The Republican journal., 1871-08-17

/ lllllh Oh INC cnancc to win Thy love, to
know, young sir, Carmola returns tn
passion, and wceps bitter tears when sh
thinks Of the obstacles that separate yo
from her"
81 consent; give me the ducat,' erie
Gaetano, desperately
His fingers closed upon the gold piece
Il shrill laugh rllng in his ears, and he sa
alone before the fire
1t is five years since that night the sol
diersof the Foreign Legion held their will,
wassail in the little inn, and the strange
appeared to Captain Gaetano. In thos,
five years much had happened. Th'
Duke of Milan still ruled the helples
citizens with an iron hand But though
his affairs had prospered at home. abroat
ill-tortune had befallen him. He had be-
come involved in war with Venice. TIL,
army of the Republic, led by youns
solder, sprung, no one knew from where,
had met the soldiers of Milan and utterly
routed them-a result caused by the
treachcry OF two battalions Of the Foreign
Legion, who had deserted to the enemy
ut the first of the fight The troops o.
Venice laid close siege to Milan The
terms they demanded were hard ones
First, a certain sum of money; next, the
hand of the Dukes daughter for the Young
General of the Republic.
The Eisconti at last consented The
gates were opened and the army of Ven
ice entered the city. The bridal night
had come that was to wed the soldier OF
fortune to the hcress of the Visconti's
line. The Venetian captain wore the
visor of his helmet down. IA VOW" he
said, ''never to show his face to mortal
| till he was Il welded man." The rites of
| the Church were over. The beat of drums,
the trumpet's call, and the loud thunder
of the artillery had announced the triumph
of Venice.
The bride and bridegroom stood within
the wedding chamber-she, Il gentle,
bluc-eyed maid, clad in the white robe of
innocence, with orange blossoms twined
in her golden hair, but on her face look
of painful resignation he, stalEart war
rior, clad from head to foot in golden
mail, his face hid by the closed visor Of
his helmet From his shoulder dropped
y heavy cloak of velvet.
"Why SO sad, sweet wife? ?" the soldier
asked
"Shall | speak the truth p the maiden
questioned.
YES"
81 do not love you, and love another"
she exclaimed desperately.
''You do ?H said the soldier in a sad
voice.
Eyes. | do not know whether he be
living or dead. He was only q simple
captain in my fathers Foreign Legion,
but loved him. Five wears ago he dis
appeared. lfhe still lives love him; if
he be dead, my heart is buried in his
grave
"IIis Nance"
'Gactano"
The soldier cut the helmet from him.
One look, and, .ioyously the maid rushed
into his arms.
The Venetian General was Gaetano.
In few words he told the blushino
girl how love for her had urged the sol
dier to seize the laurel crown of the con-
querer.
Then with sudden start, as a remem-
brancer shot across her mind, Carmola
clung closer to the breast of her lover.
'You are in danger she murmured
Changer from whom ?"
My father
''Does he dare TO brave the power Of
Venice" ?" the soldier asked, with a frown.
mo, not openly,n replied the girl;
you are to be summoned shortly to Visit
him. As you cross the courtyard the
ass;lssins will spring upon YOU"
''l)o not fear; | VIII baif1e the design"
A servant announced the duke.
'Retire, love"
Obedient, the girl Departed The duke
entered. Courteously the soldier rrceiy-
ed the host who was to play the part of
the assassin. The duke gazed long upon
the face of the soldier.
''Gaetano ~ he exclaimed in wonder
The same, my lord,' the Venetian
chief replied
GLOW have You risen to your present
rank the duke asked.
Then TO the wondering ears OF the Wis
cont the soldier told the story of the
Devils ducat, and the compact with the
Evil One
"Is it possible ?'' cried the duke
Behold the proof" and the soldier
showed the ducat. ''If you wish | will
sell it to YOU Then he told the condi-
tions.
Gladly the duke purchased it, then
turned TO depart
"The air is chill" said Gaetano; ''take
my cloak"
The Duke wrapped himself in the red
cloak Of the Venetian and departed.
Gaetano sprang to the window, which
looked down upon the courtyard. What
he had anticipated came to pass. The
Duke, clothed in the red mantle, was mis-
taken by the assassins for the soldier
They sprang from their ambush and
buried their daggers in his breast. With
u hoarse groan of anguish the Nisconti
fell PROSTATE upon the earth. Then the
horror-striclSen eyes OF Gaetano beheld
the figure Of the iiend rise from the
ground.
The mocking laugh of the Evil One
rung on the air The Duke had died
with the devils lucat in his possession,
and his soul was lost forever As the
son-in-law of the Visconti, he soldier of
fortune clutchcd the Ducal crown of
Milan; he proved Il lust and able ruler,
and the Milanese blessed the day when
the false Nisconti fell beneath the assas-
sims steel.
AJoLLY FUNERAL. We see periodically