davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30

There was no possibility of failure"
The words beat upon her heart till she
thought it would break
Tomorrow he viii he dead.'
She syrang to her feet With sudden
energy; the sun was rising high--the
time was short.
1t was silent maddeningiy silent
Graziosa grew afraid oe it-she silence
and the sun; she wished She were dead;
it came to her TO kill herself. yet fun
we'll she knew that she had not the
courage.
She twisted her damp, cold hands to-
gether: she wondered if she shut her
might die without knowing it, and
nervins herself looked out.
But the stone courtyard seemed far
away, hard and cruel. and she WINGED
back again.
In her own heart she knew she was
a coward, and wept to think il was
so--wept to think she could not rise to
act, in any way TO act.
There was no tings of greatness in
Graziosa's soul: she would have gone
through life. il cnmolested. merry,
gentle. sweetness and happiness itself
content to always stand aside for 9TH
ers, eager to do little lSindnesses that
came within her compass, never
tempted because never seeing the
and ignorance: but great moment
found her wanting. a crisis she could
not face: as she tried to think, right
and wrong grew strangely confused
She only knew she loved Visconti, and
that he was in danger
She vas too weak TO kill herself, al
though she did not shrink from the
cowa rdice Of IT. only from the pain; she
r-as TOO weass 70 tell her father she
still loved y.sconti: she could not bear
TO see his face should she confess 1t;
he would never understand.
Il will lock the door, size said. with
wild eyes. lock the door, and let no
ore enter till 1t is all Overland per-
haps my heart will brea k she added
pitifuily.
Then she stood a long time. still with
hands locked tight Suddenly she
turned and her robe caught the jar OF
lilies. throwing them into the room.
There they lay. faded by the heat,
amid tile Broken Jar. and Graziosa
looked with uuseeing eyes. and picked
them up mechanically.
Opposite hung a mirror. and as she
raised her head she saw herself re-
iected thsre-
The lilieS dropped from her hands
as they had dropped before in the
street, the day Tisio took her bracelet
..Eie would have made me duchess OF
Milan.
She drew nearer and surveyed her
pale face closely.
Duchess of Milan, and he had all
Italy to choose from
The thought brought a flush to her
cheek
His sister is very. very beautiful.
l am not so fair as she, nor as Della
scalas wife. and yet he thought me 1T
to share his throne
She moved toward the door with fall
tering steps.
II must not think she moaned. IT
will lock the door-I will lock the
door,
But another thought struck her, and
she quivered with agony.
He trusted me--he trusted us-he
never questioned our faithr'
Then her heart rose in rebellion at
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30

her own weakness. Let Visconti be
betrayed wh=? What did she know OF
his crimese
She could hear her father feasting
the soldiers below. and thought OF him
restless and impatient for the nightfall.
Ifc had never loved AmbroS1o.
She listened and heard his voice in
pleasant laughter with a triumpnanr
ring in it. and sort Of rage rose in
he- heart.
Who are we to save Milan from I
tyraHtg she thought. "Ambrogio is
more to ne than all the Milanese."
She put her hand On the door handle
When would ne have sent for me-
she wondered DULY. HE smiled His
and ne Is An1h-ogio. and--ton ght. to-
night
Her eyes fell on the long blue
hooded cloak hanging on the wall near.
She took il down and paused with II in
her hand. looking at il with fixed eyes.
bird flew past the window sending
swift shadow across the floor.
Graziosa opened the door slowly and
stepped cut on the stair. It was al
most dark there: silently she closed
the door behind her and wrapped the
cloak about her. drawing the hood over
her head and face
Leaning over the stair rail, she saw
that the door OF the room below was
open, her fathers voice was silent: the
soldiers had gone elsewhere. Softly
she crept down into that pleasant
chamber where Visconti had sat 50
often; the sunlight came in from the
open door in a great band across the
dark floor. falling on her white facs
as she moved through it and out into
the yard She saw there was no soldier
by the door into the street. She
opened it. she could see her father and
the guard chatting over winecups by
the sundial in the garden; they were
not looking; she crossed like the
shadow of the bird upon the floor Her
pet doves few away at her guilty steps
as IL they did not know her. and Gra-
ziosa knew herself indeed changed from
the one who had last fed them.
The bolt OF the door would at first
not move for her trembling fingers
but she did not stay here: in a second
moreN she stood in the street a closed
door behind her. Graziosa would never
see 1t open more.
The houses stood clear against n
brilliant sapphire sky. and above them
moved silver banner. the banner OF
the Viper. 1t foated from the vis-
cont palace, and GrazioSa. with no
glance back, bent her steps in its d.
rection.
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30

