The Viper Of Milan
CHAPTER ELKVK.V
>I«»Hb« Delia Seals . , .
IN the council chamber of the lines*
aunmer palace at Ferrara were
gathered the liead» of the reigning
families of Liombardy.
At *. long table, set across one
end of the apartment, two men were
jeated talking to one another. in low
voices. They were d'Este and
Giacomo Carrara, duke of Padua..
JTEste, a stern, gray-h*lr*d ma:i of
fifty or so, with keen eyes and a hard
mouth, was talking rapidly, tapping the
while his fingers nervously, upon the
table. .; *
Carrara, florid, pleasant maunered,
with brilliant black eyes, black hair,
*nd a ready smile, leaned forward ajid
listened, observing Mm keenly. Oppo
site them, bu^*the length of the 'table
away, a lady with- tired eyes and «.
l)*tlepl "mouth leaned b*ck in her
«.iialr, motionless, watcblug the lr*<»
•ten through the window.
She was Julia Gonz&ga, the repre
*enlative"in this gathering in the nrcr.e
of- ber Infant nephew, of the city of
Mejitua and iis domains, the head of
the fourth and last great family of
J>ombardy who dared to false a band
.->gair.st the encrcachments and the
power of Visconti.
But if at this end of the chamber the
ouly sound was low converse, all ffub
dued and quiet, at the farther end gay
voices" and bursts of laughter broke the
stillness.
For seated in the broad window seat,
loyi'ng with a spvig of myrtle, was
fount Conrad, brilliant and U%hi.
hearted, clad in the last extreme of
fashion, resplendent in primrose .vel-vtt
and mauve silk, with long scalloped
sleeves that swept the ground.
Around his waist was a gold l>»it
suspending, by a jeweled chain. . an
V-.tange stuck with t-loves and Inclosed
in a -case of silver filigree.
. Count Conrad also wore earrings,
I>e*'rl drops that shimmered through
}iis blond curls, and on each wrist a
bracelet: yet even this effeminacy
«ould not altogether destroy a. certain
manliness that was the count's, "> spite
of an almost seeming wish to disallow
\u25a0 Beside him, half leaning through the
window, was a youth of twenty, of that
>'!illiaut beauty too bright to laet.
" He, too. was dressed wore like a.n
idle courtier of the Valols court than a
lighting noble of the free cities, «rla
the rare charm of his face was marred
by the spoiled affectation o* his nun
ner.
•'Another war!" laughed Conrad.- "T
have done naught but fight since I lelt
Germany. I am on the tick list.'* •
••.Not when the war is of thine own
.seeking." said Vincenzo. "Because
tßou needs must fall in love with the
Yijconti's sister — as if thtre were not
.others as fair and far safer to woo!"
Conrad crossed his legs and glanced
critically at the taper points of hl3>
sold shoes.
*" 'Tis not my wooing of Visconti's
?i*ter has caused . war,'*.'lie replied.
••Thy_ brother :n law : "
"L beseech thee," cried Vhicenzo
petulantly, "leave me some little rest
from mention of his name and wrong"!
Kver since you rode into Ferrara some
six days ago. there- has been naught
v\se talked of but Mastiuo, Mastiiio'is
%vrougs, what we must do for Mastino
— till I .f«.Sr weary at the name!"
"You would not risk your «JI to glut
lus vengeance?' remarked the count.
*;Xone-the less his wife is your *!ster,
and a D'Este."
"So need /or the heroics he makes
over her, even so. Visconti will not
\u25a0 .
hurt her, yet -we must be hurried into
war for it, forsooth! "
"I owe Delia Scala my life." returned
Conrad airily. *1 should be the last to
apeak: «till. my wrongs .are as many
and as <i«ep. I love the Lady Valen
tine. I have lost my land and my jew
el*, my house and nervant*. yet I aju
<auite ready to settle In some other part
of Italy — aadl forget Visconti. Ido not
go about trying to entice other people
into my quarrelr." - 0 \u25a0 »
He sniffed at his orange as he spoke,
and breaking off the end of the myrtle
aluck it In bis belt.
Vinceozo's beautiful eyes flashed.
"Art thou a poltroon, then?" he cried
Et-ornfully. "Loved I a. lady and she
Tvere kept from me I would. not, rest
while a stone of the pala|e that lield
her remained one on the other."
Conrad raised his eyebrows, st&rtled
at the sudden change of front. .
-Then you should understand Mas
tino," he said.
*I hat* Mastino. He Is wearisome,"
cried Vfncenzo pettishly. "Still, I do
not love a laggard." y
. Conrad's reply was checked. Ippolito
'I'Este had arisen and was calling them
to • join him. Reluctantly they rose,
•Vinccnzo wlth-a^-ya-crn of distaite, and
approached the table.
ippolito frowced at Vlucenso'* face.
'Tou -would spend all your time in
idleness, it seems," he said. "Have you
no interest, then. In your decision as to
the aid Delia Scala asks?* .
Vincenzo droppad into ~ his seat,
seemingly rebuked. "Aid, my father?"
he said. "I knew not it \r*s aid Delia
s-cala asked: mcthought 'ttrss all!":
"My proposal is an army," s*ld Gla
*uano,' smoothly. "A small army.' J^et
us fee what success Delia. Scala ha«
with a smtll army. Our all Is' much to
ask."
•What say you to that?" asked Ippo
liio of his «on.'
"With all my heart," returned Vin
< enzo. "An army small or large, so
long as it rids us of his gloomy face
ebout court." /
"Thou art an insolent boy," inter
rupted his father; sternly. "At thy sis
ter's wedding thou wert proud that
Mastino della Scala stooped to pat thee
/>n the head.' s The ; duke of .Verona was
io nee as much greater;than we'are," Vin
iceuzo, than we are higher, than 7 a." foot-;
mm. It *oes nut -with' nobility nor
witu honor to slight the fallen.".
Vincenro blushed ' under hie : father's
rebuke and sat silent. But Giacomo,
always ready .to smooth things over,
turned to the duchess^ of Mantua.
"And you," he said, "you; lady, what
think you of trusting Delia Scala with
an array"',' /.•\u25a0-» .\u25a0
Julia Gonzaga smiled a little wearily.
