The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-03-12

Geously. Blanca W. dad In The midst OF
my splendor Was struck with blindness, tho
result Of my life in tho Venetian cell and Of
which nv preternaturally acute vision for
gold might have forwarnod mo At that time
was in love with 10 woman 10 whom hoped 10
Join my fate; 7 had told her the secret Of my
name; she belonged to powerful family, anc
! hoped everything from the favor shown me
S' KY TRUSTED ed h,, ~, vS S, :ss
me to consult famous London Occulist; but
after . few months sojourn in that city the
woman abandoned me, robbing me Of my
whole fortune and leaving me without . re-
source in the world. for to tell my name was
70 deliver myself to the vengeance 0f Venice.
Il spare you the recital Of adventures wor-
thy Of Gil Blas The FIench revolution oone.
I was compelled to enter the Quinze- vingts
me had me placed, after keeping me two years
at Bcetre, for insanity. i never have been
able to kill her, blind - sm, and am too ps,or
now TO hire an svenger. II l had consulted
my jailer, before lost him, about the situstion
treasury again IL I had returned to Venice
when the Republic was DESTROYED by Napoleon
But now have found you, the man I have
hoped to find ell these yeara Come with me
that prison door, for shall zee the gold through
the walls, I shall feel it under the waves whers
il 10 buried; for though the power Of Venice
was overthrown, the secret OF that treasury
must nave periSceu WIN Nenuremino, biancee
brother, . doge by wnOm l hoped my
peace would be made with the Ten.
! have addressed notes 10 the First
Consul, I have proposed . treaty to the En-
peror of.Austria; both have dismissed me - .
mailman. Come, let us be Oh to Venice We
start beggars, hut We shall return millionaircs.
We shall buy back my estate; you will be my
heir; YOU will he Prince Of varese."
Agitated by the wild tale, tempted BY the
wild scheme. saddened at the sight Of that
| vrt haaA hnalQ1 lv tho vioW nf tho
black water in the Bastile moats-stagnant -
the Venetian canals-I was silent Facino
Cane doubtless thought that ! looked upon
him, like the rest, with contemptuous. pity.
He made . gesture which expressed all tho
philosophy Of despair. Perhaps his tale car
ricd himback to his happy days, to Venice. He
seized his clarinet and played . melancholy
Venetian SONG barcarolle for which he
won back his early talent the inspira-
ton Of patrician beneath the balcony 81 his
lady-love. 1t was . sort Of ''By the Rivers
of Babylon" the prayer Of a banished man,
the regret OF lost great name, mingled with
The gold lust soon reasserted itself; the ruling
passion cxtinguished the reflected light Of this
beam Of youth.
81 am in the treasury" he cried; 'asleep Of
waking, l always see it; walk there, the dia-
monds fash l am not a. blind a. you think
gold and diamonds light mp nv night, thu
night Of the last Facino Cane, the last--my
title goes to the Memmis just heaven. the
murdercr's punishment begins in this world
Ave Maria!"
He muttercd prayer without removing his
eyes from my face. The prayer affected mi
like spell pronounced by Q wizard
1--WE will go to venice.s exclaimed. Thu
words seemed forced from me by will othe
than my own.
The old man rose to his feet His massive
figure wavered in the moonlight He stag
gered toward mo. His face was on fire, ITO
morrow" he gasped, i've will beg. I an
He clutched at his throat, beat the sir, tot
tered and fell. sprang 10 his assistance. Tn
low, night wind walled, the wedding guest
went singing by, and Facin0 Cane was dead