The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30
CHAPTER TwENTY-FoUR
Trcacsery


HE day that was to place Milan
in the enemy's hands was wear
ing TO a close: the sun had almost
set in a wide sky. n flare OF
orange and purple. against which the
chestnuts stood in rich dark.
Mastino della Scala and some few
OF his officers were standing in the little
wood into which the secret passage
opened.
Behind them the army was in readi-
ness.
'T have wrenched success from the
hands of failurer' cried Mastino his
eyes brilliant, different man. fIe could
have laughed aloud for joy: he would
see Isotta tonight, he would keep his
word: Viscontis palace was near the
western gate; they would be upon him
before he knew.
There is no possibility OF failure
Ligozzi; no possibility of treachery?"
he said. eagerly, and pressed his
friends hands in his.
None. lord; Vistarninl is to be
trusted to the death"
Won Schulembourg's horse returned
to camp this morning." said Ligozzi
II know not where the count is"
When / am in Milan I will find him:
he shall wed the Lady Valentine; I
bear him no bitterness. An. Ligozzl.
the world will be a different place to-
morrow
And Mastino leaned forward eagerly,
waiting for the first sign of the return
OF TOmaso. who had been sent ahead to
reconnoiter.
The sky fared and biazed through
the trees till the whole world seemed
on fire; the red clouds were reflected
on Della Scalas polished arnor till u
glowed in one bright flame, above
which the plumes on his steel cap
loated long and white.
The next second the glory faded and
was gone, leaving the world cold aud
gray.
The sun had set
\ cold breeze stirred the leaves
against the pale sky. but to Mastino,
leaning against the tree trunk. waiting.
no foreboding came. 1t was success.
success-at last,
TcmasO is long" said Ligozzi.
The way is long" smiled Massino.
But not so long that we shall not
enter Milan before dawn
The passage opened into the UNDER
growth from the wide mouth OF cave,
and Della Scala, in his eagerness,
stepped forward into The shadow OF its
blackness. listening intently.
No sound broke the stiffness save the
little murmur of the wind. the occa-
sional elank of the brides of the idle
horses.
~Harkr' cried Mastino. 7 hear
himr'
He turasd with shining eyes to Lii
gozzi.
MY friend; at last heaven has
heardr'
He carries no torch" said Ligozzi.
wonderingly. for though footsteps as
cended. no ray OF light fell across the
dark.
He stayed not for toreh,v cried Della
Scala. "Bring Up the peu, Ligozzi.'
AS he spoke, dgufe forced Itself
out OF the dark a wild figure, and yet
Tomaso's, his white face was smeared
with blood which trickled from a great
cash on his forehead, his doublet was
rent and torn. and he reeled as il hurt
and spent.
tino. Mother -Godr'
Ton1aso sank at his feet with a Bit
ter cry.
"Ail is over.' he cried. I'VE are be-
trayed- oh. would I were dead be-
fore I had to tell thee.''
Betrayed" echoed Della Scala. All
the life was struck out OF him. he
steadied- himself against the eNcavern
"Betrayed?"
Betrayed? BY whom cried Ligoz-
81 All, thou art hurt
Nothing. nothing. J am in time
Nisconti-his men guard the other en-
trance-with difficulty escaped to
warn thee gaspcf Tomaso.
Who betrayed ts? demanded his
father. his face dark with passion
The girl said romaso. bitterly.
''the girl who loved viseonti.'
And Heaven favors her love and not
miner The cry was wrung from Mas
tino. I'VE are betrayed for a girls
love OF Visconti. And my wife waits
for mel" He laughed wildly. and drew
a faded rose from the folds OF his sash,
fiinging il on the ground
Look. Ligozzi a sign from heaven
a sign / thought had been fulfilled. But
a girl prayed for VIsconti. doubtless.
and her prayers are heard Isotta
must perish, but Visconti is saved, To
mack heaven sends me a sign.
(To BE Continued-)