"Wher« is he, to speak for himself?!'
she asked. , '
"We are waiting for .him," "Ippolito
replied. "He said he would be/\with
us. Ho is late." he added testily.
*\u25a0 "Doubtless the hour .'/ has f escaped
him," put in Giacomo pleasantly. '"The
duke of Verona will not- fail , us." .
"He will disappoint us— if he turns
up." seSd Yincenzo under his \u25a0fereath.
Bat. Conrad caught the whisper and
choked with a" suppressed laugh— -not
that the cemark was funny, but that
Count Schulembourg : was foolish. : Ip
pollto's stern eyes were turned on him.
J.'ls this a council of war?" he asked,
"or a gathering of— \u25a0'-*: /\u25a0" -
"A council of war." interposed Con
rad U&JtHy, *"Hh his most winning
smile. , . , . l
But D'Eete looked on him with mis
trust; he had no love for theMighi
hearted German. " • '> s *
Still Ms riinb came not, and Giacomo
moved . with a great show of patience
and forbearauce.'
" 'Ti» scarcely the way to treat with
us," he said." , ,
*"Ti« treatment good enough^ for
thoae who bear it,"' breathed •Vlnce'nzo,
and Conrad sniffed Itis ' orange. Ip
polltb's brow grew 'dark ; . he struck a
gocg beside him, and' a page appeared.
"Tell my lord of Verona we wait for
him." He turned to the others. "'Tis;
agreed," lie said quickly, "that we fur
nish Drfla Scala with a small army— to
he contributed between us."
Carrara moved iti silent assent; ; /ity
Julia Oonzaga's face a faint scorn
showed. ./ '.
A silence fell,: broken only by the
tapping of D'Este's fingers on the pol
ished table.
Then at the farther end of the cham
ber two pages drew apart the scarlet
curtains and JtastlnO ; della Scala-tsn-
tered. Conrad, glancing up, wondered
howeven for a moment he could have
mistaken him for aught . but what he.
was, so noble and stately was his bear
ing.
Conrad and the'D'Kstes moved. at his
entrance, but slightly, and kept their
eyes upon him as he . walked to - the
head'of the council, naturally and-un
questioned. So, rouch of the/ glory of
his former- greatness still remained to
him. - -\u25a0 -
"And are your councils ended?" ~he
asked. *I would hasten you, my lords.
Still further dolay and Visconti will be,
first in the field."' . \
He paused and took his seat in the
large black cliair, looking keenly at
their face*.
For a moment no one answered, then
Giacorao leaned forward with a depre
cating smite.
'\u25a0Jly lord of Verona." he said-smooth
. Jr, "you a«k'uK to venture everything—^
and give us five day* in which to de
cide — surely you arc not surprised our,
answer is not quite ready?"
Mastino della Scala bit Ms lip to
keep back an angry reply.
••Five hours were; enough in such a
case as this,. my lorri.'Vhe said quietly.
-Now D'Este tpoke^hastily. "We have
come to a resolutioiKtMastirio— one in
which we* all agree.",: And •he looked
questioningly around - upon -the others.
Xo one answered, /and.r taking silence
for consent, Ippolito continued:
"We will aid thee. Ma*tino. I and
Carrara, and the duchoss of Man
fixxr—"
He paused ~* little nervously, and
Giacomo kept his bright black eyes on
Mastino' s face.
"My lord of Ferrara says rightly," he
put In smoothly. "I will second him."
' Th« note of condescension in the
duke of. Padua's voice' stung Delia
Seal* sharply; it was only with an of
fort he <:ontiolltd himself.
"With what will you aid me?"' he
ask«d calmly.
Still D'Este hesitated, fur . bis -pro
posal was mean even in his own eyes,
but Giacorao answered for him in even
tones: "We will aid you with an army
or 10.000 men, Lord della Si-.ala. to be
recruited from Padua, -Mantua', and
Ferrara; well armed /vid — f~"
"Spare thyself a catalogue of' their
virtue, my lord of Padua,", he .said.
"For I refuse thy offer— one well
worthy of a Carrara!''
Giacomo paled with anger; his mer
chant descent was a sore point, and
31 cs lino's words struck home.
"Refuse;'.' exclaimed Ippolito. "Ten
thousand men!" Delia Scala glanced at
him with scorn.
"Ten- thousand men!" he echoed. "Tes,
I refuse ten thousand men. I thought
thou once loved me; D'Este. and wert
too much of a soldier to dishonor. me
by such a proposal."
"We can make it more — " began Ip
polito.
"Dost thou not , think ' I can. see
through this?" interrupted Mastino-bit
•terly. "This : off er Is but given ?to/ get
rid of me— a safer way of ' dismissing
me from the. court' that once cringed to
entertain me than a plain refusal.'Ten
thousand men! I thought better of thee,
D'Este." .... "
"Then '- s fifty . thousand.'V replied • Ip
polito, stung by ; the reproach. . .
"A ,rbyal , number," « put rln Conrad,
but Delia Scala turned on, them in fury.
he crled.'','2vot fifty.; n,or;a hun
dred thousand men, to-make sportifor
Vltconti's leisure hours— Visconti who
- holds nine, towns of: mine alone, Vis
conti .\u25a0who is leUgued : withiFranc* ? and
has the empire at his^heels.\ Visconti
who has . gained . Bergamo,- JJodi, and
Bologna and has half • the<mercenaries
of Italy in his pay!, Xo.? D'Este, I huve
been- too great for .that. 'Since you so
forget .what I have /been;' and -.who; my
wife : is — I will" leave, thee, nor trouble
thy peace for men; thou canst; not give
ungrudgingly. And v thou.: Carrara; I
will leave thee— in thy : blind . folly, \u25a0 to
trait for Vlscontl's eye to fall ;\u25a0 on: thee;
all thy prudence - will" riot "save ." the©
then. .Meanwhile, I , will:, try Tin the
towns ofTuscany if; there be men left
in Italy to face a tyrant!" "A .'•'..- '.^
' They r sat silent beneath his- wrath,
and Ihe turned' to ; go, ; but paused .and
looked back to: them with' a . slanco
th«y : could not meet. \u25a0 - .
