The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-06-17
THE RED DEATH MASK.
A Venetian Legend.

there lived in Venice q certain naughty Duke
On rich and pOwertul as to be feared by friend
as well as foe for that was period OF con
slant murder and assassination, ana mere
whlm, OF unjust suspicion, was often sui1cien
to bring the deadly poison or secret stiletto 70
bear upon those supposed to be IN highes'
favor.
II was the custom OF this nobeman to give
costly banauets in the great hall of his palace
but there was always one thing to mar the fes
tiyl.v c! .hc occasion--the constant dread OF
some secret agent Of death. IL was known
that of those who attended these feasts some
one or more generally died shortly, ana not
infreauenty in a manner to lead to the suspic-
ion Of secret poison; and this knowledge filled
the minds of all with dread, though none
dared remain away on this account lest what
they most feared should happen through the
anger of him who was powerful enough 10
reach them anywhere in Venice.
And what tended still more to mystery and
fear on these occasions of festivity was the
presence of the red mask Next to the lord
of the feast on his left hand, always sat a ST.
lent, mysterious figure, in red domino, with
q blood.red mask concealing every feature.
No one could say who he was and only con-
lecture why he was there His face was never
seen-hls voice was never heard. He ate and
drank with the rest, but never spoke. Before
the quests separated he always rose, gave his
hand to the noble host, and then went slowly
soIemnly and silently around the table, shak.
ing hands with each. This done, he glided
out of the hall, through private door, ana
was not seen again until the reassembllDg OF
the guests at another banquet. AS all believed
that he was the Dukes secret posOncr, he was
regarded with awe and dread, and came IN
time to b, spoken Of and known as the RED
Death Wask. How his fatal purpose was effect
ed, none could say; but it was conJectured
that upon one OF his jeweled fingers he wore
what was known as the Dedthring-a ring
curiouslv constructed with deadly poison in
the centre-which could be mi ected by sud
den pressure upon concealed spring, into the
hand of any one taken in apparent friendship;
and from the mortal effects of which-though
no wound, however slight, could be discovered
at the tlme--not all the medical skill OF Venice
could save the victim
In the very zenith Of his life and power, the
Duke one day received the singular intelli-
gence that gentleman had made his appear,
ancc in Venice, so closely resembling HIM IN
face anG figure that more than one person had
mistaken HIM for his Grace, and even some
of his Grace's friends had been thrown so
much !n,o doubt as to address the stranger for
himself To one as proud and naughty rs the
Duke, TIE idea of another human being in the
whole wide world looking like himself was
an-'N'rg but pleasing; and the fact that this
unknown counterpart was actually IN Venice,
causing great talk and wonder, was irritating
in the extreme.
"'yn9 is this adventurer this base counter
felt?" sngrly demanded the Duke. "Of what
nation Is he, and what brings HIM here"
No one could answer.
"Go, seek him out, and say it is my pleasure
to see hun st my palace"
The stranger was found, and readily accepted
the invitation OF the nobleman, who received
him in mis- private apartments, with only one
attendant present.
: .c resemblance of the two was certainly
very striking. Both were slenderly built
about five feet eight inches IN height Of dark
complexion, black HAIR and eyes, with slightly
az uilInc noses, cold, stern, naughty, sinister ex-
pIessions, and between 45 and so years Of age
Each saw himself in the other as in glass !;
and to uen Of their peculiar temperaments the
counterpart was not pleasing to either.
"Who are you?" demanded the Duke in an
lmperious tone.
Your equal" was the sharp reply.
"Sir, you forget your manners"
"Slr, you have not shown anyu
"Sdeath srrah! do you know in whose
presence you stand ~ cried the Duke.
mo more 'han YOURSELF" was the naughty
answer.
81 am the Duke Of Francavella"
"And am the Count of Paermal"
Al the mention of this title, the attendant of
tLu Duke gave slight quick start, and fixed
his eyes searChlngly upon the stranger
81 am gled at least to hear you are n noble
man." pursued the Duke, "as the thought of
having my likeness borne by plebian would
have been too humiliating. II is said, Count,
and my eye. confirm the report, that you and
/ look remarkably alike, which is a fact very
displeaslng to me-"
"And TO me also, Duke!"
There should be but one such face In Ven.
ace Count"
$50 think, Duke"
II may hope, then, you will take early leave
Of our proud city"
" was IL hopes your Grace had made ar
rapgcments to quit the country"
you are insoent, Count"
80 are you, Dukcr'
"By the bones of st. Mark" the Duke be-
gan is malignant rage; but, suddenly recol-
lectng himself he stopped, smothered down
his anger, aud added In quite different tone
with forced smile: Your pardon, Count
| am too hasty. II is not the fault of either OF
us that we look alike. If we cannot be friends
there is no need OF our being enemies; but, as
tNe urSt prOYOcatlOn proceeded from me, VIII
hope to remove 1t by proper apology, and
trust we may be passing friends after all"
The Count bowed and replied:
81 am disposed to meet your Grace half way
IN either anger or friendship"
ii thank your Lordship, and trust you will
honor my banquet on Friday evening next
with your presence, when | will do myself the
pleasure to Introduce your Lordship to some
Of the first mobiles of Venice"
81 will endeavor to be present and do my.
self that honor, so please your Grace" replied
the Count
"'Tis well. Antonio Cunning to his attend.
anti, see that his Lordship has proper conduct
from the palace"
With polite bows, forced smiles, and suitable
adieux, the Nentlan and Spanish nobleman
separated, each secretly hating the other with
a bitter snd deadly hate
Az Antnrin Loft thl. xaro.arc.. q L.. ....llu