Willmar tribune., 1899-07-26

ass -. IL ". N.XAAS.M. V.A..,sa. NG,vS
Copyright. 1905, BY D. Appleton b Co ;.
All rights reserved.l /
0 CHATTER XXIV.-CoNriNUED.
borrowed an arquebus from one Of my
men, and the arrangement was that we were
TO charge out after volley, the first shot of
which ] was to fire. All being now ready, it
s was only necessary for us to wait. would
merely add that in order to prevent dis
covery by the neighing Of the horses, we had
muzzled ours as far as possible. There was
now dead silence, that was only broken by
the rustic Of the leaves overhead, an occa-
! sonal crack amongst the dry boughs as a
squirrel moved against them, or the uneasy
movement of a horse, which caused clink
of chain-bit; and straining sound made
by the feathers of the saddlery, that was not
in reality loud as it seemed; but caused
Jacopo and Bande Mere to scowl tiercely at
the unfortunate rider, scowl which was
only eQualcd by their stolidly impassive
faces, when their own beasts snned. We
had not long to wait; presently we heard
voices shouting, the clatter of horses trot-
ting, rapid refining in at the ascent, and a
number Of followers and lackeys, some
mounted on horses, others on mules, with
led mules beside them, came past, and went
on, needless cf the eager faces watching
them through the trees. One or two of our
horses became so uneasy that was afraid
Of immediate discovery, but so occupied we're
the knaves in babbling together, all at once,
that what with this, and the thwacking of
their animals, and in some cases the efforts
to remain on, we remained unnoticed. Then
there was a short interval, and the suspense
was strained to breaking point. In a while
we heard the firm beat of war horse hoof,
and our quarry came in view. First came
Mensignore Bozardo. a tall, thin man,
wrapped in q purple cloak, with a fur cap
on his head. He rode a strong ambling
mule, and by his side was the commander of
the escort. Immediately behind were four
troopers, then the mules with the ducats,
behind these again six other lances, whilst
the rear was brought up by haf-a-dozen
1ackeFs, withouta a sword amongst them. But
what struck me me,,almost7 dumb with surprise
was that the leader of the escort was none
other than D'Entrangues himself There
could be no mistake, his visor was up, and I
saw the sallow face, the long red mustache,
and almost caught the cold CLINT of his cruel
eye. At last! l raised my arquebus and
covered him. At last! But touch of my
finger and the man was dead. I could not
miss, my heart was mad within me, but my
wrist was firm as steel. In another moment
he would be dead, dead, and my revenge &C.
complished. 1t was already in my hand. I
looked aside for a second at the line of
breathless faces watching me, then back
again to the muzzle of my weapon. DEN
trangues was now not 20 yards away. l
could scarcely breathe as l pointed the ar
quebus at his heart. had already begun
to press the trigger, when something seemed
to come across my mind like lightning. I
saw IN moment that lonely room in the Al
bizzi palace, where had kneeled to my God
end sworn to put aside my vengence. The
weapon shook in my grasp.
Fire, signore," whispered Jacopo hoarsely
With an effort jerked the muzzle in the
air, and pulled the trigger. The report was
followed by four others, and two Of the
troopers fell. The next moment we were on
them with shout, and there was clash of
steel, as fierce blows were struck and re-
,ceiyed, now and again short angry oath,
andssometimes cry of pain. did not want
to take lite, but a trooper came at me, so
kad7to run him throughthe heart, and the
man fell forward under Castor's hoofs. with
a yell shall never forget. The next instant
DEntrangues and crossed blades, and
whether he recognized me or not I do not
know, but he fought with skill and fierce
ness l have never seen equaled. AT last I
lost my temper, and cut savagely at him. He
parricd on the forte of his blade, but so
furious was the stroke that it broke the
weapon in his hand, and almost unhorsed
him. Refining back skillfully he avoided an
other cut I made at him, and drawing
wheel lock pistol from his holster, fired it
straight at me. At the flash, some one
dashed between us. heard a scream which
frozc the blood in me, and body lurched
forward and fell to my side, whilst rider
less horse plunged through the press, and
galloped away. saw the light of the golden
head sas it fell, and forgetting everything,
forgetting D'Entrangues, forgetting all but
the fact that dreadful deed was done, I
sprang down from Castor, and raised St.
Arma1lde in my arms. AS did this hoarse
yell from my men told me the day was won;
but + had no cars for this, no eyes for any
thing, except the slight figure, which lay in
my arms gasping out its life. -
i Congratulations, signore, we have taken
the lot, and Jacopo, bleeding and dusty,
rode, up beside me.
+, At too great a price," I groaned; "help
me to carry could say no more.
s Here, two of you secure those mules
Bande Mere, see to the wounded-Queen of
Heayen-thes chevaher-" and Jacopo, Civ
ing his sharp orders, sprahg down beside me,
and together we bore our unconscious bur-
den under the shadow Of the oaks. A dark
figure stepped to- our side, and kneeling
down supported the lifeless head on his arm,
whilst hot tears fell from his eyes, as he
prayed over her. It was the abbe.
]. Il. q How did this happen?" I asked. "did I
not say You were not to move%
u. 1T was done at once" he answered, IT
could not prevent it-alas! How can / carry
this tale hack to St.Armande? ?" ~. - +
water, excellency." -
Jacopo had brought some clear water in
his helmet. thanked him with a look, and
he stepped back, leaving us three together,
two. who were living, and one who was going
away. :st-.s.EE, I1S = = *5$S.s
!, bathed the forehead and drawn lips,
from which flowed thin stream of blood,
and as did. SO her eyes opened, but the film
of death was on them. 5.S5 e
sDi Savelli z and she was gone. 4
I Gone like fash, flung swiftly and fast
into eternity, struck down, perhaps unwit-
tingly, by the arm which should have been
4 shield to her. IShave often wondered if
D'Entrangues ever knew who fell to his
Spistol;shot. he did, God pity him! In the
onesglimpse caugh ,of his white face, as he
swung round and rode Of, II thought saw
y 4 look of horror. But everything went 80
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