The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-04-08
SELECTED TALES.
Virginia Coatayallo.
AN INTERESTING TALE OF VENICE.


ball, at the close of the merry season, and the
beauty aud nobility Of the " sland-throned
city" were gathered in his princely halls. The
masked crowd, thronging the splendid apart
ments, presented a singular appearance To the
casual spectator.-Look beneath the gorgeous
curtains of yon golden stained wndows.
Seems not yOu tall aud powerful looking Turk
very much as il he were eDdeavoring to wean
from heaven the affection of the sylph-lIse nun
at his side ! Or mark you holy father, whis-
pering spiritual comfort into the ear Of the
stately duenns, bending to his words. And
that harlequin dressed iortune-teller, prophesy-
ing the destiny OF the full. voluptuous figure
whose hand he holds. Why he mustbo near
sighted. or perhaps cannot see well through
his mask FOR look he bends lower and lower
aud no" bis mask is pushed to one side for a
moment, as his lip presses the sn"wy little
hand that trembles within his owG. Aha /.
call you that paimsry, seisuorl
Apart from the motley crowd in the embra-
sure of one of the windows, stood tso masker's
both apparently female the taller was evident
might judge from rather large and yellow
wrinkled hand, which was exposed with an ele-
CANT carelessness that would have gone Gar TO
win the heart Of an antiquary. The perfectly
erect back aud the eurbedlike position OF the
head, plainly marked the duenua.
The other, shorter and sghtor figure
wrapped in plain domino, which served TO
conceal Gas dew drop conceals the blush of a
rose) full and rounded bust, the general out
line OF most exquisite form, and frombeneath
the robe peeped forth, ., such foot
1t could have ,rod upon violet.
Nor bruised the beauty Of its per!umed petals.
; And what lips must those have been which
gave birth TO the mellow tones that murmur-
ed from behind the mask
Beuedets dost thou know yon gallant in
the black doublet, leaning against the porphyry
pillar! See how the dark plume of his hat is
blended with those long jetty rinslets that clus-
ter over his shoulder. Is he not OF noble
) presence !"
Holy Mother! signorina," replied Bene-
delta, " my eyes would need TO be as young,
, and even sharper than thine, to pierce yon
mask; nor do see aught in the plain looking
dress that might mark great nobility. Look
to you proud Brunelli, with all the diamonds Of
his house glntering on his velvet trapplngs
: looks he not bravely See toe - Blessed
: ST. Catherine" cried she, interrupting her Owl
coquence, lone might as we'll be talking tC
III III nf Gan Marrn thpFe
= would give as much attention at least. Come
sgnorina, it is time were departing, the bal
U will soon break up. They LEFT the window
but as the younger figure glided along, ere sh
vanished entirely, she cast one look at the pill
y lar, but it was unoccupied, aud with a half sig
she followed the duenna.
The mask over. the palace Of the doge wa
deserted and the Lagoon thronged with CONDO
las.
Italy showed as dark sky as ever Green
land boosted; Cynthia had taken this night II
play Hecate, and probably tho stars were at
tending her. for not one of :" the angel lii lamp
4, of Eyeu." shed its trembling radiance on tn
). earth The dark waves Of the Adrisiic rolle'
l. on, with deep gushing sound, their cours
. Just shown by the faint phesp phoIeseent light 0
IT their foam crowned tops, and night wore vel
n Of intense darkness that was oppressive TO III
e heart, The Lagoon was disturbed by ia
: cesselsss dash Of oars, and the cutting SCUM
/ OF the prows, as they moved through the cur
n ling wave.
I Hark that crash a gondoa has bee
: crushed by another. A shrek rang throug
, the stiffness Of the night; the clouds, As
n pierced by its sound, suddenly severed above
t and the moon looked dimly down upon the dsr
waters. A gondola wa. swimming amid cot
fused mass Of wreck. Upon it's side stood
- tall manly form the Sigh, plank quivered 2
he sprung from il. and sunk into the dsr
flood he rose again and bearing something
swan towards tbs bark; the faint light Of be-
b. ven served to show, his burden; young an
V. fair girl, was placed 10 the gondols, pail
IS rigid. bui exquistively lovely face; she
= placed upon the cushions inside, the lam
:, showed the form and features Of the lady
- long and flowing dress, saturated with the wi
10 ter, displayed the symmetrical proportions
Ip her form, and the small snowy hand, and II
8. face shadowed by long Wild ,re.ses Of dal
;" hue, although apparently inscnsste. possess
he that beautiful lie with which a statue glo~,.
by blessed St. Catherine" So uttered som
- body in the water, at the side Of the boa
nm will he not help me +, aud ou, old aequsi
ut tanes DeDedsua was assisted on board, 81
= firmly grssptng the top Of the cabin that forr