Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-10-14
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TIMOTEO|
CHAPTER TX.
oDpso fss by tns international, Literary Service


CHAPTER TX.
"YT was upon the stroke Of mid
night" began Ippolita, when
opened the gate, and Fiorella,
my tirewOman, was with me.
Now, Fiorella was always good dam
osel, saving in two or three little mat
tiers, one Of which is"-
"Fiorella be -; that is to say, never
mind Fiorella," said 1. 'Tell me what
happened to thee when thou vert out
side of the wall"
"Aye, that is the thing, fair prince;
but, by our Lady, there is not much to
tell thee, for we did find ourselves
straightway in the midst of band Of
Ill favored rogues, who laid violent
hands upon us, which made US cry out
with the fright thereof, and Fiorella,
being a stout wench, did lay about her
so Justify that they were fain to loose
her. Whereat she got within the gate,
I swooned and remember nothing
more"
"Incomparable Ippolitap exclaim-
ed. when thou hadst come out Of the
trance into which these base fends
had thrown thee, where vert thou and
what didst thou note"
Marry, fair sir, did not come well
out of it until l found myself In the
chamber where we now are. Nathless,
as we came into the house and as I
was borne through the lower parts of 1t
1 had one eye \pen, so that l secretly
took note of the mansion, Of the band
of robbers and of graybeard serving
man who admitted US to the castle.
And did see that his teeth chattered In
his head and that one Of the band eft
soons fetched him such grievous
whack upon the pate that he fell sense
less upon the pavement. And OF the
robbers there were fourteen men all
told, and with thirteen of them ! did
have acquaintance, whenas, the four.
teenth, who was their leader, ! did not
know"
"Ah, Ippolita," said I. 'thou dost in
sooth know these thirteen thieves right
well, and l do fear me that they set
such store by thy acquaintance that
they will be loath to let thee go out Of
their company. AS to the leader Of
these robbers, he also is no stranger to
thee, though thou didst not recognize
him, appareled as he was in my castoff
fnery. Know, then, that he is none
other than Brother Ambrose, the black
friar who escaped from the flames yes
treen."
"Frediddio, Timoteo. thou art pleased
to Jest with mel"
"Nay, fairest one, I Jest not, and II
1t is not the truth may the foul f1end fly
away with me. Moreover, 1t Is but
half hour since / watched the traitor
from my hiding place in the cellar Of
the castle, and l did hear him say to
one Pippo, his companion, that he re-
served thee for the fulfillment CT some
weighty enterprise"
"Now, by st. Reparata, didst ever
hear Of such an impudent, black and
scurvy knave? could weep for vexa.
ton at the thought Of 1t, and l could
tear out his base tongue by the roots
with redhot pinchers."
The wrath of Ippolita as she thus ex-
pressed herself was something appall.
ing. Her gaze was fixed and staring,
as though she saw before her the OBJ
ject of her resentment, and her fingers
moved convulsively as though she were
performing the surgical operation OF
which she had spoken.
Rather than that the poltroon should
touch me-" she continued, "beshrew
me, but / would murder him, cen
though had to kill myself the moment
after"
She thrust her hand into her bosom,
drew therefrom slim bladed and be-
jeweled stiletto and made theatrical
pass with it into the air before her.
"Sic semper tyrannis! exclaimed the
proud and resolute beauty.
"Gadzooks, Ippolita," said I, "thou
art not used to such playthings, and. /
prithee, put It away from thee. for /
do much fear me that thou wilt cut
thyself."
For answer she laughed the prettiest
laugh imaginable. The fire of her an
ger had subsided. and she was now her
own sweet self once more.
now noticed for the first time that
Ippolita was without the coronet OF
diamonds which 1 had seen her wear
at our first meeting. was naturally
interested in the matter, and / asked
her II she had left 1t home when she
came to the postern gate with Fiorella.
"Nay, Timoteo, it is matter OF no
moment, as I will straightway show
thee. l will tell thee the secret lest
thou hear it from others and think
sl,ghtingly Of me for it. A year ago
come Michaelmas the duke, my father,
being hard pressed by his tradespeo-
pie, did take the diamonds from this
same coronet and did pawn them with
the old money lender Montefori, put
ting in place Of them In the diadem
lot Of pebbles, which shone with great
luster and seemed In every way as
good as the original. 1t will be rare
lest upon these rogues when they do
discover it"
thought as she did. At the same
time wondered why the old duke had
not pawned some Of that great guam
tity Of gold and silver plate Of which
he was possessed instead of taking the
Jewels Of his beautiful and only child.
As though she had OWNED my thought,
she now continued:
"Having told thee the one secret l
will cen make q clean breast Of it and
reveal to thee another. Thou didst
doubtless take note yestreen at the
dukes banquet Of an exceeding great
display of tableware Of gold and sill
yer. Alas, that I must say it to thee,
but the whole outfit Is bogus. and the
goblets, plates and basins which thou
Tour CONS EoTS ~ hreed sd". esne. me.