how easy then to have struck him low!
What would Lonibardy have said?
''Ciragiosat' he called. He was eager
to tell her Tomaso had been again.
He never doubted for moment thas
her love had turned. his had done.
70 passion of outraged pride.
Graziosa -
But no answer came, and Agnolo
mounted the stair and entered her little
chamber in the turret. 1t was circular,
lit by three long windows. and now
ablaze with the morning sun.
Tho walls were hung with painted
linen, faded browns, and in each win
dow stood a rough stone jar OF lilies.
dropping neglected in the sun.
Seated on the floor near one of them
was Graz.osa. her face biriedF in her
hands. but at her fathers entrance she
raised her head and looked out OF the
window
''Grayiosa, said Agnolo. and there
was a boyish triumph in his voice,
'Eisconti dies tonight
She did not move.
Tonight Della Scala enters Milan:
there is no chance of failure
.'None?v she asked. Her voice was
dull
None: All, Grazioss. Visconti rouse I
more dangerous foes than he reckoned
on when he played with me and thee
The girl moved impatiently; her
fathers words Jared on her senses.
Father. / am tired she said weari-
II. and my heart is very sore.
Never fear, my daughter-tonight,
tonightr'
Graziosa turned to him; her face was
white and strained.
But if--ae--the duke--should not be
be slain? che said. He has q new
army here in Milan.
AYE. but surprise at dead Of night
is worth two armies to the others. The
palace is near. visconti will be in their
hands even while he sleeps
I'm Della Scalas hand she
breathed. THAT means. indeed---he-
o God. 1t means Anbrogio diesl''
The last words were breathed so low
AgHolo did not hear them. but he saw
the pain on his daughters face and
came gently to her side.
Forgive me IL l pain thee. my dear
est. God knows, if I speak lightly lis
but to hide a bitter grief---''
But Graziosa interrupted him with a
passionate cry. ard. seizins his hands
covered them with kisses.
Take no heed of met she cried. Il
am half distraught-soon I shall be
better
After tonight there will be shadow
gone from off US. Grazidsa, and pot
from of us alone.
There is no chance of faiiure? asked
the girl again.
Comfort thyeelf--none"
Graziosa said no more, and Agnolo
turned to leave. for there were the SOL
diers still to hoodwink, but at the door
his daughter called him:
at what hour do Della Scala's men
enter?" she asked in low voice, her
head still turned away.
'One hour after midnight" returned
the little painter
Della Scala leads them?"
"Della Scala himself" said Agnblo,
proudly. He is a noble prince"
His daughter made no answer; long
after the little painter had left her
again alone she sat there lstless in
the sunny, silent chamber. listless. with
her white face. leaning back against
the window frame
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30

But passion did not. avail him; he
must go barefoot.
Bleeding feet will complete the dis
guise, he thought bitterly, and flung
off his shoes and stockings
The robe was rather dirty; Count
Conrad's fastidious nostrils saacied it
smeiled of the roadside, where tile old
wretch has often slept, I warrant he
said, then CROSSED himself in contri-
tion at the sacrilege.
Next he hung the rosary and crucifix
about his neck--it was hatefully heavy
and the wallet about his shoulder.
The strap CALLED him, and the wretcfed
count nloened at his fate.
lie was bound to admit he had
brought ii on himself: he would carry
it through; and with a truly heroic air
he strapped the velvet doubiet on the
horse, and taking the birdie, made his
Way back toward the road.
On reaching il he flung the reins
over the steeds back and turned him
adrift toward Brescia: then with res
olution in his heart and tears in his
eye. Count Conrad Won Sehulembourg,
with feet bare OH the stony road, made
painful progress toward Milan
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30