-\u25a0c "Only hear this before I-go." he said
passionately;; "there; is. one: thins.- thy
falnt-h*»rtednc.«s .shall; not" touch.'; one
thing: I :,will! achieve without; thy aid.
though thy - meanness - leaves ' me, : and
that' ls, at *ny cost, tbe\f reedom"— his
voice " trembled-r-"of ; lsbtta," my/.wife.' * ; I
will f ree^ her,'* :-\u25a0 he :; continued sternly.
; "Before you al^l . mean \u25a0 it ; : she shall % be
saved,-, even If' mine hodor ; goes to 'do
it. 1 ;- -":\u25a0:;•\u25a0 ; ; <\u25a0:,':-"/ \u25a0 -.' , \u25a0; \u25a0\u25a0 . •''\u25a0';:£
And he turned away.but Count Con
rad rose, roused out of -himself »by the
excitement Mastino': had inspired. \i \u25a0"\u25a0
I"I will follow thee," he cried.; ;
"What wouldst^ thou! have,? Mastino'.'"
. cried , lppollto t after ":"' him. \u25a0'\u25a0' half-dis
trt-ught;\u25a0""Whatlwouldst thou have?;'
v , Delia Scala ' turned , in I the i middle j; of
the^chember,' magnificent:ln:hls;wrath
and pain. '"All," he said proudlyr j rAH
thou canst give," ; and^ above" all, thy
.trust.; l* am : no boy to_ be' put^off s with? a
• few^sbldlerSv I. need Modena,":FeYrara;
Padua." every. town of_Lombard>% that i is
-^lii* thy ;*hands; f , aH> tbyj money., all^thy,
. troops:, everything -, thou .canst give—
and then I will crush the : Viscoriti.'
When I , fell it was: through'\ most, foul;
treachery. -.,1 will;league witli no : half-
hearted-friends again.'' - " ; :
And again he turned to leave;.Con.rHd
at his heele. ; when ,a:.soft' ; voice ar
rested him;" Julia. Gonaaga's.;;, '
;"I; "I have/this to cay befoM;thourleay-I
est us. Delia rScala,'*f: she -s said. rvVAir^l;
have, , Mantua sind its - lands,* are ; at Ithy:
disposal/and ~l< amtproud .so; greatla
captain as my <lord .of .1 Verona:- should:
command my mcii." • ; ' '\u25a0-'. ; ;/:/.. - ;>
j Mastino turned, . his eyes -/sparkling
'.with*joy.'V . :. r .," - - -r.ii. \u25a0':;:.\u25a0-;
"My .greatest thanks for ? thy % %\i t, .
1 ady,'.' he said, ''and 'still more i for the :
gracious manner [ol\ thy gi vin g." .: ; : And '
before he could say more'Vlncenso rose ,
impulsively. \u25a0 / ."/ ,«-; ?." /. '\u25a0\u25a0 ,w ;: ; ;':; ':
' "Shall we: be outdone -by/ a (woman!"
he cried, his .; beautiful ', face .flushed; \ '"lt
goes not without --honor, • father, %c
should leave Mantua to fight Visconti!"
- Ippolito ,was*no : less» roused. ""'/
. He: stepped toward Mastino :and held ,
out his hand. :..\u25a0::. '•\u25a0..'',-•/.,„./'-;;
"I ask thy pardon for, too much wari
ness," he said with a faint smile. "I*
am as proud now. as over of , my relation";)";
ship to thee, and. evers ; thing within my
hands ,is thine toCuee ras thou, wilt :
against Viseonti.". : Mastino sraspcl his ;
. hand convulsively V" ° ; ; "• \u25a0-'\u25a0 V "
"Thou shalt ; ; not' repent it," he said,;
his generous soul;. melted at' '\u25a0: once.'
! "While I live thou ; shal t not : repent.'.';
Meanwhile Giacomo Carrara's prudent
brain had rapidly concluded "f it "would i
be. most; to his advantage, at" le»stlfor. ; :
..the moment, to- side ;openly. with';Della-
Scala, even In -this: wholesale, fashion. :
"I, too. am'of.the, same;. mind," lift
said pleasantly and frankly. • "AUj'l ;•
have is thine, Delia "Scala."- / .' -
','Then in a -few days I^will inarcJj *
on Verona!" cried Mastino, ."and\wlth
thy ' generous .aid ' I Jshall :, recover it !
My heart is too i f ull.; ! I cannot ispeak:.
my. thankn," he continued, ;Vbqt by my.
honor and -my Vsword r I 'swcai-/ thou%
D'Este, thou ; Carrara,* and ;»tho'u-'r lady,"
shall' never :rcgretl; thy trust in" me." \u25a0\u25a0':\u25a0- \u25a0
. CHAPTER ,TWEL V X
Gratloan's \u25a0• Lorep •
IXr the courtyard of; t!ie 7 painter;
Agnolo's house in '/Milan j. tho •' sun
shine fell strong and golden,,spark
ling on the fountain that rose ' in
-the center from r lts" rough'stone -basin
and "throwing the waxen \u25a0\u25a0 blossoms; of i
the chestnut . into brilliant relief
against the sapphire ; *ky. .
The courtyard was of stone. Arouncl*.
three sides van the wall, one with; its
door into the. street; opposite . was. a^
large garden, entered" by,. an- archway, .
the wicket. iii: which stood : always^ajar.;
" The fourth side of. the quaarangle^wag'
formed by.. tlie dwelling/ h"ous*:s which-',
stood with. its back to the" ivied wall*..;
itself a long, low building, the upper
half of which.' jutting' above the .lower,.;
was supportea on ; p:llars of : carved'
stone. . - .\u25a0\u25a0..- .\u25a0'.\u25a0}\u25a0/'\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0... ~{.r,;-\^4>
Around tlnv bottom wall 'ran ia wide ,
border of plant»i:somf>;climbing,other3 .
