Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-09-18
A BRIEF STORY.
! NO MAN. II E HENG z.
A TALE OF VENICE.
BY THOMAS ALLIES.

Twas night; ana ne broad expanSe
Of heaven gittered with myriads of
stars. Al distance the moon threw
its light upon the dark towers Of De
Vasca. Venice, the lovely Venice,
the seat of Joy and luxury, was hush
ed; its streets were all vacant, and not
footste2 broke the stiffness OF the
night. II was the hour when the stran
ger might gaze on its noble p ,laces
through the dim mist of night. and.
wrapt in wonder and awe. exclaim this
is indeed bright land! The distant
bell of st. Dominic tolled the mid
night hour, as a gondola suddenly
made its appearance beneath the
Bridge of Signs; it neared the shore.
and from it stepped a female form
Close wrapping her mantle around her
she ascerded the path that led to the
Bridge. She had just reached it
when the sound of footsteps broke OIL
her ear; and placing herself behind one
of the abutments, where she was free
from discovery, she awaited their com.
ing. They soon approached the Bridge,
and were those of a young and gallant
cavalier, with his arm entwined round
female form.
may, Dnnnezetti." exclaimed the
cavalier. pausipg, .believe not what
the world says. l swearI love thee,
and none other. Be mine then, sweet
one!"
"Gladly would l. Antonio; but my
sire will not bestow his child on one
who, he says, loves another 'Tis
rumored Estele, the handsome Estelie,
is your future BRIDE"
Handsome" echoed the youth
Handsome? not so handsome rs thee.
Estelle was never my choice, Dom q
ELI. Thou dost not believe these
tales?''
"Believe them!" echoed Donnezetti,
clasping her arms round tie cavsicr's
reck. ''B lieve them! Oh, no; you
love none other. Donnezetti is alone
your choice, and she is worthy Of
it."
"Unworthy Of it? never, sweet one
But, bark! aIreadv has our cathedral
bell tolled the hour of midnight; the
breeze is springing. and dark clouds
hover DER our heads. Let us away;
tomorrow night be at the window
that overlooks the river; ] will be
there"
Forget not, Antonio," whispered
the maiden.
Forget" echoed the youth, as they
retraced their steps III will be there,
and gaze again upon that lovely face"
'lou SHALL" exclaimed the female.
merging from her hiding place; 8 but
for the last time"
Twas night ag lin; another day had
dawned and fed over Venice. The
scenes of busy life had been enacted;
the gay had again emerged amid their
pleasures; the busy had their labor
well; and death had mingled with the
laugh of JOY. But bark! ST. Domin-
les bell tolls the midnight hour; and
light shines on the large gothic window
OF the castle D'Istrs 1t opens; and
see! maiden looks from il upon the
dark waters that frown AT di.tance
beneath. "Ah, my Antonio" she
cried, as form stood beneath her win
dow, "thou art here"
"Here," echoed a voice in a soft
whisper. " but not for long: and l have
a gift such as Donnezetti merits. A
silken cord let down by thy sweet
hand viii soon give it thee"
The cord was lowered. "Now,"
exclaimed Donnezctti, as she clasped
small box in her hands, {. Ills mine,
Antonion'
IT'S a fair bridal gift, Donnezrtti,
and such as thou alone meritest, who
art handsomer than Estelle."
A loud explosion echoed Ger the
waters, followed by shrek loud and
piercing. and the form of Donnezetti
disappeared from the window.
"NOw, who triumphsg' exclaimed
voice, and the voice was that of the
mysterious female Of last night; hut
cavalier stood before her as she prepar-
cd to depart.
HI. EsielIc" exclaimed he, start
ing back. ''you herer'
Aye, Antonio, have come to gaze