Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-08-12

" sumo VI tue HIst upoleS Ol 6llce.
| i will endeayor to be present anc
do myself that honor, SO please your
grace =
| oTis well. Antonio, turning Il
his attendant, see that his lordshiy
has proper conduct from the palace.
With polite bows, forced smiles
suitable adieux, the Venetian and
| Spanish noblemen separated, eact
secretly hating the other with bit,
ter and deadly hate
As Antonio left the presence OF his
noble master, he seized the first op
portunity to say to the count:
MY lord, l have private word
for your ear.
Il listen
'We are oountrymen.'
Indeed p
Yes, pursued Antonio, speaking
low and in Spanish, Il know your
house well, and | would serve you.
Your life is in danger here
so | believe
1 think this banquet is given ex-
pressly to destroy you!'
i had my fears
yet, if you will come to it, and
follow my instructions, you shall not
only be saved, but, If you will, be.
come Duke of Francavella.'
sHow ? speak !!
Seem Indifferent to my remarks.
now, my lord-for all beneath this
roof are spies upon each and every
other-and if be suspected of what
am saying, my life would not be
worth song. Have you ever heard
OF the Red Death, my lord 2
Never, to my knowledge
1T is briefly this /: On the night of
festivity, figure in red domino and
red mask, sits near the duke. At the
close OF the feast, this figure shakes
hands with all present, and it is rare
that some one of the number does
not die shortly after. Does your
lordship comprehend p
Il think | do-secrer poison ?
Through the Death Ring, my
lord =
'Ay! well p
when this Red Mask takes your
hand on that night, he will leave
within it a paper of instructions.
which you must fnd an opportunity
to read in secret and follow to the
letter.
slow do you know this p
Il knoU it, my lord-that must suf-
fee for the present. Win your lord.
ship come and seize dukedom p
But how that?'
you shall know if you come
Il will come-though how am to
know you mean me we'll p
III meant you i'll, my lord, wh at
need to warn you ?
'True-it is enough will be
there
Punetual to the appointed time,
the Count Of Palmera appeared at
the banquet of the Duke of Franca-
vella. The Venetian received him
with apparent pleasure, and, as be
had promised, introduced him TO
many noble guest, The feast be
gan, and the wine circulated freely.
AT the close came the handshakinn
round of the dreaded Red Death.
Scarcely one Of those present did
not turn pale at the thought that
perhaps his own time had come at
last. The count being a stranger,
seemed the most Indifferent of any.
as was natural he should. He poured
out mora wine and drank, and then
seemed to reflect. In this mood he
held the small paper, which he had
just received, in such a way that he
could peruse it without being sus-
peoted. This pspsr contained these
words:
'Feign illness, and be shown to a
private apartment. / will be there to
complete the design
In few minutes the duke, who
had baen furtlyely watching the
count, remarked with seeming con.
Germ. that be feared bis lordship was
i'll.
The count certainly did appear
rather faint, but affected to believe it
only temporary aiImsnt, which
would speedily pass away. The no.
bles exchanged glances, and each
breathsd freer as he fancied be had
discovered the victim in other than
himself
But the count instead of getting
better, seemed to grow more faiat
and his kind host suggested that he
should be shown to private apart
ment and his chef physician ba sum.
moned.
Il will accept tina kind offer OF
your grace, with many thanks = said
the count, in low faint tone.
Il will do myself the honor to at
tend your lordship' was the courte.
GUS reply. MY lords and gentlemen,
pray excuse brief absence I will
shortly rsjsin you!
He offered his arm to the count,
who leaned heavily on it, and thus
left the ball. Passing through an
ante room, they entered one hung
with damask, and richly furnished
The Red Mask, who had left the
banqueting hall before them, was
here, as il awaiting their coming. AS
the duke assisted his guest to al.
van, the Red Mask quietly closed ana
bolted the door Then producing Q
small rope, With the slip. knot OF Q
hangman, he glided up to the duke
as he bent over the count, and throw.
ing the moose around his neck, drew
1t tight, and strangled him before be
could comprehend his murasrous de-
sign and raise his voice for help
When the duke was quite dead, the
mask was removed and the face O
Antonio appeared before the count.
/ Quick, my lord = said Antonio
pale and trembling at what he hac
! done 'disrobe, put on the dress o
the duke, return to the hall, and BIZ
lord of the palace. Ii you succeed
in deceiving the assembled guests
which trust your close resemblance,
will enable you to dove are safe
if You fail, we are lost! Leave th,
dukes body to me, | can put it for
ever beyond human sight, where it