Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-09-23

his lordly palace upon the street OF the
TraditOri a rare and gOodly banquet
whereat there will be much feasting
and drinking and store Of noble
clothes and music and beauty. Many
are hidden, and, as those who list may
60 masked, peradventure of those who
are not hidden not few will there be
present. Mask thy face. then, fair
prince, and bie thee presently to the
palace of. the duke. There shalt thou
note many OF the things which | have
spoken and in the same hour get much
pleasure from such scodly company or
rich knights and beauteous danes"
Brother Ambrose" said |, THY sug-
gestion is well made. but it cometh tar
Oily, as I already did intend before |
saw thee to be present at the func-
tion."
go to. prince, but thou sayest well.
1t will be rare occasion. and the more
so that thou wilt have opportunity to
meet divers of the head men of thine
own faction, whose purpose. If | do
not err, is to disguise themselves ana
mingle with the crowd. Were | at
thine elbow, thou shouldst know them
all. Perdio, thou shalt not lack for
guide in these matters. l will go with
thee"
"And who asked thee to go?" said
curtly.
"And should put the same question
to thee" he replied with effrontery.
"what wouldst thou say? Thou art no
more bidden than |, and should !
choose to enter the palace before thee
or after thee what should hinder me-"
"But hast thou no fear Of recapture
and of being led again to the stake"
"Santiddio. no. sir prince. \ miss
is as good as mile. and 1t would take
dozen yoke of oxen to bring me as
near the thing as | WIS tonight
will tell thee secret. am one of the
inner council of the EleyatloniStS.
Many Of the brethren Of the band. as
before informed thee, will be in evil
dence at the dukes soiree. so that !
will be, in the words Of Castruccio be
fore his election, in the hands of my
friends. Marry, go to. Thou shalt lend
me certain Of thy gorgeous clothes. ana
none shall suspect the escaped Brother
Ambrose in the masked and gallant
cavalier. junketing and capering at tie
festival of the duke
even so be it," said | after ponder
Ing t:r matter and findil t'.at ! was
plea spd in spite OF myse.f 1T the i'm
pudent rascaiity and boldnc,s of the
proposition. Clan Jacopo WI 81 tEee
out with the apparel that is necessary
And let II be done eftsoOgs. rs the
darkness has long since come. ANA !
am minded to 90 ut once"
Ny strange guest retired Win I"co.
DO and in few minutes returned 50
completely changed that he scarcely
seemed The same person. His. ;,:.r' w1'
as splendid ard costly rs that which J
myself wore, and. though the co.ors OF
II were more dazzling and less Gar"Ip.
NOUS. he seemed the high brcI ?ad
NANtIlAA4- i' ~ AhN
face. which still pres rycl the ciriiE
look Of the discredited friar. We nc"
masked ourselves and went out into
the street. and. my retainer preceding
us with u torch, we set out for the
dukes palace.
"Anent the duke" said Ambrose aS
we passed along. II would have thee to
know that outside Of his little matters
Of politics, which. as thou art aware.
necessitates some prevaricating. much
bribery and an assassination now AMI
then, he is as mild hammered man -
ever scuttled ship or cut Il throat
When everything cometh his way. he
is of most exceeding good nature.
Moreover. he loveth his cup and his
lest right well and maketh excellent
and pleasant company. Nathless. !
would not advise thee to let 1t he known
this night that thou art Prince limo
thy. the rival of his house. 1t would,
forsooth. be most parlOus. and thou
wouldst have short shrift and quick
burial. AS thou hast never been NJ
court, thou hast not yet beheld Castruc'
clos daughter. the Lady lppolita. Pre-
pare thee then. for n very ecstasy OF
admiration. for she Is the most beaute.
GUS creature in the realm. OF middling
stature. yet with limbs nodded like
those of Greek nymph. with face
lovely to look upon. dark. melting eyes
and a great plenty Of waving hair as
black us night-such is the Lady lp-
polita. Moreover. she is courteous.
queenly. chaste and bright among all
the wickedness and corruption OF the
court. as is pond lily lifting its fair
head out of green and stagnant pool
We were now come into the street OF
the TraditorI. and beheld for the first
time the ducal palace. 1t resembled
somewhat the old palace Of the Medici
at Florence before it was altered and
enlarged by the Ricardi, excepting that
it's many pillared and airy facade was
of white marble. The whole front Of il
was lighted up with lanterns of differ
ent colors. and. as many gayly dressed
people were going in and some coming
out 1t presented very pleasing and
lively scene. Guards carrying halberds
and resplendent in full armOr stood at
every point. but we passed by them un
questioned and soon found ourselves
In the great hall Of the palace, where
the company was assembled.
fro BE CONTINUED