The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

ton OF TclNSdl, SuI&eu over. net soiiS
was in his power. When she spoke it
was humbly, in a faltering voice, with
tears.
"Gisn. she whispered. "Gian--I have
never asked anything OF thee before.
Gian-this marriage is hateful to
me" SHE paused, then stepped. for
ward with appealing eyes. "Gian-
have consideration--have merey."
THE duke OF Orleans waits" smiled
Fisconti. viii you not let me lead
you to him."
Valentine drew back and steadied
herself against the wall.
She thought of Conrad with bitter
ness and shame, of his VOWS Of devo-
1ion. how he had sworn she should
never we'd the French prince-and-he
was free-had been SO for many days,
and never a word or sign.
Eisconti flung wide the chapel door,
and in the adjoining room he sum-
moned to her side his sisters page
Valentines eyes fell on him, and she
noted how the bloed rushed TO his face
as he sprang 10 obey. lie WAS q fair
haired boy with eager eyes, who wor-
SHIPPED her with a romantic devotion at
which she had often smiled, but
now
He lifted her train. and Visconti held
out his hand. Outside her door soldiers
kept their motionless guard. aud be-
yond the gay crowd swept to and fro.
Silently Valentine moved forward, but
her heart was burning with rcbeilious
hate.
II will try once more for freedom
was the thought she held to. and they
trsversed the great corridor and her
eyes fell az had her brothers, on the
grim outline of Isottas prison, Il will
free her too she added, with swell
ing heart.
And yisconti thought her conquered.
cowed into complete submission, and
watched her pass ahead OF him down
the banqueting chamber with salts
fed smile 10 see her the fairest and
the proudest there.
The brilliant courtiers streamed In a
mass OF color and Jewels, and Nisconti,
seated at the head of the table, glanced
at the cffeminate faces and frivolous
bearing OF the guests with some con-
tempt.
no news?' he whispered TO Clan
MOTTO behind his chair. no news from
Ferrara. yet?o
None as yet. my lord. The messen-
gers are expected at any moment.
The apartment was 3 blaze, Of wax
candles that threw a thousand dane
ing reflections on the elaborate silver
and glass that covered the table.
The bright light fell too on the rubies
on Valentine Nisconti's throat She
sat at her brothers side, with a pale
face and sparkling eyes On Nisconti's
right was her bridegroom, the duke of
Orleans, an elegant young man with
weak eyes and a Teceding chin. His
scanty. fair locks were carefully ar
ranged with grease and curling irons
into stiff curls, the ends of his mus
tache were elaborately twisted, and his
face was rouged plentifully on the
cheeks
Valentine looked at him once, then
Ignoring him utterly, she looked down
the long. glittering table to the great
entrance facing her. with a crowd and
press OF iiseries and hurrying attend
ants, waiting pages. AS for the French
duke. ne conversed with Nisconti.
Ignoring the hardly hidden contempt
that he was either too dull TO see or
too polite 10 resent.
The banoueting hall filled, and the
guests In their seats, the secretary
standing back among the servitors.
crept out into the antechamber. After
the glare and splendor OF the banquet
the room seemed dull and somber, and
Giannotto stumbled over a crouching
figure.
1t was Valentines page. weeping bit
terIy.
Poor fool" muttered the secretary.
"Wouldst thou lose thy place as we'll
as thy heart?' And he passed on with
q laugh. But after a pace or two he
paused. Through the palace windows
fiosted sound as OF distant murmur
ing and commotion. yet so faint he could
scarce be sure OF it,
The page had risen. shamefaced at
having been discovered. He was very
young. and his grief very real to him.
He choked a little. sitting his sobs.
silence" said Giannotto angrily.
Listen The sound grew nearer and
more distinct, and the secretary went
TO the window nearest sAd leaned for
ward eagerly.
Several horsemen and soldiers came
riding swiftly. holding flaming torches;
windows were flung open, people hur-
ried TO and fro.
Some evil news has got abroad"
said Giannotto, straining eyes and ears.
And now the noise OF angry shouts
and frightened cries became too plain,
and the secretary could see by the flare
Of some horsemen's torches q throng
Of country folk. laden with their pos
sessions, and some men driving herds
Of cattle, and soldiers torn and dusty.
Evil news, indeed, l fear" he NUT
tered, and waited anxiously.
A ray of brilliant light from the ban
tains and streamed across the room
there was laughter and ciink OF glasses,
and a voice singing I'm French to a
lutte. The page clenched his fists and
turned 10 go.
Stay" said Giannottc, stay. II
thou wouldst end thy days, here comes
chance, methinks, for some one will
have TO carry I'll news to yisconti." And
even as he spoke white faced servant
entered.
My lord" he cried. as Giannotto
stepped before him, there. has been
some sore disaster-the country folk
are trooping through the gates-there
is panic in the city
The messengers cried Giannotto,
.'the messengers
The messengers have not returned
but there are plenty bringing news
who were not sent for il, my lord. .
And as the man spoke a disordered
group. soldiers and servants pressed
into the room behind him.
Gently, my friends" said Giannotto,
checking their agitated outcry and
pointing to the curtains that hid the
banqueting hall. The duke.
a man, dusty and white faced, forced
himself out OF the crowd small, but
swelling every moment