The Shasta courier., 1867-01-26

self in a cloak. As he passed the threshold,
he turned and tenderly kissed her forehead.
The lady, who was leaning far out of the
carriage, drew back and clenched her hands
until the nails pierced the flesh, and blood
marked the pressure of every finger.
The cavalier went rapidly on his way. As
soon as he was out of sight, Masso again
descended from the carriage, and knocked at
the door. Caterina had not had time to re-
turn to her apartment, for it was her voice
that answered, without opening. +" Who is
there? ?'
1t is I-Masso: open the door,
The order was at once obeyed
Come to the saloon; have something
to say to you" said Masso.
Caterina, bearing the light, led the way to
the saloon, having first carefully closed the
door,
When they entered the room, Masso said,
" Wait for me here moment; have for
gotten something"
Caterina nodded smiling assent, and
seated herself. Masso returned to the street.
handed the lady from the carriage, and sig
nailed the two bravoes. All four entered
the house. and the door was closed and
barred Masso led the way to the apartment
where Caterina sat. The masked lady enter.
ed first; the three men grouped themselves
near the entrance, but she strobe up to
Caterina
What is this Who are you, lady ?' in
quired Caterina, somewhat startled, thou Oh
not evincing any great alarm.
The lady removed her mask.
Do you not know me?''
No, truly Signora," answered Caterina;
but her voice trembled, for the satanic ex
preston of the woman who stood before her
might we'll have terrified braver heart.
8 am the wife of the Duke San Giula-
no.
Caterina did not change color; she simply
bowed, and her blue eyes looked the inquiry
she was too courteous to speak.
-" Who left this house a few moments
ago?'' asked the Duchess
Caterina did not answer.
1t was your lover !" shrieked the Ouch
ess.
Caterina dropped her eyelids silently, but
without shame; she had no thought of deny
ing the fact
. The Duke San Giuliano !" added the
Duchess, fierce'y.
Then Caterino gave violent start. and
her face blanched with terror, as she ex-
claimed, "No-no " O, no ~
8 tell you yes-l saw him My eyes
are not false as he is, and as you are y
Caterina's limbs refused 10 support her,
and she dropped, half kneeing, halfcrouch-
ing before the Duches.
You mistook-you mistook Jacopo, who
left me but now, has no wife. When pnt
off these weeds he will have one. He has
told me IA hundred times that he never loved
any one save ne. 1t was the truth, | know
You have mistaken him for some one else"
Then the lady's fury burst all bounds
She sprang towards the girl, and seized her
by the throat-that beautiful throat which
her husband must have thought of when be
so lauded slender throats-plunged her dag
ger in Caterina's breast, exclaiming, Two
wives he cannot have Thus | rid him of
the one whom he dared to say he loved =
He has only one left to love-"
The wound was not mortal, and Caterina,
with the strength of fear, struggled to her
feet, and freed herself from the grasp of the
frantic woman-but she encountered the
brayoes
Masso went forth to see that her cries had
not been heard. The men soon followed
him.
After long interval, the door opened
again, and the lady appeared. She carried
in her hand small black bag, entered the
carriage, laid the bag on her knees and held
it there as she was driven back to the Villa
Salviati.
The Duke woke early the next morning,
and summoned his valets. 1t was New
Years Day, and all the world would throng
the Court to do homage to the soi ereign.
Salviai bade his Wallets bring forth his most
costly attire. He was merry that morning,
and liberal because he was merry; he flung
to each large piece of gold to celebrate
the New Year, for it was year which prom
ised much happiness he said He was hum.
ming popular love song, when some one
tapped lightly on the door.
Come in !"
A servant entered, bearing blue velvet
basket, embroidered with seed pearls, and
apparently well filled with fine cambric.-
The cavaliers of those days delighted in fine
linen and rich laces.
My Lady sends to my Lord Duke this
New Years gift"
Thank your Lady, and say | wish her
happy New Year. This is for thee
He tossed the attendant piece of gold.
The aces were very costly. On the top
lay a superb handkerchief; then came rich
collar and cuffs he was trying to lift out the
next article but the lace must have caught
it appeared to be fastened He plunged
his hand in the basket to loosen 1t. His
fingers came in contact with something very
soft and silky the touch, though familiar
thrilled him like an electric shock lie drew
out his hand but, tangled about his fingers
was long. long tress of FURNISHED gol1.-
Terror stricken, he tore away the camhric
which covered something in the bottom OF the
basket O, beautiful horror that face
the delicate features, white as waxItne
sightless, CLASSY, blue eyes. opened VICE
the head Of his beautiful Caterina lay before
him G.,
With the savage roar of wild beast oalf
viati rushed from the apartment 10 tna' u
his wife. 80
The Duchess was gone. She had only re,
turned home the night previous prepaleJd
that basket, left it in charge OF a servant anu
fed f,,1 ,y;fa
never met again. Salviati after wandering
ahont the world, resting nowhere, ana ma
inc no peace, haunted by that beartiiui nor
ror died in his prime.
Veronica took up her residence at her
fathers mansion. Often and often she pray
ed for pardon but Salviati was dead to