heavy with brilliant-blossoms, trailing
•"along the- ground, and In • the ' cool. .blue \
shadows •; in '; the £ recess -f ormed. V; by the :
projecting story were large pots : of =
spreading ferns, vivid- green,^mingled]
with the .spikes .'of -C bright ' scax-Jet-:
.flowers.'.-"; .\u25a0\u25a0-, ;"\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0';•'\u25a0';.\u25a0 '- fv- ; --. -\u25a0' ; -.:. \u25a0
Tho baein. of ths; fountain ;In^the
center, was velvet grcen\ with moss; and
' over the limpidS .water lnhere 'i spread
the flat leaves ;of iwater •\u25a0; lilies, i Above
the wall rose the sweet smellinschest-,"
nuts, spreading \u25a0 their.;,fsmlike^foliage
fand-ienowy- blossome,,. tier .:••> upon*- tier,',
"against .the '.brilliant'- akjv and through*
the r low - arch.Vf trelllsed^vwith " roses, \u25a0
• the v garden stretched, i'ai "^ bewildering .
mass . of ; color, white,*' mauve,- yellow;
pink, blue: and: red. Into ;the;.soft;disi:
tance, a. . swaying :*" mass . off trees. , It'
was latol afternoon, , : and '- the " shadows?:
were ; lengthening,; as > out ;of;thQ,,house, c
, thp floor, of which > stood: ope'nr cam© -. the \
'.:\u25a0 little,-: pain ter;, ••; - Tie * stepped -into th«
.'sunshine.: mopping his face ' and Cßhuk-*
Ing his clothes;; : ; ."• ; ' „ .. •
; From - head ; to^f bdt 'he was '(a-\ mass 'of
green slimc.Jiis doublet torn?; his hands
scratched.! his fucej; hot' and p«r»pirijtg. \u25a0
After; a ; fen* vain J attempts .- to< remove \u25a0'
- the dirt ; - that ; clurig| to T hinuhe ? looked :
: around;: with iajruef ulfcountenariee.^. \u25a0;:-•:
, ; rGrailosai"^he[ealled/K"Graziosa!" \u25a0"[\u25a0 .-;
Th« :. 1 attlce^of ; an lupper lwln do w'Awas •.
\u25a0'throwui v open;ahd Graziosa- looked out.'. .\u25a0:
' , At s i ght ' of . her ! father^ she < laughed. :
"Hast thou been : down ; thy patßage -
again, father?" she called from tha wln
/dovr..-. -\u25a0"\u25a0'.':;' ;'\u25a0':;-; ~il^:. ! r'-tt'\/^~~^''^^ < ~'j \u25a0 :>
. ./Agnolo made ajivry.face good humor
1 - edly. ; . .-I."; have,*;.' he " returned:; "and
fell into' a"p<snd;atithe[other;end."' y •
"The other end!" 1 echoed j-hls Vdaugl'i-V
ter. : "Then y you^ gbty through?": ./ .' :„
?.; Vistarnini t rubbed ?his; damaged I hands
together/ with "Ay e/ /he -
. said, with I ;' a i smile.:. '•after^-tVaringVuiy
? clothes;;?; nghting^bilers.Cstepplngi "on /
, toads,/ stifling v.withfdustVand ; pitching v
ron myfacelin'tthe'darkM-^^;" V .<- . ..:'- - ;
"reUMntb.a^pondr^UaugheorGrazJo.su; 5 ;.
"Got to\ the /other/fend."! cried -.the lit
"tlei painter^ ;,rGot;,tbttheA ; other/"cnd:^
' Graziosa 1 disappeared % from ; the • window;
-and came,running.ihto. : the:courtyard,'7a"-
:: - -.-/. \u25a0/. -. •;"•
"Gotlto^thesbtheflend,'.' •\u25a0\u25a0/repeated .Vis
" tarnini 5 breathlessly" ;:\"Ay»oblo*under-"i:
ground passage, iGrazibsa, 1 ! that*. isj what ;
we .havf^disco vered.s'large/, enough /; to
':{\u25a0 adnii t (an array,? if f need s , were, fan d with;
a - ;r cohcealedytfopehlng.'yileading -; out
a; caye]to]thelmid6t^bf-^—': : ;
.r. '•'.'!'.C pohd,V/"suggeitedt Graziosa with a "
"glance 'atniis^garhients/./::.'^":/-/ 7 / :-, \u25a0
: v "A^wood^— the- pond VsvasjaVuiere ; ac
cessory; ' a ? wood, J some * two" miles : be
/yond'theltowh."/'/..'-:^^;:"/;".- '. : .* -:/r. V. ;:\u25a0 '
'\u25a0' :/ "Then/slncejthisitlid\isjreacl)ed-from '•;
our/house,ywjc>^are ithelbnlyfoneslwhoS
; can ; gain ? accc"ss Üb"; U?'i. f aaid ; Grasiosal -\u25a0''-\u25a0
McLURE PHILLIPS & CO
,C "Wo .;are," : returne|d . the painter
proudly..: "And- Graziosa; we; will re-,
main so.'* 7, . - •.;". ' ." "-".'\u25a0."\u25a0\u25a0.\u25a0 ' '.' -.;\u25a0" •:'!
: "Thou : meanat; .thou wilt tell no one?'.'
asked \ his "daughter. • -: '. \u25a0'_
"So", iti will very- useful. I fcate
to be j. f oreverj passing, the j gate, giving
accounts of; myself Jtofovery- saucy^sol-:
dier.' j In ; time : of "need,^should - tliete^ be
a war,-' then perchance 'we -' can speak
of " i t." : ;.*.-.- :>, \u25a0...." - ".;\u25a0; .- : .
>"l: think iwt shouM ; speak of it now,"
said Graziosa:; thoughtfully. \-"V\ think
we i should; tell the. duke." • ;.
'.'Tell/ the * weathercock!" A said : vVis
tarnin!." thee lit^wllltbe": useful;
the*, tolls -'nearly ru{n me-~-and now I can,
bring,, everything ;C; C buy >"\u25a0 outside in'
through";the secret pas«ase.''£7 ; ; :.'
"'TH scarce honest," father."
