Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine — page 176: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

518 ARGOSY AND RAILROAD MAN’S MAGAZINE, “Holy Father,” said Peter, grinding his teeth; “ be merciful to me. Bid those hired dogs loose their hands from the arms of my lady, or I shall not answer for myself even in thy presence.” “Think of your safety, Holy Father,” whispered Sanseverino. ‘““T fear me,” said Leo, “ that I think too much upon it. Loose her arms, fellows. Now speak to me and speak verity,” “T knew,” said Sonia in a faint voice, “that he worked upon the statue of the Lady Beatrice della Marca.” She paused. “Tt is recorded,” said the secretary. “ Speak on!” “Of wax I made an image of the statue.’ “ But how, woman,” said the Pope, “ did you know the semblance of the woman whom he modeled? Are you not but re- cently come to Rome?” ‘An evil spirit, Azra, came at my bid- ding, thus!”” She made a singular sign with her hand. “ He fears me, and he serves my pleasure. When I commanded he described all the acts of the man Peter Warburton.” Her voice grew thick. She stopped a moment; she hesitated and then went on determinedly: ‘‘ And drew on the blank void the semblance of the statue. From that I copied. I made the wax figure a perfect copy—with the aid of Azra!” The Holy Father made the sign of the cross and glanced up. The others in the room, with the exception of Peter and Bea- trice, followed his example. “ Then,” she went on, her words falling almost to a whisper, ‘I painted all the part of the statue below the head in white —but the head itself I painted in black: to confuse his thoughts when he labored on it. Then I came forthwith to Rome, and there I went to a place below the window of the Lady Beatrice della Marca, when I knew that Peter Warburton was in her house—I was singing with my lips, but I revolved enchantments with my heart—” Horror and grief were writ large on the face of Peter. She faltered, but went on in a voice still lower, fearfully distinct: “TI sang beneath that window. He looked down tome. Seeing my face, with the spell of my enchantments about him, he could not choose but make my image as the head of his statue!” Her head bowed. The silence held, mo- ment after moment. Color was coming back to Beatrice. Peter and Strochini stared at each other, incredulous. “Ts there aught more to confess?” asked the secretary. ‘‘ Or is the Holy Father satis- fied with what has been heard?” “ The ways of God are wondrous,” mused Leo, “and to adjudge death to this fearful soul—” Sonia started at the word “ death,” but was immediately quiet again. “ This fearful soul in this lovely garb of flesh,” went on Leo, “‘it is a grim thing, but there is a sword in the hand of Justice, and at times we must wield it. Lead the girl away, and thou, Sanseverino, my right hand of iron, see that she is punished in the way the law directs!” The Swiss took the arms of Sonia again, and led her toward the door. “Take care for the Englishman!” said Sanseverino sharply. “ The devil still works in his soul, and madness is on him!” Even as he spoke Peter sprang up and barred the way to the door. The guards shrank back from him, loosed the arms of Sonia, and left her free before him. ‘““Go your way and let me go in mine, or else you may be more evilly blasted than before!” she said, but she dared not look in the white horror of Peter’s face. “Guards, take her away! Mad Messer Peter, stand back!” called Leo. “Sonia,” he was saying, “ tell me that you have not spoken truly. Dear heart, at one word from you I will deny and anni- hilate all that mine ear has heard. Tell me that you are as true as you are dear to me —still dear to me, so help me God—Sonia!” She cried out again as she had-cried out when she first locked at him, and then dropped to her knees, clinging to him. ‘““Holy Father,’ cried Beatrice, “ the devil has taken hold of him again! Free him with your power!” With one hand Peter fondled the head of Sonia. The other hand he stretched to the Holy Father. “Ts this the way of wizardry?” he cried. “ Holy Father, if there has been witchcraft, fA yw comicbooks.com