The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-30

and agony he nung himself down, roll
Ing over and over again in frenzy. call
ing for help and cursing in madness.
But no sooner had his cry rung out
Its tortured appeal through the palace,
han the leaping flames Of the furnace
a lightning-like flash blaZed through
the laboratory and was followed by an
explosion that smashed the windows,
tore the ceiling and shook the walls.
against which every heavy object in
the room was hurled with resistless
force.
After a brief interval of death-like
silence the door was pushed open by
Tommaso, the only other inmate of the
palace. who slept in a distant wing.
HIM the wreckage made, but 1t was not
until he had looked a second time in
search of his master that he saw him
huddled and motionless upon the floor.
His f1rts impression was that the
n noesert, was dead; ~ a deep moan
left in that charred body. Taking
him in his arms he carried the i'm
sensible man to his bed, where he had
no sooner placed him than a loud peal
of the gate bell ang through the silent
palace.
Grateful to hin that he was rot
alone in this emergency. Tommaso hur-
ried down to the gate to fine W MEM
bers of the civil guard, ehind whom,
at a safe distance, stood an awe-struck
group of peasants. whose curiosity
brought them from bed to see the
wreck by which the a~lchemist's sa-
tanic visitor had at last avenged him
self.
The explosion, which had been heard
at a considerable distance, had brought
the civil guard to make Inquiries and
offer assistance. Tommaso assured
them of his ignorance OF its cause and
of his masters condition. Medical aid
was Immediately summoned, and an
inspection Of the laboratory made to
make sure thai no fire was shoulder
ing.
1t was not until late in the day that
Zoffani consciousness.
Though frightfully burned about the
face, chest and arms, his injuries We're
not considered sufficient in themselves
to cause death, but it is believed he
could not recover from the shock re-
ceived.
He made no complaint of the in
tolerable pain that like a flame wrapped
his body; the body from which his
soon be free. But before that hap
pened there was something that must
be said. some secret that must be told,
painful though the telling be. He NUT
tered the name Of Sasari, and Tom
maso, who never left him, put down his
piONh lhSG, PuShSleu Wllu SrlSl 10 the
scorched lips that again mentioned the
III name.
In return he was told that Sasari
had been beside him all day, and had
only just gone, leaving word that he
was to be sent for without delay when
consciousness returned to the sufferer.
A messenger was dispatched 10 the
count, who rode back at once, and was
soon standing by the hard and narrow
bed where the dying man lay.
Ny dear master" he said, his voice
full of the sorrow he felt at their in
evttable parting.
There is something 1 nave to say"
Something o wish me to do?. You
have only to speak,"
Mo. no." came the low, weary voice.
II must tell it to you, his secret.
though you will tur from me; you,
my only friend, will shrink from me
when you have heard"
Never"
rs the door closed?" zoffani asked,
for movement was agony to him and
ne dared not turn to see for himself.
"Ihen listen to the confession of a
dying man."