'-\u25a0': Agnolo laughed^ • : :
\u25a0 ~-i?.l dUcbvered lt,"-lie said. "Xo one
knew of H, and the duke can well »pare
ray,-.tollß."c;''' \u0084'\u25a0\u25a0' ;o^':*:*i-:'; \u25a0\u25a0'' '-'\u25a0" * '\u25a0\u25a0..\u25a0\u25a0' *,'
: V'Me«.nwhlle change. thy dress, father."
laughed': Graalosa," ;.^'«.nd *'. thou ? alwa"ys
do»t as ; thou , think«i&;. v I have no; more
to : say.V'" .'\u25a0•\u25a0( Kv';' ; '" \u25a0"-\u25a0 -\u25a0.';\u25a0 :-'/.'"' '- • '.'\u25a0•. •\u25a0\u25a0' .
vThen, at Vtstarnint moved toward the
libuse, ; - his ; daughter.' called after him
softly:' \u25a0"\u25a0>" 7 --' '\u25a0\u25a0•\u25a0• ;^v^'..;. ;' ."\u25a0;;,. y •-\u25a0?\u25a0; -':•
"I may tall ; Ambrbglo,v father?" v
"Thou mayat ?do mo j such 1 thing.", re
turned Agnolo. ; "His conscience -would
prick; ; ;hlm—hdl -i» overgrave iand
honest-^— -". \u25a0': '\u25a0:-'''- '\u25a0 \u25a0.- ..-" ; '--- \u25a0' •\u25a0"\u25a0"».L>: J
; '."He -is not," ; aald \ Grasloaa . Indignant
ly. "I ; inean-ih« \ would . not . tell— I ; am \u25a0\u25a0
sure i'he> will; not: tell r; :s : ; ' -
v"And;>so-- amrl— for he .will ;: never,
know,'.* said - Agnoio, ; -with a-.«mHe. 1 ,
"NowUhy ' promise* Grajsloear that ithou
telleat'nQ one^hoti'ovenUhyvpreclous
Ambrogio— and the first.t hing I gmug
arle through shall- be" a, new. silk; sown
for'thee!" ~ -^ ::"-\u25a0 \u25a0\u25a0''.-: : " - '\u25a0'\u25a0 >--..-\u25a0
.JGraxlosavlaufhedfand seated' herself
on this edge 'of; the basin. • . \u25a0 -'-'«3^ES^«
"I promlse,7j«hei called,- 7 "But-asifor.
the.; gown,': thbut'couldst have - : brought'
me.thatiin'any^case." \u25a0 . .*' : -/s§^s§£Bsm
--Vistarnini turned "into th« house and
slleneo againv fell -on jithe.. sunny court
yard^ '', " \u25a0:\u25a0' \u25a0jf-':"-i' S : '\u25a0-":/'\u25a0 *: -'*:' :; '. ',-" \u25a0'' ;' \u25a0
:,Graiioaa looked musingly, at the gate;;
theivdown''at'her|bare>rm'an<l!sighed. r .
.' Two JpetVdoveaf whlrled?down| from;
the s ''chestnuts i and? strutted? across- the
courtyard^witb/a'show. or white tails.
V Graziosa * : ,them'"<J suddenly : in
the" midst Vof iher'* dreaming,^ and was
rising- to get- their iovening: meal iwhen
the little painter, clean and 1 reclothed.
bustled .'but of- the house, carrying;; a
flat dish. _ ' ', - - \u25a0'":\u25a0 .'f ' ',':, ' :
•'Here, is>thy^food." he icried to- the
birds. : .."Are :ye. hungry.": Uttlp; ones?" ..''
t; ? Arid-lie threw. the .grainr in a'golden
shower.';- .'.:'.'' : v ", : ."..:-••\u25a0\u25a0". : :: ;";:;- ; : ; \u25a0'\u25a0'---':'+'.'.
T.. "Ambrogio '>is^,n<Jti here to see '* thee '.
feedU: today." She s>;; continued^ t^what^
makes*?himilatcivGfazio»a?;'' ..,;.;.\u25a0;>
" ; . '.'The ,; way J ia .': long*", she ; ;. returned;
"from :?.the convent :.. _wh?r* : ; he 1- works,":
father^ and c the monk's i' grudge him any
time ;awayj from: the :altarpiece. f ;> .' ;
Wi'And:thejbracelet"'^said ; Agnolo.""He
y o wed - thou \u25a0: shoulds t \ have 1. it > back.'.' :
"vVl^.wish»heshadlnot,"isaldJthefsirl'in
distress, j "He f will; do rsomethingj rash,"
1 fear me. \ How :' cany he * get : it ;. back
fromUheVVlscbntlipalace?*:; v ;-";';,;
. v "He ; : .w6n't f get*: It ;back,"i said jthe '.;lit '-.,
tie* painter^ cheerfully. : ""Even;'a)l6ver
would* not ibeTQultefso; mad . r as;to!beard
the'.visc6nti;fW.a-.toy." .. ' '. '
; "Yet h e : sworeilj should ] have it agaiii.i
it>~was«raslfi"of *me uto|tell ; him j how f I ;
lostlit,"irepHediGraziosa:*; ; i ; r ;^ \u25a0 " ;•;
have I thought I thouj
hadstTglvenlit^to-theJstonecutter|next:
'door,Ta'^dUb.ereXvroaldi'aavelbeeu'vhishi
MWlMnffi'ffaTifnTifffi 1 iMiHiimiJff— \u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0wmwimiii
\u25a0words, flashing eyes-. ..- 'Ha— ha— come
out- and/bo;slain. Thou _>'arlet! Skulk
; ing'.dog, ;tjiou licst'* then swords out,'
and thou "lying in a faint — or bewailing
the "day. of thy birth. After that, thun
der and v lightning— gore— the brawlers,
\u25a0 driven;- into ."'.the . street— the' soldiers
corned upland off wo^go'.to- prison .for ,
,'disturblri?:* the ;, with"; our. frays."
"You . jost : : too "much, father," said ':
' Gr&zlosa.l "It may lie: serious if.Ambro-
.gioltrvf to recover, thecbracelet." ; t .
i^Bufa light. knock on; the outer door
.interrupted her, and, with'a. heightened;
-color; she -rosp..":, .-. . \u25a0 -
i- *' T "tt Jio ; he, father,". »he whispered. "I
iknew.iie wouldrnot;fall us.":-^.