the man that ! remember" and Mastino
family smiled. There is no guile in
him-nof in his daughter; poor lady;
he was happy them
"Nisconti had left guard Of soldiers
TO protect the house: but not so many
that they viii not be easily disposed
Of VistaTnini speaks them fair, they
nave no suspicion"
Mastino rose and held out his hand.
so thou hast done IL, my friend, thou
and thy son. ] owe thee much, lii
gozzi. A poor mans thanks are but
a hating gift: some day, however.
the duke of Verona shall tell thee what
his gratitude is worth. my friend. l
thank God. Lisozzi. for one friend
In thick wood near Milan. man on
a white horse was slowly picking his
way through the dense undergrowth
The trees were close. and in their dark
shadow the place was nigh as black as
night
Great tufts OF flowers grew IN the cool
shadow. There were no signs OF life.
save the birds whirring through the
leaves. the plants nodding in the
breeze.
The rider dismounted and tied his
horse to the low bough OF
large beech, fiinging himself on the
space of cleared ground beneath
of peacock colored velvet, tumbled and
torn. and. save for a richly ieweled
dagger, more for ornament than use,
was unarmed: but in the fight in which
Count Conrad had just engaged
though fight with two. weapons had
not been needed: persuasion had done
the work. and he had come out vie.
torious.
: IN g bundle ON his saddle hung his
he a
the scratches on his wrist, he looked
at them with interest and triumph
Presently he fell 20 lingering his
hair, then, sitting suddenly upright
drew his dagger with fsne resolution.
lie seized tho first of his long curls
and severed it.
Grimiy, not giving himself time to
pause, he proceeded to the next and
one by one hacked them from his head.
his beautiful blond. perfumed curls.
Conrad sighed as he saw them lying
on the grass, and felt his shorn head.
lie longed for a mirror in which TO
see the extent OF his Disagreement, but
there was not even a pool near.
Disconsolateiy he arose and detach-
ing the bundle from the saddle, he laid
IT upon the ground and opened II.
L contained monks robe, rosary.
book. wallet and a girdle.
Conrad opened the wallet and found
food therein. and he was growing hun
CRY: but when he came to consider IL
he sickened at its coarseness
Scraps of fat, sour, hard cakes,
mostly soaked in stale wine--the refuse
of farm houses.
Have | parleyed with and robbed a
begging friar?"cried the count in high
disgust, and flung the wallet far into
the bushes. Food for hogs.'
Then. with many sighs, he removed
the peacock colored doublet and hose
and donned the monks garb, drawing
the hood over his shorn head, tying the
girdle around his waist.
The robe was rather short and Con-
rad noticed with dismay that his
laced white shoes showed beneath
Saint Dominick curse him, but /
forgot to take his sandals." he cried
in q passion.
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30
CHAPTER rwENTY-THREE
For Love Of Amhroxio

st was early morning of the second
day since Ligozzl had discovered the
secret passage, and Milan lay peace
full. for in those two days there had
been no fighting; bit the calm was the
lull before the storm.
Agnolo vistarnini stood in front o.
the secret>door. with shining eyes. The
spring had Just slipped back behind
Tomaso, the last arrangements hal
been made; tonight Della Scala should
enter Milan--and he, Agnolo. would be
the means.
Agnolo looked across the courtyard
now In shadow to where a soldier kept
his guard. The guard was. the dukes
orders. and to the painters face the
soldiery showed all respect; yet we'll
Agnolo knew they laughed at yisconti'
whim, and shrugged their shoulders
at the pale faced girl who was TO be
duchess OF Milan. And the painter had
heard their talk among themselves.
1T was likely enough fer the duke To
ainuse himself In Disguise they said,
but to marry painters daughter"
TT were mofe unreasonable had de
lowered her to wed another, and vet
Ills of piece with all his madness..''
Il would sooner see her dead
thought the little painter. than dueh-
ecs Of Milan. the visconti's wife,
The white agonized face OF Isotsa
rose before him. the fierce rebellious
hate that nlarred Valentine viscontrs
beauty. and viscontis own expression
SIS he stopped to mock a woman In his
power: the gallant heart OF the little
painter throbbed with wrath and hon !.
est fury against the tyrant who played
with hearts, who thought the otfer OF a
crown he had usurped atoned for crimes
as black as hell.
Tonight. tonight" he murmured to
himself as he mounted the stair to seek
for his daughter. Tonight we shall
both aveI.5e the use of US to please &.
whim.
He entered his studio: it was empty.
the two pictures stood with their backs
to the room. Agnolo looked at them
grimly. How often had Visconti sat
painting that st. Catherine, unarmed,
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30

