Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-04-26
not appea: to relish, for he ruf1ed his plume,
and let forth an ear-percinG Shrek.

not appeal: to relish, for he ruf1ed his plume,
and let forth an ear-piercing shrek
"Heavens!' she laughed. "how that bird
screams! He is almost as cross as you, An
giola." e~ ..
'Thanks," replied the other; II do sympa-
thize with the bird, though, for you never
leave off teasing. 1t is enough to make a
saint cross, Marietta" = r. A..
"Well, ] won't tease any more" and Mari
eta put her hand on her friends shoulder.
81 am sure, though, it was he, and l will
have the last word.' -
wondered to whom the reference was
made, as Angola replied: "Ireally do not
care if it was; but there is draught, and
must shut this door,"
She came up so quickly that there was no
time to retreat, and in moment was dis
covered.
She gave little cry and stepped back .
"Who are you, sir? How dare you-!"
I saw that the other was going to scream
out, and burst forth: MADAM, implore
you to be still. There is absolutely no dan
ger. have had business with his excel
lency and missed my way. Pardon the in
trusion," and I stood with my cap in my
hand. 80
"Weil, cir" said the Lady Angola, "as
you have found out that you have missed
your way, had you not better turn back?"
"Why, Angola, it is the gentleman who
rescued US in the gardens!" called ont Ma
donna Marietta, with sudden recognition
"Who looks as if he were here now to
make up for it by cutting our threats. Ac-
cording to you he should have been dying Of
starvation at Santa Felicita." :.
HNfoIop, I or! uyish 7 had 1io1 nc
starvation rather than heard this. l will,
however, restore what l have received. If
you can only show me the way out OF this
house shall be grateful, and again seek
pardon for disturbing you"
II suppose you are speaking the truth.
Come, give me that candle, Marietta"
refusing my proffer to bear it, and, with a
and led ME along the interminable galleries
until recognized the corridor from which
entered. l was again about to thank her,
but she simply pointed to the door.
"Your way lies there, sir"
opened the door and stepped on to the
stairway without another word. In shut
ting the door behind me glanced once
more in her direction. She was already on
her way back, the single candle throwing
it's soft light on her. loose robes and graceful
figure.
made my way down the stairs, at the end
realizing the sensation of suddenly finding
my foot meet the ground after the last step.
l thought there was yet another and was
brought up with nasty jerk. Stepping out
softly into the street, and holding my drawn
sword in my hand, / hurried towards my
abode. When I had gone about so PAGES !
heard the sound of door opening and shut
ting behind me, but thinking it was the wind
playing with the door had left unlocked,
having no key, ! took no notice, and went
on; but soon became aware was being fol-
lowed. stopped, therefore, and deliberate
ly faced round. The footsteps behind me in
stantly ceased, and could make out through
the moonlight the shadowy figure OF man,
STOPPING as if to search for something. This
was, OF course, nothing but a pretense, and
/ had half mind to go back and question
him. Rejecting, however, that it would be
wiser to avoid any further adventures for
the night, and that after all it was but one
man, l went on, and my pursuer did like
wise, but at a greater distance than before,
until finally he apparently gave the matter
up, seeing was on my guard. Crossing the
square Of Santa Felicia, however, l saw
some one running swiftly a, little ahead of
rue, and then disappear behind the shelter
OF the small casino of the Medici which
stood there. felt sure it was my shadower.
He had passed me by some short cut, and
was now probably intending to bring mat
tcrs to head. Keeping we'll in the middle
of the road I went on, and to my surprise
saw nothing, but in short time again be-
came conscious that l was lodged, and,
dropping into an artifce, quickened my pace
to a run. The sound of rapid footsteps be-
hind me showed that my curious friend was
doing likewise, and, not to deprive him of
the exercise, 1 kept up the pace, until we
reached the street di PUGET and were close to
my lodging. Here I faced about and ran
back full speed at my pursuer, feeling sure
that the burst had given him would try
all his speed to get away. He so little calcu-
lated on my change of front that he ran on
about 20 yards before realizing what was the
matter. Then he turned round and was
about to make off, when reached him, and,
driving him against the wall, held him there,
with the point of my sword at his breast
Imagine my surprise on seeing before me
the young man with whom Ceci had gone
away on our return from the funeral of
Corte's daughter. He was doubtless also the
SPY of the evening, and now, with a face
white with either terror or anger, crouched
against the wall, holding dagger in his
hand; but any attempt to use it would have
been useless.
"Well," I said, "have you had enough of
this? and emphasized the question with
sharp prick.
"Mercy!" he called out, thinking his last
hour come, and scrabbled on to the pave
ment.
'Be off with you, then!' said, and assist
ed his departure with hearty kick as he
rose. He needed no second bidding, but
made off at good pace.
When his figure mingled up with the haze,
and was lost to view, I proceeded on my way,
wondering a little at the incident. could
not help connecting it with the affair in the
secretary's room-the man had chased up
the endless galleries of his house, and the
attempt at murder in the Marzocco Inn
Why was followed? could not make this
out; but, thankful that had escaped with
a whole skin, climbed up the winding stair.
way of the tower which led to my chamber.
Carefully shutting the door, lit my candle
and emptied out the contents of the bag
had received from Machiavelli on to my bed,
SO that the coins might make no sound.