The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-11-03

accordingly did 90, and found myself in
the presence of short, thick-set man, seat
cd at table, on which was spread map,
over which he was looking intently. In a
corner of the room lay his helmet and sword,
and he himself was in half-mail, wearing
Milanese corselet, on which was emblazoned
the red dragon of his house. As his head
was bent over the paper, l could not at first
make out his features, and remained stand
ing patiently. Suddenly he lifted his face,
and looked at me with a quick 'Weli-your
business, sir"
/ was accustomed to strange sights, but
for the moment-was startled, SO horribly dis
figured was the man. The sight of one eye
was completely gone, and half his face
looked as if a red-hot gridiron had been
pressed against it. The other eye was intact,
and twinkled ferociously under its bushy
gray eyebrow. recovered myself quickly,
and made my request in as few words as pos
sible. He became enraged as ] finished.
"Bah!" he said, 81 thought your business
was of Importance. lean do nothing for
you, my list is full. You have gained admis-
sion to me under pretense-go!" and he
resumed his study of the map. l would
have urged the matter, but all my pride was
aroused at his words, and 80, with short
good day, TUNED on my heel and walked
out. Passing through the gallery, saw De
Rrienne, leaning against an open window,
talking to another young officer. They both
looked at me, and burst into a loud laugh.
At any other time might have treated this
with contempt, but 1 was sore all over at my
reception, and approaching the two said:
"You seem amused, gentlemen-it is not
well to laugh at distress"
They stopped their laughter, staring
haughtily at me, and De Brienne said:
"Your way, signore, lies before you," and
he pointed down the corridor.
Perhaps the Slgnor de Brienne would
care to accompany me-unless," and looked
him steadily in the face.
UNLESS what?' De Brienne flushed an
grily.
At this moment we heard hasty foot
step on the marble floor, and La Palisse ad-
vanced. "Still here" he said to me; "did I
not tell you to begone?"
'My business is with the Signor de Bri-
enne,' I replied, stiffly, for my blood was
hot within me.
81 am quite prepared" began De Brienne,
but the free-captain interposed.
mot in the least. / cannot allow my Off
GERS to go fighting with every croque-mort
who comes here with a long sword and a ly-
ing story. Look at him, De Brienne-every
inch bravo! Harkee, Donati! Begone at
once. Not another word, or by God, / will
have you hanged from the nearest window!"
1t did not require me to carry my percep-
ton in my right hand, to be aware that La
Palisse was capable of fulfilling his threat,
and although / was inclined to draw on him
there and then, l knew what the ultimate re-
suits would be. So swallowing my pride as
best could. and regretting the il-humor
IL IL IL
sta]<ed into the street.
l made my way to my ordinary, and sat
there to cool, which took some time. / was
able to see that the rebuff I received was due
in great part to my own mismanagement;
also that there was no hope for me from La
Palisse, and that my steps must turn else
where if l wished my purse to show full
fed appearance. I dined sparingly, drinking
but half measure of Chianti, which mixed
with water, and it made but q thin fluid.
When l finished my slender repast, there
was nothing left but to kill time. 1t was
Useless to 60 back to my lodgings, for want
of funds had compelled me to discontinue,
until better times, my newly acquired habit
of reading, and Ceci, despite the kindness
he had shown me, was precise in the exac-
ton of payment for Offices performed By
him. No more indeed could be expected
from huckstering mind such as his, inner
tied no doubt from a line of bargaining citi.
zens, whose hearts were in their bales OF
wool. So stroiled towards the garden of
st. Michael, passing on the way the piazzi,
where there were still numbers assembled.
and wondering at the implacable hatred of
the Florentines towards their noblest blood.
o hatred they carried 80 far as to build the
walls of the Palace of the Signory obliquely.
rather than they should touch the spot
where the Uberti once dwelt. And this set
me rejecting on the unreasoning stupidity
Of the canaille, in their enmity towards gen.
tie blood. Perhaps was little influenced
in these thoughts, from the fact that the
Uberti were connected by marriage with
the Savelli, daughter of Maso degli Uberti
having welded that Baptista di Savelli who
upheld by force of arms his right to attend
the Conclave of Cardinals. 1t was sad to
think that of the Uberti not one was left,
and of the Savelli-I alone. / will not in
Guide the Chigi, for they come through the
female line, and although Amiicar Chigi, the
son of my fathers old enemy; subsequently
made advances of friendship towards me,
felt bound to explain to him that was
the head of the house, despite the broad
lands his father got with his mother Olym-
ria, by an unjust decree of the Chamber of
Lies. This, however, is a family affair,
which does not concern the narration in
hand. Having reached the garden, sat my
self to rest on a stone seat, set against wall
oveThung by large tree. At the further
end of the walk were two ladies in earnest
conversation. Their backs were to me at
first, but on arriving at the end of the walk.
fhpv furned slowly round md foV rdc