The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02

taAt Della scala knew nlm 10 De Help-
less and Isotta safe.
Scheming in his crafty soul for means
TO outwit Mastino. yisconti thought OF
Giacoruo Carrara. who held Padua, Ire
yf<o, Cremona, yicenza. He was Della
Scala's ally, but a man OF no upright
soul.
Gould / gain him. thought visconti.
In his musings, Il could stand without
the empire, without France, and use
my captive as 1 please and not as they
dictate
To the Estes and Julia GonZaga he
gave no thought; well he knew they
were not likely to desert Mastino--
but Carrara--
Meanwhile. he threw his whole
strength against the opposing army.
keeping it at bay. gaining time-and
planning.
But Mastino della scala.s object was
not to lose time in idle skirrnishes.
Brilliant success had fallen to his share,
not one reverse had ir1arred his short
campaign, and it is not the policy of
the victor to daily with time, rather
to seize the chances each day offers,
while yet fortune smiles on him.
But we'll Della Scala knew that
neither honor nor pity nor shame but
fear alone would restrain Clan Maria
Visconti from venting his hatred on
1sotta d'Este.
Still he kept up e, stout heart. Wis
CONT dare not. To make assurance
doubly sure he used all his influence
at the court of Rome to procure the
aid OF the church against the duke
of Milan.
Many time had he rendered power
ful help to the pope, and. as his present
position stood, might do so yet again:
and the result OF his appeal was a
grave embassy from the pope to Wis.,
CONT, threatening him with excom-
nlunication and the sword OF the church
should he dare to touch Isotta d'Este.
For the first visconti cared little:
twice had the church thrown him out.
and each time he had laughed at il and
emerged triumphant; but now his posi-
tion WAS more perifous than it had
ever been since he mounted the throne
OF Milan and he dare not treat this
mandate OF the church as he had done
the others.
The pope's. temporal power was too
great; were that once turned against
him. even with the empires aid he
could hardly stand: so visconti an
swered them with fair words pledging
his honor for the duchess of verona;s
life.
One bright summer morning yisconti
sat at the open window OF his palace,
; thinking.
At the other END of the room the
duke D'Orleans and Tisfo were playing
at chess: between these two, during
the dukes enforced stay in Milan, a
friendship had sprung up and visconti,
weary of his foolish guest was well
pleased foolish brother should take
him off his hands
The Freucilman was prepared at once
to carry out the contract. marry yalen-
tine. and depart for France. but Wis
contis pride would not permit The
duke d'Oriears had witnessed a reverse
he should behold triumph. Valentine
should leave Italy as befitted his sister.
not ny from it a fugitive and the
French prince, who in few weeks had
yielded to Clans subtle influence and
learned both to fear and obey visconti
assented neekly to delay and whiled
away the time as best he might.
Visconti sat so motionIess and silent
that the chess players were forsctful
of his presence and their voices rose
high.
My move said Tisio gleefully. See,
the roolx takes your knight
Your rook could take my knight
returned DOrieans. 1T it were your
move. but as it Is mine
You are not watching the game"
was the angry rejoiuder.
Your pardon, my move. said the
Frenchman calmly. and, with a smile
on his vacant face he swept up one of
Tisio's men.
MY move-and--mate, M,sieu"
With cry of childish rage. Tisio
snatched at the board spilling the men
on the floor.