The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-12-27

II am sorry" began, but he interrupted
Dead, ] say. Life went from u in writh.
ings and twistings, in screams 81 agony
the little beast, poor little beast! would
nave ended is misery, but wanted TO sec.
! wanted to find some death so horrible that
it would pass the invention Of man. And
! have found It, signorc. See this toy Of
a knife! This fairy's dagger" and he held
up a tiny lancet only a touch OF Il, and
a man would die as that dog did in writh.
ings, in twistings, in screams"
! rose and put my hand on his arm, keep
ing my eyes steadily on his face.
"Corte." ! said, this is not like you. You
arc not well. Here is some wine," and I
poured him out a goblet of Orvicto. lie
drained Il at a gulp, and sat with his head
buried in his hands.
As he sat there, the scene in the lonely
hut, when ! went forth an outcast from
Arezzo. came back TO me, aud there rose
beiore me the dim light Of the torch. the
mad figure OF my host. and ! could almost
hear the pattering OF the rain and the DIV.
ing Kisses OF the log fire without. Then
saw other things as we'll. and pity came
on nie for the man before me. A sudden
thought struck me, and. acting on the i'm
pulse Of the moment. | spoke:
Ctt utlts NplACa lou w. NOu want
rest, quiet. Throw of these dark thoughts,
and do what ! say. Two miles from Cola.
in the Bcrgamasque. lies a small farm 1t
is mine. Mine still, though mortgaged Go
there Ask for the Casino Savelh. and ~
YOU have come from me-from Ugo di Sa
yelli. You know my name now, and they
will want nothing more from you. Live
there until you are better. or as long as
you like The air is pure, in the hills there
is the boqueton for you TO hunt: the life
is good Will YOU do thisg"
lie lifted his head, and looked at me
Then, rising he placed one hand on each
of my shoulders, thin hands they were, with
long bony fingers that held like claws
'SignOre." he said. with emotion. "Donati
or Saveili whoever You are-you are a
good man. ] thank you, but il cannot be.
Goodby!" And, lifting up his book he
turned and strobe out OF the room. leaving
me n little chilled.
After that waited Tor my meeting with
D'Amboise. | saw to the packing OF a
vallse, went down and looked at the horses,
closely inspected the arms and mounts Of
my men, who looked capable of anything,
and, IA one way and another, managed to
Get through the time, until about the sixth
hour, when his eminence supped. present.
ell myself punctually, and was ushcrcd into
an inner apartment which had not hith-
erto seen, and where the supper was evi-
IDENTIFY to be held for the table was set out
there. ! was alone at first, and, seating my
sell on a lounge. looked about me. The
room was snail, but beautifully fitted up,
and had all the appearance of being the
cardinals private study. By my side was
d table on which was spread a map. with
various crosses marked on II m red chalk,
the chalk itself living ON the map, where
Il had been carclcssly flung. In front of
me was an altar, surmounted by a silver
crucIhx, bearing an eXquisitely-carved
Christ. Near It, in a corner, leaned n long
straight sword from whose cross handle
hung a pair OF fine steel gauntlets. Rest
ing on Il cushion, placed on a stand, was
the cardinals hat. and behind the stand
! could see the brown outline OF a pair OF
riding boots and the glitter of FURNISHED
spurs. In a corner OF the room was
large table, set out with writing materials
and covered with papers. Running my eyes
over these idly, | finally let them rest on
the supper table. which was arranged with
lavish profusion. The curtains of the win
dows were drawn. aud the light from eight
tall candles, IN Jews!ed holders, fell on the
rose and amber OF the wine in the quaint
TASKS, on the cheerful brown crusts Of the
pasties, on the gay cnamcling OF the CON.
futures, and on the red gold of the plate.
noticed too, that the table was st for
three only. 1t was evidently private sup
per, where things were to be discussed, and
l became glad, for ! felt already step on
wards towards winning back my name, and
- seemed to see ia the mirror on the wall
TO my left, a vision Of woman with dark
hair, and dark eyes
Your eminence!' | fairly started up.
had not observed the entrance Of DAM.
boise until he stood beside me and touched
INC lightly on the shoulder.
Dreaming, cavaliere. did not think
you were so given. am afraid that, late as
| am, ] must still keep you from your sup
per, for expect another guest. lia' there
he u.s."
Indeed, as he spoke, the door swung open
noiselessly, and Maohiavelli entered. lie
was plainly and simply dressed, and wore
no sword, merely a dagger at his side.
thought, however. caught the CLEAN Of a
steel corselet under his vest, as he greeted
the cardinal, and DAmboise's own sap.
phre was not more brilliant than the single
opal which blazed in the secretary hand.
This is the Cavaliere Donati, your excel
lency." said the cardinal, but ] think you
know each other"
Machiavelli extended his band TO me with
his inscrutable smile; but as ! met his eyes
| saw that they were troubled and anxious
He, however, spoke with easy unconcern.
''Well met, Messer Donati. can only say
am sorry we parted so soon. would have
given much to have had you in Florence for
few days more"
Your excellency is most kind"
est Dcnnls." said the cardinal. but are
you gentlemen going to exchange compll'
ments, and starve instead Of sitting down TO
supper. BURN, are We not ready!" and he
turned to his gray haired major-domo, who
had entered the room.
Your eminence is served, replied the
man, and we took our seats on each side
Of the table, D'Ambolse between us.
you need not watt BURN. but remain in
the passage" BURN stepped out silently,
and the cardinal said. with an air Of apol.
ogy: You must not mind 30 informal a re-
past, gentlemen; but we have much TO dis
euss-pleasure first, howeyer-my maitre
G'hotel has an artists soul. aud he viii have
tit II we do not touch this pasty."
The cardinal ate and talked. ! now and
then put in a word, but the secretary was
very silent, and hardly touched anything.