The San Francisco call., 1907-06-23

Nh LOfSD, began Iomaso
again with a tImid eager
ness. there is news
'Tomsso," said his father.
thy news can wait
Mastino picked up his gauntlet from
The deep window seat where he had laid
it down. and, fastening it on Hooked
at Ligozzi.
What hast thou to say. Ligozzi? ?
Have any of the men returned2"
Ligozzi stood hdgeting with his cap,
looking unessily at the ground
Come" and Mastino smiled sadly, 4
am used to bad news. Ligozzi."
Some few men have indeed re-
>srned from Giacomo's army. my lord.
some fourscore-
Some fourscerew repeated Della
Scala. Are there so many as four
score that viii not serve viseonti?'
They have strange tales. my lord.
They say Carrara himself is dead"
@Carrsra dead." cried Mastino with
sudden herceness. savage as bite.
Now. I promised myself to kill Car
rars- Who has forestalled me-"
1T is said-Visconti himself-they
do not know"
And the traitor dead" broke in Della
Scala, was there not one-not one TO
lead the men back to me again? Wis
CONT, single handed and unarmed. was
allowed to take an army into Milan?'
Alas. my lord, not only carrara, his
captains, too. as it appears. have all
been bought"
Tell me no more,' cried Mastino.
L am alone to blame. cannot learn
10 deal with traitors"
'As for Count Conrad. the wretched
German continued LigoZzi, he has
left the camp" AS he spoke LigoZzi
glanced through the windows It the
tents. He took no one with him, but,
ordering his Germans to fight as one
man 10 the death for you, he rode along
the road 10 Milan"
OH cried Mastino with great cry
wrung from his soul He rested his
hand a moment on Ligozzi's shoulder.
I am well nigh sick, Ligozzi," he said.
The empty headed and the villain
prosper. and land mine-go to the
wall"
Tomaso stole forward Della Scala
Something TO tell me. sayest thou?"
he asked.
Tomaso's eyes were full Of tears.
For some moments he could not find
his voice
He hath discovered some secret pas
sage; useless, I fear me- said his
father.
Nay, father. I tell thee it leadeth to
the city. Today. lord. as I explored it.
] found stored there some rolls OF silk,
new and clean; together with some
earths such as / have heard say paint
ers use"
Della scala started. He found the
news not 50 unimportant as LiGoZZi
had.
Go on Tomaso." he said. and kept
his half closed eyes upon the ground
Indeed. my lord, il must be some old
subway into Milan. Tis wide enough
10 admit six abreast. and recently used,
as il opens some mile and a half out
side the city l have not yet penetrat-
ed TO the extremity. Lord, think of it
lit must open into Milan.
Della Scalas worn face flushed in
voluntarily. his eyes turned TO the
closed door OF the chapel Had he be-
lied the stone angels-the eXtinguished
lamps2
This seems great news. Tomaso.' ''
he said slowly. i will see into it,"
He moved as he spoke. Ny other
gauntlet. Ligozzi?"
All. said Mastino suddenly. 4 left
it ia the chapel
Tomaso had already departed for the
gauntlet. Mastino, following to the
door, saw him stoop and lift it from
the ground.
Tomaso handed him the ponderous
glove. sand, as Mastino took ii, he
stifed the cry on his lips and turned
away TO clasp il 70 his heart
For inside his glove. almost hidden
in the velvet lining, lay soft white
rose; q sign from heaven.