The San Francisco call., 1907-06-09

Thou wilt finish the game" said
vincenzo angrily. Does II pail the
moment thou failest to win?
My faith. fail when it pals. But
doubtless thou wilt win yet, II thou
dost not grow too hot" and Conrad
famed the boy with the points Of his
sleeves.
vincenzo's Iustrous eyes flashed
Doubtless / shall. count" he drew
from his finger an emerald ring. and
I will stake this on It,"
He dropped Ii on the table with q
rattle. and Conrad was animated at
once.
And I this" he cried. my forfeit II
the game is not mine In four moves.s
He placed his pearl thumb ring be-
side vincenzo's emerald
-Four movesr.. cried yincenzo scern-
fully. and leaned back with shining
eyes. Conrad reached for the glasses
with glance OF good humor at the
doing page.
"A night from the Internal regionsr'
he said, as he poured out the wine.
How does visconti feel tonight? Me-
thinks some kinsfolk OF his from be-
low are abroad"
vincenso emptied his glass and
Conrad emptied his and counter
moved. II hope thy emerald was not
laQyS SiIL, ne ldug1eQ.
vincenzo bit his lip. reflected long
and moved again
Conrad turned to the slender TASKS
and lifted them, one after the other;
empty all.
.'vittorem he called. "vittore.
The boy rose, rubbing his eyes, half
dozed.
Bring US more wine. vittore." Con-
rad turned to the board again and
hod af Int lLx<
move" he said; his plump hand hesi-
tated scarcely a breath Check,
Messer vincenzo.''
This is no light to play by" cried
Vincenzo. and in annoyance he moved
with too little thought
Conrad waited provokingly till fresh
wine had been brought and drunk. pat
ted vittore's head. and turned to the
game again.
Mate, Messer vincenzo, In three
moves" And he leaned back with the
calm air of conqueror.
vincenzo rose in a passion. dashins
his glass to the ground.
'I question thy fair play" he cried.
And l thy discretion" returned the
count, and his eyes were suddenly
wrathful. Thou art child, and canst
not play; and so like a child cry out:
You cheat"
Il said no word Of cheating" re-
turned Vincenzo. rs the accusation
one you are accustomed to, Count Con-
rad?"
Conrad crimsoned. "Play another
time with thy equals. boy, and take
better care not to insult thy bettersr'
"Betters!" And Vincenzo laughed in
reckless scorn. his hand on his toy-like
dagger. "A D'Este demeans himself to
play with thee-thou German upstarti'
But Conrad was to be moved no
q Inc
than any reply he picked up the rings
and slipped them on his finger.
But Vincenzo. hot tempered and pas
sionate, sprang forward with boyish
passion.
Thou shalt not have the emerald"
he cried.
Must / fight for it?" smiled Conrad,
and glanced at yincenzos little dagger.
THE emerald seems worth it-only
should be afraid of hurting thee" And
as he spoke he poured out more wine,
drinking it gracefully.
Il will fight only with an equal"
said vincenzo.
Conrad turned on him, and for all his
smile his blue eyes were dark. Thou
reckless boy" he said The Germans
are the lords of Italy. What is thy
family but fief to the EMPEROR
vittore had watched the scene in
terror. Tomaso had let him know
Della Scala had left Schulembourg In
trust. and he felt his master was hardly
acting as the duke had meant In
childlike fashion, eager to stop the
quarrel. he spoke his thoughts.
My lord" he said. shall ! not ac-
company you to the duke OF Padua's
tent. as the prince commanded?"
Commanded" cried vineenzo. catch
ing at the words Aye. Count Conrad
remember my brothers commander
II remember none. returned the
count haughtiiy. What dost thou
mean, boy?'
But vittore lost his courage under
the angry glance.
only. my lord. what you said" he
stammered. about keeping watch upon
the duke Of Padua."
$50 you were left as spy?' sneered
vincenzo, lis that IT.? Make haste.
Count Conrad hurry 10 rarrarasz fant