could not have Milan see thee thus
even II thou hast lost all shame"
A ring OF soldiers kept the crowd
back, all the crowd the narrow streets
permitted The high morning sun
sparkled on their halberds. spears and
arn7or; tho dazzle OF scarlet and gold
from their trappings was binding in
its confusion and Valentine hid her
eyes--from that and the dead boys
face.
a visconti. a visconti:" came the
shout. The horses of the Paduans were
champing impatiently: yisconti's
charger reared between it's holders in.
Now. where is my lord ," cried De
Lana. riding Up breathless through the
noise and glitter-"I have been out
witted-'
Hush said visconti softly. 4 am
here. De Laaa-and SO is she who out
witteG thee" and he pointed TO the
cleaked figure beside him. Take her
ahead in secrecy, and swiftly, TO the
palace.
The command and the movement
were lost in the confusion. The horse
men We're forming up behind viscouti,
and the wall and street crowded: from
every distant window and house top
shouting spectators gazcd on the gor-
gcous scene below
Nisconti drew his sword and held it's
shttering cross high up against the
sapphire sky.
Nov. glory be to God. his angels
and san Apollinare. my patron saint
that I am entered into my city again,
and for my most miraculous escape
there shall DC an altar Of jasper and
serpentine in the Lords new church
and therein hear my VOW
He lowered his sword and kissed the,
hib- then turning in his saddle TO the
men who had followed him as their new
leader; Have | not led you well. Pad
uans, he cried. safe into the fairest
city oS Lombardy? DO you repent you
OF following a yisconti through the
proud gates OF Milan-Siilan that L
have made more beautiful than Ra-
VIENNA and stronger than Rome? ! am
your leader now. knights of Padua. and
Clan Nisconti never yet led to aught
but victory or turned against foe he
did not crush. Once already have 1
trampled Della Scala to the dust and
ridden through nine wide cities of him
and spoiled his palaces TO pay my SOL
diers. with pay that men would die to
win,
4 DO not pay with ducats. Paduaps
or measure my rewards with coin: fol-
low me and l will give you cities for
your piunder. and mobiles to hold for
ransom. Like to the thunder will cir
Gle Lombardy. and city after city shall
surrender me its keys, and the meanest
soldier in my train shall gain him
Tame and riches from my spreading
greatness such as kings might envy!
Vow, who but faint heart would fol-
low Della Scala, who lost into my
hands his very wife? So long as there
is a Nisconti he rules III Italy,
ShoUt after shout triumphant,
greeted his words. the very air
filled with the spirit OF victory. the
madness OF triumph. the glamour of,
gold. the fash Of scarlet. the high gilt
ter OF spears. that waved to and fro
the mad plunging of thousand horses
blinded with the dazzle of the sun; and
rom the threats of the throngine citi-
zehs- one wild cry arose: "Viseonti.
Nisconti. San Apoillnare: Vfsconti and
Milan. The dixie rides the city,
The San Francisco call., 1907-06-30
CHAPTER TWENTY -Two
The sccret Passage

TANDING on the steps of the ole
castle, Della Scala looked dowr
on his diminished army at least
they were purged of traitors, hc
thought. srimly; what remained were
Veronese. and true
At the news of Carraras treachery
D'Este had marched aside to Mantua
whittier Nincenzo had been sent.
The sun was dazzling down, glory
OF gold. sparkling on the still wet
leaves. and the brilliant colors of the
pennons and banners that fioated above
the tents.
Della Scala greeted Ligozzi and hi.
son.
Tomaso would have spoken eagerly
but his father hushed him.
The news is most important my
lord. he said, best tell il you in pri-
Nate." Then. unable to restrain him
SELF, he added in a Whisper "Ol. the
saints and angels be praised, / think
we have Milan.'
Mastino della Scala. as he led the
way back 10 the castle trembied. al
most with awe. 1t was a sign from
heaven.
AS they gained TIE chamber and
bisozzi closed the door, 1omaso burst
out into his tale, half crazy with de-
light.
1T seems you have success. said
Mastino quietly.
But he seated himself at the extern.
porized table and with his hand shaded
his face; * was almost more than he
could bear.
The passage leads into Milan, said
Aigozzi ereathlessly. 1T is lar~s
enough TO admit an army. and opens
INTO the house Of one who is our friend.
That. my lord, is why we have bean so
long. The good fortune is miraculous
Tor We were brought out into the house
OF a man mad against Visconti. and
thinking OF nothing but revenge. He
alone knows of this passage. and
through it viii admit your men,
Abr Mastino drew a deep breath
and raised his eyes. God hath heard
me, Ligozzi.1
1T was true cried Ligozzi. oh,
lord, he was indeed here Only tbis
morning he re-entered Milan. carrara 3
army behind him: returned in time TO
stay his sister. who loathes her en-
forced marriage. and-End----' he sud :
denly faltered in his recital as Tomaso
laid his hand upon his shoulder
Mastino looked at them keenIy.
And yhat@' he asked.
Il was going 10 say. lord, that in his
escape. was recaptured by the duke
himself in this Agnoio's house"
is il for that he hates Visconti?'
asked Della Scala.
Nay. my lord. he hath other
wrongs" and LigozzI proceeded to re-
late the tale the little painter had
poured into his ears that morning.
Not for naught did / conceal that
passage. he cried 10 me. MY lord.
truly.it was not for naught, seeing we
shall thereby slay Visconti:"
This man. Agnolo, he is to be
trusted?" said Mastino.
If ever man was. He would see
Milan in ashes and yisconti were.
among them"
And the girl:7
Il did not sec the girl. but methinks
she has the same cause TO hate yis-
CONT.
And that no one should know OF
this passage, It is strange" mused
Della Scala Thou art sure there is
no trap. Ligozzi? Much disappoint-
ment makes me wary
trap. my lord. and that this man. AgS
nolo vistarnini, is dealing with the
TRUTH
''vistarnini." repeated Mastino. Me
thinks / know the name-a painter,
didst thou say2"
a painter. my lord. the house is
near the western gate
THE western gate. ] remember. 1t
was the day I found Won Schulem-
Dourg. Truly l think we may trust
Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-08-08
Death of n. A. Putnam.

