The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-05

ing of D'Amboise, Bayard and the cardinal
|4sfsStrigonia. .Nalentinois stopped, and. in
his speechless way, held out his hand to
BayarJ. who merely bowed stif1y. Ccsare's
dark face whitened with rage, and drop
ping his hand to his side he walked straight
on, and l could see that D'Amboise was
eApostulating with Rayard, and Strigonia
openly laughing. This insult, however. had
not added TO Cesare's good temper; in fact.
he came up to us angry as a man could be,
and after greeting his sister coldly. turned
to St. Armande and looked at him in ST.
lence.
1T is usual, signore," said Don Michelot.
to to the chevalier. Ito stand in the pres
ence of prince"
II was not aware that you were prince,
sir" replied St. Armande. entirely ignoring
the Borgia.
"You can give this young gentleman a
lesson in manners at your leisure" said
Cesarc. ''By your leave, sir" and giving
his hand to- his sister, who took it passivdy,
he led her to another apartment, followed
by Giulia Bella, who tapped good-by on St.
Armande's arm with her closed fan.
Our group now consisted of Michelottc
and myself standing, and St. Armapde still
sitting comfortably in the lounge, evident
ly examining the contour of his small and
l
St. Armande 10 be grossly in the wrong, l
was delighted with the sudden spirit he
had shown. The youngster had heart, after
all, and there was the making of a man
in him.
Michelotto behaved with great compo-
sure.
Il trust, sgnore-I do not know your
name-thGt you will give me the chance Of
carrying out the dukes commands
"My name is St. Armande," replied the
chevalier; land / am ready now, if you
wish il"
'This is scarcely the place, signore; out
the vatican. gardens are a few feet away.
If you will meet me near the summer-house,
in, say, half an hour from now, it would be
convenience If we left together perhaps
it would excite remark" and the Spaniard
played with the inlaid gilt of his dagger.
very WELL"
Michelotto gave St. Armande a bow,
made slight inclination towards me, and
strolled of. To all intents and purposes
we might have been engaged in the most
friendly Of conversations.
"Well, cavaliere," said St. Armande, look
ing UP at me. 'are you satisfied now"
IL am satisfied, chevalier, that you are
still too young to be trusted alone. If you
| wanted to pick quarrel there were hun.
dred courses open to you; there are SO
other men with whom you might have
yourself, and you must needs insult Cesare,
and get cmbroiled with a cut-throat and
risk our plans. Where is your prudence?
But the wine is poured out now. You must
drink"
His color kept coming and going. II mean
to fight it out. shall step out in ten min
utes, and await him. See! they are all
gathering round the tables. What with
the wine and the dice, no one will take heed
who goes or who comes-good-by!" and he
held out his hand to me.
Nonsense, man-you are not going alone.
You will want a second"
''But not you" he replied, ANYONE but
you. You have work to do-not you, Sa
velli." His voice had almost choke in il
as he spoke.
Come" l said, put an end to this, OF
you will be run through the ribs. am 60.
ing with YOU"
He gave in with a feminine gesture OF
agreement.
"The business will not take long
at will take long enough, signorc, if you
go as you are going" and Corte stood be.
side us. "Sgnore," he added, 81 have over,
heard every word of the scene. Do not 60
as you value your lives. If you do 60, 60
with strong party.
"Diavolo!" l exclaimed, IAN affair oil
the dagger then!"
st. Armande looked from one to another
of US in surprise. "This is friend, cheva.
Her." ! said, who has done us good serv.
ice" and, turning to Corte, "but we must
meet the man-how on earth are we to do
so in any force?"
Look around you," he made answer.
like master, like man-stroll out. You
have some swords at your back. Take them
with you; but better not go at all. All!
/ see my new master, the Camulengo, look
ing towards me-be wise and do not co."
and Cortc moved off to where the Cardinal
Ascanio Sforze was seated, surrounded by
little group of courtiers and priests.
WHO is that man." asked St. Armande.
IT met him under circumstances too long
to tell you here" l said; .''some other day
you may hear all about him. We will, how.
ever, take his advice. and meet Don Michel
otto with an extra sword or SO at our
backs" So saying took his arm, and we
strolled through the apartments, where
everyone appeared to be giving full rein
to his fancy. In fact, the beginning Of IN
orgie had set in. Alexander, apparently re-
covered from the shock of meeting with his
son, was at the gaming table, playing
heavily, with Giulia Bella at his side. Bay
ard and Gonsalvo de Cordova were engaged
in earnest converse with each other, and
Strigonia and D'Amboise were cracking a
flask of wine. / heard D'Este say as we
passed him: 1T is adieu to your eminence
after tonight. / am a sheep fat enough
for the shambles, and must look to my
throat and my fleece"
"fou would be wise, Strigonia," DAM