The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-02-02

"Tush" j replied, "the word of as.;on
u enough-but If you want last try 70.
your revenge l will cut you"
Double or quitss" he burst in.
'No. cavalierc," and dropped the woro,
ont slowly, "the five hundred against a fiv.
minutes interview with the Lady Angola
He leaned back in his chair in amaze, ane
l went on: Listen to me, only want fiv,
minutes speech with her-in your presenc,
if you will-come, shall cut or will your
''Diavolo!" he muttered. IF Carlo hear
of this-well, yes-I will cut first-the ten
a bad card to beat"
/ cut carelessly and faced my card. Il
was king.
Hell and furies!" he burst out ''Yc.
have won. Come, SIR" and, rising, he ad
vanced towards the bear.
"a moment, cavaliere. said in you
presence. l did not include Messer Pluto
there in the interview"
He gave me an, unpleasant. look, but
stopped short.
very WE'LL" he said, and, taking larg.
key from his girdle, went on before me.
It cost me great effort to keep cool; w
to now my luck had been so great that every
moment there was a temptation to put all
L
my beard as thought of the imposing foo
Count Carlo had placed in charge of hi.
prize, and when saw the huge shaking hanc
clutching the key could not help thinking
that nerves like that would never hold
sword straight, and that for all his size and
courage the cavaliere was not a very for
midable foe.
In. few steps we reached the door he
wanted, and Baglioni, after knocking once
simply turned the key and pushed open ths
door.
Looking over his shoulder 1 saw small
but well-furnished room, and standing in the
middle of it, in startled surprise at this sud
den intrusion, the figure of Angola. Qucl
as thought 1 made warning gesture, and
almost at the moment Baglioni turned round
with:
"a visitor for you, madam"
She did not seem to recognize me, but al
the warning gesture I made faint flush
came into her cheek. She stood looking al
us half frightened, half indignant, and al
last spoke.
81 do not recognize"
"Ugo di Savelli, madam" and bowed
Her lips curled little as she answered.:
"Well, Messer Ugo di Savelli-Cavaliert
Ugo di Savelli, should SAYS it not SO:
May l ask your business? If it is any mes.
sage from your master decline to hear it,"
and she turned away with motion of su,
preme disdain, thinking no doubt that was
a follower of Count Carlo.
"Ho! ho!" laughed Baglioni at my look OF
discontinue, 1.-The future countess can speak
her mind. 1 pity Carlo. You had best cut
short your five minutes, cavaliere, and come
back to the cards"
At this moment I heard the bear whining
below, impatient for his master, and knew
his bonds were all too slender to hold him
There was nothing for it but to save Angola
in spite of herself. All this happened in
fash, and with my full strength hit Bag.
Goni below the left ear, just where the neck
and head united. So sudden. so unexpected
was the blow that the huge man rolled over
like an OK, and short shrill scream broke
from Angola. My sword was out in & mo
lnent, and l stood over Baglioni.
IA cry, movement, and kill you like
a dog" gasped out, my breath coming thick
and fast; throw the key to the lady-picA
it up, -quick-now run to the door and
stand there-l am here to save YOU II
was done at once, for Baglioni saw ne must
obey or die, and springing back l closed the
door quickly and turned the ley. Almost as
did SO ] heard footsteps hurrying below,
and blew loudly on my whistle. The sound
of the whistle was followed by an angry
shouting that was drowned by terrible
roar, and saw Pluto before me, rushing up
the stair, with the end of his broken chair
still hanging to him. Baglioni was batter
ing at the door behind me. He was safe
enough, but my companion had dropped in
faint, and wanted all my hands and all
my nerve to meet the beast, who was now
on the stairway, not ten feet away from me-
Close to me was heavy stool. 1 seized this
and flung it at the animal with all my
strength, and getting between his forefeet
in caused him to stumble and slip back a
half dozen steps, but with another roar
Fluto gathered himself together and rushed
up again, his jaws agape and white with
foam. l gave him the point deep into his
neck. 1t might have been pin prick, and
he dented the steel with his teeth. Rising to
his feet he struck at me, tearing my short
cloak clean off my shoulders, and then my
sword was up to the hilt in his side and we
grappled. My left cheek was once touched
by his claws, and seemed to be hanging in
but although almost blinded with |
blood and choked by his fetid breath held
my head well down and drove my dagger |
again and again into the beast. Angola had |
recovered from her faint, and above the |
granting of the bear, the battering at the |
door and the clash of steel below l heard |
her laughing in shrill Mysteries. My strength |
was failing. l was about to give up all for |
lost when there was loud report, and with |
a howl the bear fell backwards. My hand |
somehow fastened itself to the hill: of my |
sword sticking in the animals side, and the |
weight of him, as he fell back, and as l shook |
myself clear, freed the blade. 1 stood half
dazed, watching the huge black body sliding
Imply down the stairs. until it Law in a /