Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-05-03

fore asking messer the shopkeeper for seal
ing-wax and some parchment, which he will
ingly supplied on small payment, I care
fully folded up the tart, and sealed up the
packet. Taking it in my hand, went out
to Jacopo, who was holding the horses, and
said:
"See here, Jacopo. Take this packet to
the house of the secretary Machiavelli. It
lies in the ward San Spirito, near Santa Fe-
licita, and cannot be missed. Deliver it
into the hands Of the Lady Angola, say
nothing, and come away. There is no re-
ply needed; you follow"
"Excellency."
Fright Then after doing this you may
dine, collect your arms, and meet me in an
hour and half at the San Frediano gate.
And you might as we'll bring feed for the
horses with you. Stay, here are two
CROWNS"
''It shall be done, your worship. I know
the secretary's house, and the rest is sim
ple."
He mounted his horse, and trotted off;
and, rejecting that chafinch in cage
is better than a mavis in bush, and that
I might as well dine now whilst l had the
chance, swung myself into the saddle, and
proceeded at a smart pace toward the
Double Florin
had to cross the piazza of the Signory
TN my way there, and whilst doing so came
face to face with riding party. 1t was
composed Of several ladies and gentlemen,
and amongst them was Machiavelli, who
glanced at me with a friendly twinkle in his
eye, and gave me an imperccptible nod of
approval. Almost Immediately behind him
was old Ives d'Alegres, riding with bolt
upright seat, and making himself agreeable,
in his bear-like manner, to Lady Angola,
who rode beside him. There was no avoid
ing them, and yielding to sudden impulse
[ saluted as they came up. A look of
contempt spread over the features of the
general, who made no response, and Ma
donna Angola kept her eyes fixed before
her, as if she had seen nothing. They
passed by in a moment, leaving me speech
less with anger, for, owing to my failure
to preserve Il disguise, l had allowed my
beard to grow again, and D'Alegres without
doubt recognized me. There was some ex-
cuse perhaps for him; but none I could
think of for her, and, to add to my chagrin,
l thought that Jacopo would probably
waste hours in awaiting her return. let
my horse out to hand gallop, notwith-
standing the pavement, and luckily doing
no injury TO any of the passers-by or to him,
pulled up in a few minutes at the door of
my ordinary. Here, although l tried to eat,
I was so angry that could only trife with
my food, and, raging within myself, drank
full measure of wine, swallowed such NOR
sells as l could, and went to see after my
horse. BY my directions he had a light feed,
and was being rubbed down. AS provision
against accidents, I purchased bottle of
Chianti, together with roast fowl and
loaf of white bread, and these I placed in
my saddle-bags. Then, seeing TO the sad
ding of the horse myself, I exchanged my
velvet cap for the steel helmet. and draw
ing my sword-belt in by hole, sprang into
the saddle, and went on at leisurely pace
towards the San Frediano gate. There was
still plenty of time, so made no hurry, and,
indeed, when reached the gate, the gong
there doomed out five o'clock, leaving a
half hour still to spare before Jacopo was
due. I pulled up therefore at the side of the
road, and dismounting, led my horse up
and down. 1t was whilst thus engaged that
! noticed a priest, mounted on a smart cob,
knowing that a misfortune and friar are
he passed. He drew his cowl, however, over
his face, so that could make nothing of
him; but, on reaching the gate, he stopped
to ask some questions of the sentry there,
and the man, in raising his hand to salute,
slightly startled the horse, which threw
back it's head. This sudden movement made
the hood the rider wore fall back little,
but it was enough to enable me to see it
was the library scribe, old Ceci's nephew:
and I augured no good from this, resolving
nevertheless to be on my guard more than
ever. The pretended priest received an
answer to his inquiry, and, giving his bene-
diction, in true sacredotal manner, rode off
at a pace that showed his seat on the library
stool had not interfered with his seat in
the saddle. 1t was now fully the half hour,
and yet Jacopo did not come. waited un-
til the gong struck six, and was just about
to ride of, leaving message with the guard,
when saw him approaching.
make haste" I cried, as mounted;
"you are late.'
"Pardon, excellency! But the lady was
not there. had to wait full hour be-
fore she came back from riding, and Gen.
d'Alegres was with her." r. e..
"Did you give the packet?" @.*
II did, excellency. l rode up, asked who
Lady Angola was, and presented the
packet, saying it was from Cavaliere di Sa-
velli, my MASTER" "''s@'A :. = -" -
ooh, glorious fool! Did 1 not tell you
my name was Donati? Did not tell you
to say nothing, but merely give the packet
into the lady's hands?" H.
"Body o me, excellency! But there were
50 many about, my wits almost went a
wool-gathering. gave madame the packet,
however, and she took it,
, "Said anything?" .... T.
Nothing, excellency word"
There was no use crying over split milk,
and cursing Jacopo in my heart for mud
dle-headed fool, we started off. On reach
ing the sentry, thought I might as well
try, and find out what the sham friar was
looking for. The man raised his hand in
salute as came up, and flinging him crown
I babe him drink to the health Of the Sig
nory Herewith. r.. =.s =
.Marry y will with pleasure, and yours,
too, excellency," he said, as he pocketed the
money, evidently stirred BY the amount. Y
Instead Of mine, drink. to the health 81
my good friend, the monk J, who has just
.5one on. Can you tell mesif he inquired for
anyone here 5.s ], s..s:s $535. Il
I relied On the simplicity Of the man, and
On taking him BY surprise with the ques-