;; Agnolo*-, hurried forward; and drew
: back ; th« ibolts,: and ; truly, enough Am«
jbVogkv entered. \ '."\u25a0. '\u25a0".\u25a0\u25a0•", ' :. . -
rjSGra2ibsa's : lover 4was of medium
iheightriaj slight, man. with beautiful -
gray;-; eyes. ..: Hia "attire .was ' the plain'
, garb (of i a .student. 'Today; his 'right.
; hand .was changing : in: a sling, - while :.in
theiotherho carried 'a' roll : of ; drawings.' \u25a0
-'."-"Still ;aliye Y'g said "Agnolo i pleasantly.";
"Graulosa: was \u25a0 fearing: thou hadst spit- S
•;t<»tl ; thyßelf *-on^Visconti 1 * jswofd "tin : the"
vecoyery of her bracelet.'v^^^^^^^^
• Ambrogio : took*. little heed ;of "the
; painter,' but; closing, the 'door eoftly.'be
i-hind; him 'turned with 'a- tender- glancV
%.;i' 4 ' v "V"V : ..;; 7-"-; • ;: - 1 :
Vs>' "Wert ;|thou : for me?" he.
saidjgently.'; J-'I Wnv safe/ my, ! beautiful,
; 'and * see," I ; have . kept [ my.word." " ; '
;.-As he;spokch©'(Jrew outthe emerald
bracalct) from -his;. robe and .handed;it
\wjthi a" smile :to the' prlrl 'who stood
jrthere.i .blushing ..with. pleasure- and;asV
fjtonishment.; - . *:v , > y' .
X f : "Thou V hast ; got i t \u25a0: back."' ' she cried; •
}"ti'om'i the palace.'.' .
\ r 'Ambrogio ; smoothed her hair,-.
;tenderly.v- "'/" '/ -\u0084 . -- -'.•';,-'.. r
"The -was .thine." _ he said.
f "therefore f. l^.went^f there. "for /Tit,- and.:.
Jjave > brought It - back, to thee, even
from .the VißConti palace." - ;_ f,
, Agnolo was btarins; at ; him in amaze-"
'i merit." ; '. : , ;. . -i.-^^igSB^CTMS
"How dldntthou do it?" lie exclaimed.
touched. his bandaged; arm
; with;a r ßniile.' . : V '^^P^^^^^^e ISSBh
;' "With ;only-;a;Bmall* injury," he": said,
i-Vsince^'tis'riot the hand I paint \u25a0with.'"
. "And \u25a0'\u25a0\u25a0': now Graziosa '\u25a0? broke '": out ;. with "
passionate exclamations of .pity for -his 1
:» wound, v or fadmiration for/ hi 3 cotirafce,.
the {injured hand with"ca-\
trnsaee.'; \u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0'_\u25a0: \u25a0'^\u25a0 r^:".c"'^' ;: :':,:\u25a0\u25a0 ;'.• '. " \ •\u25a0\u25a0
';*v,"Thoujhast': recovered \u25a0[it^by force?"
\u25a0asked:" Agnolo ;agaln,^ incredulous. : . k '':'
<.*•'\u25a0 "Call it ? b>v force or,' what \u25a0 thou Xwilt."
"returned 'l Ambrogio. •,V'There) i isino»need -
-.; to {speak \u25a0:. ot lit I more,/' x 1 1"; is i you \
j'areMnjJ no Manger. '.*r Xo-r. 6ne\will;f olio xvv
jme' i hefe\fo'regainnt."^.: ." ~. % /
i^GrazlosaJklssed {her: recovered trcas- '{
- urc:and|claspedtit .onLher/arm'again.
h ij "lishalirrievelrTdare^to wear; it .saver
J.withinHhes/SiWalls.'^. shefsaid.'
;*;:^Ambrogipltookjher'hand'in hia and
led toward the house.: *-»^^^
- "Do -a not . * fear. -; sweet," ho returned,
ilooktns v down'-|at; her * with a smil*'. "•'
." Wear ;i i t - where \ and '• '. how ," thou T=; wilt:"*-;
• .Tisloj-^Visconti : %will~ not-'aniiuy 'thed
\moT6."':'/ r :-.'--'".i'::i'\.':: ~ y ". '\ ... \u25a0'":'\u25a0' \u25a0'•>\u25a0•'-' •; \u25a0 \u25a0
\u25a0''• \u25a0\u25a0': The ; girl '; glanced, up,^startled ; by the
of hisUnanner.:;:-"
\u25a0j^Ambrogio^ noticing^the iquestiuning
olook, Uurncd It/asiiie with a pleasant
;UaUgh,' -" I" "\ * ': : "'
! . V"ThefdukQ ) is " tired -of :hfs whims^antl
Ms| putting! him^underi a Swatch.'.' \u25a0*"
? he' said. : V'Fromriov\',6n ihe~OTiir not often
: .:';.;'' ;"."\u25a0/.„'; ''.
vi.am sorry .for,,him.',',;'said iGraziosa
impuUiyely. ;.*.I : r am,yery sorry" forJhim. 1:
•-They;« were "at; the': house :-'doo'rV .and
The .San -Francisco Sunday Call.
Marjorie Bowen
Agnqlorstepping ahead in the dark en
trance,: led the way up a flight of shal
low, wooden stairs. • ,
."This -is 'stirring news, Ambrogio.
viift'callcd: over his shoulder. "About the
. duke . of Verona's Yescape, I mean. Do
you;think there will be war?"
- "I -arii'a nian of peace,' 1 S returned Am
lirogio softly, his eyes on Graziosa.
"Hov/- should I- know? .-.Still, I do* not
think Delia 'Scala- will trouble the peace
of Milan: much." .'; -:1 " . ; ,*
. And thowv Agnolo. at the top; of the
flight' of stairs, was' holding open a
Avide door, through- which they passed
into . Agriolo's workshop,' filletl .with tho
pleasant litter of his occupation. "I do
not agree Avith thee," he said.: "Delia
Scala's is a great name. Were I Vis
conti,! shouM not feel secure."
