The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-10-27
CHAPTER vi.
BERNABO CECI.

the candle In my room was all but spent,
| and the wick haring in a long flame. / looked
to see if my wound had broken out a-bleedine
afresh, and was glad to find this was not the
case, and that the bandages were in their
position. The small effort, however, nearly
round, the bright fame of the candle dwin.
died down to little star, no bigger than a
pin point, and then began slowly to in.
crease in size as the faintness passed off, and
l was able to see clearly again. Any attempt
to move gave me agony, and, closing my eyes,
l lay still. heard the candle expire with a
splutter, and leave me in darkness. Then
began to get light-headed, and unable to con-
troll my thoughts. Somehow my mind trav-
eled back to the days of my childhood, and
the figure of the only living relative can re-
member, my father, came before me, standing
just as he was wont to stand, when about to
| give me lesson in the exercise of the sword,
and repeating a warning he never ceased to
din in my ears. Learning" he said, "is of
little use to a gentleman. You need not
know more of books than Savelli should,
but in craftsmanship and in the use of the
sword" he finished with gesture more
expressive than words. And truly old Err
| cole di Saveli was never bookworm,
| though he ended stormy life in his bed.
He was the son of that Baptista di Savelli,
who was ruined with the Prefetti di Vico
and other noble houses during the time of
Eugene w. Such estates as Baptista had
were transferred with the person of his Sis
ter Olympia, who married into the Chigi,
to that family, and with them the custodian
ship of the Conclaves. Baptista di Savell
left his son nothing but few acres. The
latter tried to WOO Fortune in the Spanish
war, but did not obtain her favors. He re.
turned to Italy, and, poor as Job though he
was, hesitated not to marry for love, and
engage in lawsuit with Amilcar Chigl
What between the one and the other, creole
was ruined in a hand turn. His wife died in
giving birth to me, and, disguised with the
world, he retired to small estate near Cola
in the Bergamasque. There he devoted him
self to pastoral life, and to bringing me up
as soldier, until, one fine day, having con-
tracted fever, he received dissolution and
died like a gentleman and Christian.
I followed the profession for which I was
intended, joining the levy OF the duke of
Urbino, and sharing in all the ups and
downs of the times, until Fortune did me
good turn at Fornovo. Subsequently things
went we'll with me, and, although had to
mortgage my narrow lands, to raise and pro.
vide the equipment for the men, with whom
I joined Iremouille, 1 was in expectation of
a full reward, when was so suddenly strick-
EN- down.
Thinking of these things in the dark, tor
mented by devouring thirst, which I was
unable to quench, haunted by the impression
that my last hour was come, and that I
should die here like dog, without even the
last rites of the church, I fell into a frenzy,
and began to shout aloud, and rave as in a
delirium. DEntrangues came before me,
wearing a smile of triumph, and Istrove i'm
potently to reach. Then the whole room
seemed to be full Of my enemy, from every
corner 1 could see the white face, the red
hair, and the smile of successful malice. The
figures, each one exactly like the other, float
ed over me, stood by my side, sometimes
brought their faces within an inch of mine,
until l imagined felt hame-like breath
beating on me. Finally they fitted back
wards and forwards, rapidly and more rap
idly, until there was nothing but mass of
moving shadow around me, which gradually
resolved itself again into single form. I
strove to reach for my sword to strike at it,
but my arms were paralyzed. So through
the livelong night the phantom stood at the
foot of my bed, until the white morning
came in at my window, and / fell into q
sleep.
When I awoke found the old intendant
of the building bending over me. The fever
had abated, but the thirst still remained.
water" gasped through my parched
lips, and he gave me to drink.
To cut long story short, / arranged with
this man for such attendance as / should
want, and to do him justice Ceci-for that
was his name performed his part of the
contract, getting me food, attending to the
dressing of my wound, to which he applied
a most soothing salve, and such other offices
helpless person must expect. He did not
trouble me much with his presence during
the earlier part of my illness, but came az
occasion required. him, and, when he had
performed his work, left me to my reflec-
tions.
I may note here that never again saw
the people who helped me when I was
wounded. Having assisted me to my lodg-
ing, and aided me to dress my hurt, as
have said, they departed, and apparently
gave me no further thought. This am per-
suaded was not due to unkindly feeling, but
to prudence, and wish to avoid being
mixed up in an affair such as mine appeared
to be; for the times were such that it was
better for a mans head to be unknown to
the Magnifici Signori of Florence.
Subsequently, when things changed with
me, caused public cry to be made, re-
questing the worthy citizens to come for
ward; but my attempt was of no avail, be-
yond producing q haf-dozen or so of rascal
impostors, who swore to helping me, under
circumstances that never occurred, on the
chance of hitting nail on the head, and OBJ
tanning reward. But this was long after
my illness, and the block in the Bargello
may have. since that time, been resting
place for the heads of the good Samaritans
60. all 7 kro -,