The San Francisco call., 1907-06-23

ness was pitiful to see: vaIentins
looked down at her white face ane
trembling lips and with sudden I'm
pulse stopped ard kissed her.
1t was still early that the streets
were empty save at the gate where
soldiers clustered. but they took small
heed. for the three looked no unusual
figures.
Now the passports" whispered VAL
entine. Adrian must show them. but
do ye stand ready. Isotta. to answer it
they question. 4 dare not. lest they
know my face. Remember. Adrian. an
escort meets US half leasce away.
and 'tis quiet village that we traveI
to-"
Isotta d'Este steadied herself against
the wall and grasping Valentines
hand, followed Adrian toward the SOL
diers on guard.
stand to thy part now. Adrian"
said Valentine; remember 'tis our
lives"
A growing knot OF men stood outside
the guard room; there seemed to be
some great excitement: ringing orders.
loud talk, increasing bustle- No one
took heed OF the three. nor even noticed
them, and only after a delay at which
Isottas heart sickened could Adrian
find an officer to whom to show the
passports.
He glanced them over hastily. They
seem TO be in order" he said, then sud-
denly turned to the woman of the
three:
What do ye do leaving Milan, mis-
tress. when the country Is IN arms,
with no escort save two boysT
She hesitated, and Valentine stepped
forward quietly.
Our father is sick" she said. "and
tits a pressing question OF Inheritance.
Our kinsfolk promise US an escort"
The officer shrugged his shoulders.
"Tis your own Iives.' he said Later
in the day ye can go. Not now. There
is an army coming. and the duke in
front of it,"
Valentine stood still and calm.
Our father is very ILL.," she said:
"If we are not in time we may be beg
CARED Our passports were signed by
the duke himself. We demand to go.''
But the officer had hardly heard her.
a fresh detachment Of soldiers had rid
den up. and the mans thoughts and
eyes were engaged in half dozen
places.
Half mad Isotta sprang forward.
shaking on Valentines restraining
hand.
eve must pass. we must through
this moment she cried. let US
through and Wen make II worth thy
WHILE
at the eagerness OF her tone the Of
fcer turned. surprised
o are very ANXIOUS ne SAID.
For the love Of heaven. matter OF
life or DEATH" said Isotta. and in her
despair she would have knelt. only
Valentine dragged her back beside her.
1T is very serious" she said after
the duke has entered we may leave?"
she asked Indeed, ye cannot stay US"
AYE, leave after the duke has en-
tered, but now clear yourself away:
my lord comes apace, some allies with
him" and with wave OF his hall
berd he swept them back.
Valentine flushed at his tone. yet
drew back, her hand on the pages
shoulder.
But Isotta struggled free and again
rushed forward.
Il will passe' she cried wildly. IT
Will 1 have not got so far to be
stopped now
"Oh, thy Madness murmured VAL
entine.
But Isotta had rushed to the very
gate itself. and was only forced back
by the pixies at her breast
The officer looked at the group with
mistrust.
what is thisg" he said. What
means this passionT'
she is half distraught" said Valen-
tine '.Beggary Is no small matter.
messer. We will be quiet, though, I
promise you, until the duke is
past And to Isotta at her side she
whispered. holding her hand tight,
Thou wilt ruin all; control thyself.'
But the unfortunate Isotta was calm
enough now: she followed Valentine
without resistance.
And now Carrara's army had reached
the gates, and fell back to await Vis-
eonti The whole city was in tumult.
the streets filing with excited people.
there was mad shouting, the clash OF
arms a Visconti. Viscontir'
we shall be crushed to DEATH" said
Adrian. Il must find you shelter, lady"
and he looked around eagerly.
The duke-the duke.' and the great
gates began TO OPEN
1T is use1essr cried Valentine. "and
as we'll die this way as another"
There is a door here" said Isotta;
and turning with difficulty they saw
indeed a door, deep set in the wall and
} closely shut
In desperation, Adrian knocked loud
ly. "A viscontir' shouted the soldiers.
~ Visconti.'
They were fast being hemmed in by
the crowd; soldiers were pouring
through the gates in companies.
strange soldiers the new allies: and
as Valentine beheld them in strength
and numbers, and heard them shout
her brothers name. she felt her last
desperate throw was lost.
"A visconti.'
knock on the door again." cried
Isotta. knock again"
Cavalry was passing. going at q
trot, so close the hoofs were almost in
their faces, the foam flew over their
mantles.
Then in wild confusion they pressed
back against the door; passing close.
a host OF pennons waved from glitter
ing spears. the tossing OF horses heads.
the champing Of their bits. a clamor
OF noises, deafenfng shouts. a hurry OF
the calvacade, and then--suddenly n
horse drawn up close TO the shrinking
group in the shadow of the doorway,
and a rider looking down at them.
Wild with terror, Isotta flung her
self against the door. which yielded.
Valentine looked up at the man who
had stopped-saw her brothers face.
s.Ah. my sister" he said between his
teeth; and Valentine, scarce knowing
what she did, fed after Isotta. the page
behind closing the door upon Visconti.