/Graziosa and: Ambrogio entered the
loifg.' room, high and light. Its windows
opening wide on the street. , . . :
-, And Ambrogio seated "himself near
one oflthe larse easels, turned to Ag
nolo-: the while he (drew; Graziosa gen
tly down beside him;
''\u25a0-."What has, the duke of Milan to fear
from, Della Scala?" he asked.
'' "Everything!" cried Vistarnini excit
edly,'fforr r keenly -did the Uttle painter
love to air his views." "Everything.
Mark, -me, Ambrogio, If tho duke of;
.Veroha'db not suddenly fall on one of
.Visconti's towns." --f? :
"He hasno.anny." said the student.
\ "II« ; cannot rouse the I>'i;»tep."
"He will!" cried Agnolo. ,"He will —
he and Count Conrad. Didst thou. not
rejoice," Ambrogio, when Count Conrad
escaped? "We heard of it from the sol*
tliers. Graziosa was glad at heart, as
(.\u25a0very ; uiar. or, woman or child must be.
'.Such a fate!. Didst thou not rejoice he
h a. d escaped it?" ;
\u25a0Ansbrogio '.was mixing colors in- a
china saucer, and tapped his foot a lit
tle impatienUyVflßJl
""Why,, sliould w« talk of Delia
tjcala— and Visconti?" he said.
-. "Viscor.ti! who- wishes to talk of
him?" returned the little painter.
"Tnlcs* liaveVcomc -to me about him,
too terrible to 'repeat before our Gra
ziosa,", he added,' : - lowering his voice.
' "You sosslp^ tool tnuch \u25a0with the sol
diers, father," said Graziosa. "1 do not
lovc7the*l»Qldlers, nor should you listen
to their tales ; about Visconti."
' i"They wouM ;seem to tell them a lit
tle, too : freely." murmured : her lover,
anO 'drew his brows together.
""What-' dost \ thou; mean.' .GraziosaT'
crierl her? father." j'as : if It were only
\u25a0frotn the,; soldiers we liear_of»Ui.e dukfv
Lately, some fine tales 'have' got about,
and on no soldier's authority."
-XVShall;- we , not set. : to "work on the
pictures?'', interrupted Ambrogio. /'You
said, methinks, these tales . were not
for Graziosa'a ears."
"Indeed, 1 , 'tis, true," anil the little
pain ter hustled iol the second. easel and
drew the curtafn \u25a0 that hung,- before the
large; panel." revealing an 'almost com
pleted picture of St. Catherine in %cariet
- robes.'l^^^tnjriß^QßSSPßH^t
\u25a0 . :"Thy .work ; looks well, Ambrogio,**
he said;, and^ retfjoving; a* similar;cover
ing'from the easel by ,which Ambrogio
sat,^ gazed at the. companion; panel on
which was depicted the archfingel
Michael.* : "Cut .mine" is better," he
added, "as it •;should*b'e— thy work will
Improve : with : thy^ years."
"'Tis as fine work as thy St. Michael,
father,"' said' Graziosa, "and a goo-1
likeness." .
, . "Xay,"";nyt so fair by, half ' as • thow
: art,". I ; murmured Ambrogio. . \u25a0•"Thou^ art
;riot.easy to copy,' Graziosa.'* _ j- *"* v
• "-Agnolo .was studying his picture in
tently: ;.;-; -'; \u25a0' " ;
"'Twas an idle* fancy •to take i thee
as : my model for \u25a0 St. Michael." he said
a'length. ; ','Thou l dost v not inspire me
asSt.' Michael, Ambrogio." -
."Asiwhat:then?" Jisked his daughter,
smiling; at';he"r", father's caiTicstnees.
Agnolo' laughed.
\u25a0 ; *:; .\u25a0'As : ;rio'salnt;at:all.".he'sai«"l. "H« is
like nothing but the wicked youngjman
reclaimed Inthe legctnl of : 'St. Francis,
\u25a0 and > not \u25a0 vc ry. , reclaimed \ either!"- - ; r-. ' (
'.;-• Graziosa. smiled '\u25a0-\u25a0 still more. but". Aim
.broKio^faintly nu«htd" and; bit. his : lips.
"Thou. Art iwolcorae to paint : rac:in
that character another . time," 1 he *\u25a0 said.
'"Meanwhile." I will work on my St.
'Cathefljjc's robr." _
, And he seated himself on: a low:stool
befo^ro-the easel, \u25a0: Graziosa' placing hcr
self^on.the'lloor.at his:feet. \V /
-Agnolo s.rutinlzptl /the St. Michael
: once ; more.! but; : finally tire v.%- the curtain
attain aloris' the. ro'l." s for h!s»; day's work
.was uve.rv'-^ettllns. himself ? in the win
dow seat; for ; a .M'hilo he contentedly
watched . tlic "other, two ; but .not ; fo r . long
Jcouldithe llulelpaintoivkeepihls ,tongu<v
s till. . and : Anibrogio's '.were a ; fine
\u25a0 opportunUyxf or ; voluble '.talk, j for the
man'; lived) in Como.\and .was he
not I now shut ;up in the-^conventfof St."
Joseph., five miles' away, ' painting an
altar 'piece for • avaricious Jmonks "who
grudged . him even r these, occasional
vislts;into Milan? AVhat'could he know
of the "city's news? "'
; "We -had j a fine , proeesslon "this
morning.'- Ambrose," :he Isald. "The
Uukc x»f "Orleans' - retinue went:- by,"
a say sight. TVe hoped to sco
the duke ride out to meet him.
but my lord Gian Visconti keeps him
self close. For all we live so near the
prate, I have never ne«n him. or only
in his- helmet^and yet 'tis sal«l h» ear*»»
.a good -deal for 'sculpture 'and for
painting, and -will make a tine thtnc of
this grand new church he's building:. I
would love to see what a. tyrant and a
painter, both may look like."
'\u25a0•\u25a0\u25a0_. Ambrosllo. bendlns over his paint
ing, returned: no answer; but that raa«l<»
small. difference to. the talkative little
nj^n. who continued:
>"Ke came "not, however, so we con
tented^ ourselves with the French,
prince, .who is to marry the Lady Val
entine. Graziosa did n,ot care for him;
I thought him, well looking enough." .
