The San Francisco call., 1907-06-09


And Conrad rose with a sigh of out
ragged virtue and adjusted the points OF
his rose-colored doubiet
ASKED the prince" Knocked Vim
cenzo: thou shouidst have gone with
out asking him."
a dash on the walls said Conrad.
that is what we need. not this idieness
and skirmishing. l long TO grasp my
sword and fly TO my Lady Valentines
rescue-but the prince"
Tell me not" said vincenzo. II
know Mastino always counsels pru-
dence. and 1 am weary OF it,
The prince knows more of Ii than
we. doubtless admitted Conrad. New
ertheless, these parchments may wait
while / have game OF chess with
thee"
May they, Count Conrad? And is
chess thy notion truly?" said Mastino's
voice without, and unannounced he en-
tered the tent followed by Tomaso's
father, Giorgi Ligozzi.
lie was from head to foot in armor.
His eyes fell on Vincenzo and his face
daFkened.
For shame, Yincenzo," he said. with
scorn. Thou art no longer a child.
to indulge in these pages tricks. and
much 1 marvel Count Conrad should
allow thee such license"
vincenzo rose sullepiy-
Lc4NS ISs continued DelI4 CCal1
with angry eyes And learn from
youder soldiers 20 play the man, and
wear a ieathern jacket with more grace
than a silken doublet. / am ashamed
of thee, vincenzo."
D'Este's beautiful face flushed crina-
son.
"'Tis not always the Ieathern jacket
comes out best at time of need. MY
lord" he said deiantly. "Try me in it
in a ight.''
Della Scala's glance softened. he laid
his hand on the boys shoulder gently.
Thou art D'Este and my brother.
Nincenzo. I do not fear thy behavior
in battle, only learn the harder part
TO bear thyself while waiting"
Vincenzo was melted, but not caring
TO show it before Conrad, left the
tent without reply.
He hath the making OF soldier In
him for ali his willfulness. pray you
pardon his present idieness, my lord,
and hold me as the cause" said Conrad.
L should have reused him sooner"
Mastino glanced around. 1t was the
hrst time he had entered the Germans
abode, and the lavishness of it's ap-
pointments were not to his taste.
This is an hour OF great need,
count he said gravely. The down
fall OF Visconti cannot mean to you
what 1t does to met cannot mean
so much to any man--but am I not
right Ia thinking IL means all to you
70 see the Lady Valentine visconti
free?'
"Alil AL I care for under heaven.
BY all the saints, prince, / will give
my right arm to serve your cause. since
II serves her." cried Conrad.
Della Scala's brown eyes observed
him keenly.
81 will ask service of you, count"
he said, mot thy right hand, nor any
feat of knight errantry, but something
full as difficult to render
Even if it be living on roots In a
dungeon, will do itr'
And, excited at the thought of some
adventure, Count Conrad waited ex-
pectantly, his hand upon his sword.
The prince smiled sadly.
Il fear 1t is harder task than that,
Count Conrad. and so aistasteful that
l would not burden you with IL were
there any other worthy to fntrust with
it. he said. But all the men here are
mercenaries-Captain Vanviteiii is a
boor: Ligozzi goes with me to Brescia,
whittier ] am instantly bound to confer
with Ferrara'
Prince, / am proud to execute
your commands" interrupted Conrad
eagerly.
Della Scala turned to Ligozzi, VINO
See that no one listens he said.
and as Ligozzi disappeared and Mas
tino drew nearer to him. the count fell
back, impressed by the eagerness Of
the noble face
But the prince took him by the hand
affectionateiy.
"Dost thou remember the huts out
side thy villa. Conrad--and Francisco
who rescued thee? ana giving thee a
"a xpflf l.e e~f
fui?''
ITO the deatht'' cried Conrad. Prince,
! will be faithful TO the DEATH
Count said Mastino earnestly, 81
return from Breseia tomorrow, bring
ing D'Este up with me TO join in an as
sault on Milan that will make the city
ours, trust within a week. OF neces-
sity ] leave Carrara for these hours in
command-almost all the men are his
providing-but.a his voice sank still
lower. II do not completely trust him
I doubt his loyalty I have misgivings
as to the use he may make OF my ab-
sence, therefore" he paused and laid his
hand on Conrads shoulder, Il leave you,
Count Won Schulembourg, privately in
charge. Watch him-never leave him
out of your sight till my return"
Good ! understand, 1 swear"
cried Conrad again.
Mastino Della Scala looked into his
eyes.
u trust thee" he said simply Thou
knowest how my wife's safety lies on
my soul---and if Carrara play false we
arc weli-nigh ruined These weeks
have / had him under Ligozzi's eyes,
day and night, and now thou must take
MY place" Conrad kissed Mastino's
hand in silence, his emotional nature
overcome TO tears.
Come. my lord. the time wears" said
Ligozzi, and Della Scala turned to leave
At the entrance he looked back
Remember, trust thee, and thee
solely, Conrad he said. AS he dropped
the flap behind him he turned to LII
gozzi.
4'wili he be worthy of it, Ligozzi?'' he
said. But / must perforce trust him
when there is no other
Outside the dukes tent his escort was
in readiness to start and his white
horse stood waiting. held by Tomaso
After all, my lord" whispered Lii
gozzi. "Carrara may not be false"
Mastino shook his head He only
waits the opening" he said. What
does console me-" he added, "ls that J.
shall be back tomorrow" And he