The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-11-01


| ordered. II isa common belief thst those
who have not eaten food for any length Of
time are unable to do 30 when il u placed
before them at first. Whether am cousti.
tutionally stronger than the generality oi
men. | do not know; all can say is, that
formed an exception TO the rule, II true
one. and demolished my supper, gaining
strength with every mouthful. aud feeling
my chilled blood warmer with every drop
drank of my goblet OF wine. My courage
came back to me and hanished all thoughts
Of the Arno. AT last was done, aud leaning
back in my seat viewed with complaccucy
the huge oriGce had made in a most excel.
lent pasty, and the whites slowly sipped
my wine That feeling Of sleepy com.
fort, which attends like a good angel
on a full meal, possessed me, my SORROWS
had for the moment taken themselves oil,
and ! grievc to say did not even bcstow a
thought on her to whose charity ! was in.
dchted practically for my life ! sat for the
moment, Tapped in a dreamy comfort for
getiu OF all things. dozed for about half an
hour, and opened my eyes with my head
clear again, aud my pulse beating firmly. !
had, somewhat rccklcssly, it is true, enjoyed
crowns worth of happiness, there was
another fat crown still in my pouch; with
care it would last some days, and during that
time luck might turn. With these thoughts
running IN my head, let my eyes wander
over the room. II was now somewhat late,
and only the night-brds we're left OF these.
a party of five was seated at a table a little
removed from me, and were conversing IN
low tones. II needed but a glance to see
that they were not honest men. and from
around them, gathered they were here for
no good purpose. One of the party rested
bis eyes on me- and then whispered to com.
panion, who was seated with his face from
me. | caught the answer, which was given
in somewhat loud tones Even II he does
what does it matter? Cannot few gentle
men enjoy a glass in peace at their ordinary?
Il he gives trouble we can quiet him"
Could II be- Yes, It was no other than
the ancient Brico, who had. perceived. got
out of the clutches of his friends, the catch
rolls Of Montevarchi. made certain, there
fore, would have business shortly, and
leaning back again, pretended TO doze keep
ing my ears very wide open, and holding n
watch on the scoundrcls from the tail OF my
eye.
"IIe tarrcs late, said one, perhaps our
information IS wrong.
Il have 1t from a sure hand, from theyoung.
or Ceci. Buonoccorsi and he will both be
here. The former, however, as you know
we do not want"
l almost started at these words Was it
possible that had stumbled on the braves
who were engaged in Ceci's plot? Ii So
stranger thing never happened to me, and
chance was probably throwing in my way
what otherwise | would never have been
able to discover Even as the last speaker
finished his sentence, two persons, evidently
OF consequence, and a woman entered the
inn, and set themselves down at a table
close to mine. The men both wore masks
but the lady did not, and let her glance run
with a free look on us all. One of her two
companions, a very stout man. put down his
mask, disclosing Jolly. rubicund face, and
roarcd out for tlagon of wine. The other
still keeping his features covered, engaged
in a lively badnage with his fair friend, and
as he moved his hand slightly caught the
fash of valuable ring.
The five at the table all had their heads
together now, and saw the one nearest to
me stealthily draw his sword With an APP
parently careless movement | so placed my
own weapon as to be at hand on the mo-
ment. Presently Brico arose. and. swagger.
ing across the room with glass in his hand
deliberately stopped before the lady, and
drained it to her health. She laughed back
her appreciation, and Brico called out
BLOOD OF kingl Madonna, but you waste
yourself with His Corpulence there" and
he jerked his hand towards the stout man.
who sat specifies, his cheeks purple with
rage. Come and join us good fellows here,
he added, and attempted to pass his arm
around her waist; but the masked stranger
flashed out his rapier, and Brico only es.
capped being skewered 10y an agile retreat.
This was, however, the signal for an instant
assault, and with a shout of:"A Medici-
palle-palle," those at the table rushed on
the smaller party. As they rose, jumped
up, and pushed my table with great violence
in their direction. Two Of the men fell over
it, and this gave me time to draw my sword
and join the weaker party. The lady rushed
out with a scream, and the stout gentleman,
believing Justify for help, followed suit, the
attack being solely directed against the
masked man, who, with his back to the
wall, and the table between himself and his
assailants, defended himself with great spirit
and skill
Sashng one of the rufIiaDs across the
face, which put him out Of the fight. |
ranged alongside Of the stranger, and very
pretty setto ensued. At this Juncturc the
innkeeper entered with hsf-a-dozen others,
and kept dancing about, adiuring us to stop,
but offering no help. ! made for Brlco, but
could not reach him, having to engage with
better swOrdsman than had met for many
a day; but ! saw we were now three to two,
for the ancient was more bent on executing
fourshes with his sword, and in cheering ON
the attack, than on real business. My 9ppou
cnt was a left handed man, so anything like
a time-thrlst was out OF the question lie
played the usual game of left handed men,
namely, a cut over, and Encouragement in
terce, but, remising, forced him to
q straight riposte, and pinked him through
the ribs. lie fell with a howl, just as my
ran his man through We were
now two to two, if Brico was included, but
the others waited for no more and lied, no
attempt being made to stay them by the
host. The inkeeper however, began 10
make a great to-do; but the stranger thrust
purse IN his hand, and lifting his mask,
spoke few words in mine hosts ear The
effect was magical, and the padronc was now
all ciyility. We had a look at the two men
who were down, the one who was slashed
across the face being nowhere 10 be seen.
They were both quite dead, and an III look
ing pair Of corpses did they make.
"llave these carrion removed, padrone
and beware how you say word OF what