* "Hia air^was not a gay une. and he
-foolish.'* said Graziosa; "ami
'since he is not marrying for love, I
am sorry for. the Lady Valentine." '
./"Thou are always sorrowing for
some one." said her father. "A princess
never marries for love."
;,.' ''Then I am glad I am no princess."
smiled Graziosa, looking up at her be
trothed. . •
Ambrogio raised her hand to bis lips
and kissed it in silence.
•11 Agnolo - continued his recitals, re^
freshins^himself every now and asrain
with nenewed glances from tho window.
"A splendid view wo have here, onl>*
some processions are not so pleasant
as. the one that passed today. Them
\u25a0was ono in particular— some •week:'!
ago— we. stayed in the back of th«
house that-day. * The old Visconti rode
to Brescia, the soldiers said, his son be
hind him! Ab. for that day's work the
duke Is a lost soul. Ambrogio." .
There was a silence after this; th<*
painter kept his eyes onUlte- darkening'
sky.
. Ambrogio dvoppett his brush and rose
with a pale face.
"I can paint no more," he said. "I
am weary."
His daughter's lover sometimes puz
zled him. -*H:s history, as he had told
it to them, was a very plain one, hist
career straightforward, but Ambrogio'a
manner strangely varied: sometimrs
authoritative,; strangely cola and
haughty for a poor painter; .strident,
sometimes curious and overawing. But
_to Grayiosa he was always tender, and
shf- saw nothing now but his pale fare.
"No wonder thou art weary."' she
•aid tenderly. "'Tis a Ions: way from
.St. Joseph. ; thy hand puins thee. anil
. thou hast had no food."
Arabrogio stooped and kissed her
upon her upturned face. -'
"And I cannot stay for it even to take
it from thy hands." he said with v sigh.
"I," meant not to stay at all. and oniy
camo.to give t'flee thy bracelet, sweet:
but soon, soon tho altarplece will be
flnishcil. and I come never to return."
"Finished." murmurctl the girl, her
head. against his arm. "When?"
\"By midsummer. ;Grazio3a. Is the
tifne so long to thee. too?"
"I" am so happy. Ambrosio. it does
not seem possible I could be happier:
still, I think I shall be when thy altar
piece is tlniahed."
Ambfogip looked at his painting
-lonsinsly. \
. "If: I could only stay."' he said, and
kissed her again. -
"Surely It is still early, even for S:.
jQ3eph?" said Agnolo." ' >
Ambrogrio glanced out into the dusky
s>treet.;. where several gayly attired
horsemen were riding.
"The prior begged nay early return."
he : said: "And so farewell, my father,
":for;a;little while/ farewell!"
"Well, if it must be, it must," sa»«t
Vistarnini cheerfully, "thou .wilt
never fail for lack .of industry.
Still, Graziosa; even if thy lover jroeV.
there is something left to amuse
us. This evening the nobles ride in to
attend the feaat Visconti giv»s tonight
to the French duke. 'Twill be a, noblo
feast, yet I doubt if the Lady Valen
tine be as happy as thou art. Gra
ziosa." -
But his daughter returned no an
swer.' for she . , was not there, but at
the top of the dark stairway: she wits
saying farewell to her betrothed; and
when Agnolo turned from the \u25a0window
she was leaning on his arm across the
courtyard, for a last word at the gate.
"Wh"n comesft thou again?" she,
whispered.
"Thy father jeors me for my Indus
try, yet heax-tn knows what it costs
me to leave thee. sweet. In two days'
time Tw ill again be with thce."
They were at the door, but still hs
lingered, gazing on her gentle face.
"Farewell," ho said at last, with a
amile. "For two days, my beautiful
Grazloaa." He tuok her face between
his, hands and kissed her. \u25a0>
"Farewell," she smiled, ana with &
sudden effort he was gone.
But once well clear of the house
Graziosa's lover paused as if unde
cided, then drew his hood and wrapped
himself closely In nls manti* and
walked rapidly Into the city, keeping
close to the wall. After some time he
-drew the bandage from his band and
flung it aside.
\u25ba His left hand wa3 as whole as his
right.
Again he walked on rapidly, until at
the corner of a quiet street a, man
with, bent shoulders and dressed In
black stepped from the shadow of 'a
building.
~ It was Gianuotto.
"Xews. Giannotto?" Asked Grazlosa's
lov*r in a whisper. »
"I am "waiting^ for yoirr my lord, to
tell you they are growing impatient.
Your, absence is causing surprise."
Twohorseman passed, and Ambrogio
.drew his mantle closer, around him.
"No ope has seen thee waitins here?"
he asked.
"•"Xo, my lord. I am too carefuL"
" 'TU well.'.* said the other.' "Lead
on townrd the palace, Giannotto. I will
follow."
(To Be Continued.)
i • ...
New Tule Collars
NEW boas for the spring seem all tn
be of net or some diaphanous ma
terial," very little being seen
among -the new importations of either
the feather or silk boas. Very stunning
are the boas of net with square or ob
long satin dots. The satin dots are so
stunning that they positively scintl!
lat?, and one might think at first
.srlance that they^ were mad* of some
metallic substance. The collars are all
short, merely encircling the" neck. In
stead ot _ long ends of the net or chif
fon, "the Vndsarr. all of velvet or satin
ribbon. The collars "are wider In thu
back than In front, being made of thr*»«j
orifour flounces of the material gratlu-
Htinar/.towyjird -points 'in .th« front. The
embroidered nets, dotted nets ami chif
fons are finding v rival in the embroUl
ered*;and; figured tulles., which. ;wh*m
used , for; making these collars, have a
fragilitj; alike allurins: .knU extrava
gant.: Collars '"< in pale yellow or In whits
mado of these diaphanous things ami
having long ends of black velvet are
extremely attractive. Another ; new
fashion shows the net of which . the
collar Is made in white with
black bands,. these not being added" but
a* part of the design of the net. AVheit
the dots are .white on a colored ground
the effect [of thes« collars . Is even nior c
vivid than when the .tulle '_ Is of tha
sanie color throughout