the young
er Ceci. Buonoccorsi and he will both be
here. The former, however, as you know,
we do not want"
almost started at these words. Was it
possible that had stumbled on the braves
who were engaged in Ceci's plot? If SO,
stranger thing never happened to me, and
chance was probably throwing in my way
what otherwise would never have been
able to discover. Even as the last speaker
finished his sentence, two persons, evidently
OF consequence, and a woman entered the
inn, and set themselves down at a table
close to mine. The men both wore masks,
but the lady did not, and let her glance run
with free look on us all. One of her two
very stout man, put down his
mask, disclosing jolly, rubicund face, and
roared out for fagon of wine. The other,
still keeping his features covered, engaged
in lively badinage with his fair friend, and
as he moved his hand slightly caught the
fash of valuable ring.
The five at the table all had their heads
together now, and saw the one nearest to
me stealthily draw his sword. With an ap-
parently careless movement l so placed my
own weapon as to be at hand on the mo-
ment. Presently Brico arose, and, swagger-
ing across the room with glass in his hand,
deliberately stopped before the lady, and
drained it to her health. She laughed back
Blood of king! Madonna, but you waste
yourself with His Corpulence there" and
he jerked his hand towards the stout man.
who sat specifies, his cheeks purple with
rage. "Come and join us good fellows here"
he added, and attempted to pass his arm
around her waist; but the masked stranger
flashed out his rapier, and Brico only es.
capped being skewered by an agile retreat.
This was, however, the signal for an instant
assault, and with shout of:"A Medici-
palle-palle," those at the table rushed on
the smaller party. As they rose, jumped
up, and pushed my table with great violence
in their direction. Two of the men fell over
it, and this gave me time to draw my sword