After a short illness, Hiram Augustus
Putnam passed peacefully away to his rest
Sunday evening, July rs. The news of
his death brought sincere sorrow to a
large circle of relatives, friends and ac-
quaintances. He was born in Bethel,
VT, March Z, 1927, and thus at the time
Of his death he was in his s1st year.
Jan, 80, 1S49, he was married to Miss
Harriet Alexander Cushing of Bethel
Ten children were born to them, ali of
whom still survive. Mrs. Putnam died
March "a, 1901.
When a young man, Mr.. Putnam
worked in the machine shops at Spring
field, Mass, but after his marriage he set
tied down to farm life. He was passion
ately fond Of nature, hunting and trap
ping and other things incident to outdoor
lie. From Dec. s, 1902, to the time of
his death, Mr.. Putnam made his home
with his daughter, Mrs. George Farm
ham, at Brookside farm, Tunbridge.
The funeral service was held at the
house Tuesday morning, large number
Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-08-08
sTockBRipGE
,ecil Farrar was in Bethel Friday.

Cecil Farrar was in Bethel Friday.
Romano Sawyer is very poorly at this
writing
Henry shepard has finished work for
/ A, l.. Baker,
George Mills and daughter, Josie, were
in Rochester Saturday,
Leslie Chamberlin has returned from
his work in Queehee.
Mrs. Annie Green is visiting at Fred
Farrlngton's in Queehee,
Joseph Manning was at home from
Rochester over Sunday.
Elmer Ranger and wife OF Rutland are
visiting at Joel Blaekmer's.
Miss Adellne Wilcox and p, W, Green
We're in Pittsfield saturday.
Mr.. Allen of Massachusetts is visiting
his cousin, Charles Allen,
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Patnode OF Roch-
ester were in town Sunday.
Mrs. Ed. Patnode aud Miss Bessie Saw
yer were in Rochester saturday.
MIR. and Mrs. A. f. Baker spent satur-
day at DIR. o. V. Greene's in Bethel.
Miss Zoe Abbott OF Gaysville has been
visiting her cousin, Miss Josie Mills.
Mrs. Frank Barnes and daughter, Bees
sic, were in Rochester day last week.
Mrs. John Barnes and son OF Bridge
water visited at Fred Packard's recently.
Messrs. Madison and vining, with
friend, were in town several days last
week.
Mrs. George Baker OF Rochester was at
Mrs. Harriet Birds Wednesday of last
week.
Mrs. F. A. Putnam and Misses Ruth
and Bernice Putnam were in Bethel Sat
urday.
George Curtis of South Stockbridge is
visiting his sister, Mabel, at Fred Pack
ards,
Miss Edna Greene has gone to White
River Junction, where she has employ
ment.
Blanche and Roy Patnode of Rochester
spent Saturday and Sunday with Miss
Bessie Sawyer.
The young people will hold a social on
the common Wednesday evening, Aug.
Il. All are invited.
Mr.. Farrar of the Whitcomb hotel
went Friday to the northern part OF the
state on business trip.
Rev. John Allen and NJ. S. Allen of
Sterling, Mass, visited their brother,
Charles Allen, last week.
Fred Putnam and Miss Green, Frank
Putnam and daughter, Ruth, were at
Chittenden pond Saturday on a fishing
trip.