The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-11-17

Of the great belfry tower Of Venice and
10 Il we're the two msleiaciors who bad
incurred the wrath OF the Venetian Sem
ate The cage and i's occupants had
been hung cut little before sunset, and
while the light lasted the people in the
piazza below had stood about the base OF
the pillar gazing up at the uncommon
sight.
There was not much to see. Little
could be made out at that height OF the
two figures in The cage, the structure It.
self and its occupants looking net much
bigger than bird.cage with q couple OF
linne,s inside. Still the people knew that
human creatures we're up there and thew
gszed while the light lasted. and not till
it had quite faded did the last OF them
go away. The cage would be there the
ssxt day, however, "that was one com
'ort," aud after that who could tell how
long7 There would be couple OF
corpses In Il one day instead OF these
living creatures; the spectacle would be
more interesting. If possible, then even
han now.
Hand.in.hand, the brother and sister
sat crouching on the floor of the cage,
qniet, resigned and waiting for the end.
They spoke but seldom, q word or two
now and then. an attempt 10 encourage
each other; then there would come q
Tong pause, while they took halt uncon
acious note Of the scene around, above.
below. Mechanically their eyes dwelt
on the near details OF the huge column
to which their prison was suspended,
the ornamentation which looked so
smooth and elaborate from below, but,
here close by, seemed quite rough and
unfinished.
The stars shone above them. the twink.
ling lights came out in the city below,
The dark lagoon stretched out as far ss
they could see, the tower and belfries oI
the town showed dimly above the Other
buildings, but none came near in height
TO the great Campanile from which they
hung. and which, when the bells rang
out. seemed positively to sway with The
vibration cf the desfening sound.
They we're utterly wearied and ex
haus'ed. It was cold, and the daml
rose from the canal and the lagoon. and
seemed to chill them to the bone. Pool
little Brisida sbivered involuntarilv from
time to time. The absence OF all hope
ALI pos ~lhilitv OF ieliverance-seemed
to depress her vital po wer, and produced
degree Of chill which the actual cnndi'
E'ian Of the temperature did not accoun,
fur.
my poor Briia! !" said Lucs, tenderly
looking kindly on her in the dim light
"they might have spared you. What q
conspirator he added, smiling bitterly
"whst dangerous subject! Oh" hs
cried. his tone changing suddenly, "ths
something could be done to deliver yor
rom this dreadful fste!!"
"Do you wish me away, then, Luca ?
She paused q moment, and her thought:
went hack TO happier times. "Lrca,
she went on. 'how happy We used to b
before you were mixed up with these
dreadful plots and conspiracies, wher
YOU used to work all day at your beauti
ful missals, and ! sat by you making the
pa,terns which you had designed on my
embroidery! And Lippo. who used tc
be with Us so often. Poor Lppo!
wonder what he is doing. and if he GO
the letter which I sent to him after vol
we're arrts ed"
She stopped abruptly as her brother
started up from the crouching position
10 which be had lain so long, causing
The cage to swing violently to end fre
by the sudden movement.
"What was that2" be cried. "Some
thing rushed by me in the air; was it .
ti,d7 II came qnite near my head
Again I" be cried after short interval
s'Ah it is not bird. Il is-it Is an ar
row!"
"An arrow ?" echoed Brigida; "wha,
can that mean2" The moon had com,
out brightly just at this time from be-
hind a cloud. and they both gazed dovr
on the piszza. The sky was covered
again presently. and everything was in
distinct; but Brigida thought she ha,
made out something like the figure Of I
man in the great square. near the base o
the column. "What can it mean :" sal
Brigida again.
ut MEANS" replied her brother. "tha
We are hing up here as mark to he sho
at. But 10 the dark-why in the dark =
Brigida shuddered invoiuntariIy and
drew nearer to her brother. 81 hope
they will kill me frst," che said.
The words were hardly oat OF bel
mouth when third arrow came wh.z
zing through the air. This time it struck
Luca full on the shoulder.
"Tbey sim we'll by this dim light" be
said. "Strange!" he added. after 8
pause; "he arrow bit me full, &nd vet i,
has not pierced my skin, nor, / think
made any wound. But what is this p
he added . moment Of erward. A line
had fallen across his arm, and as be drew
one end of it TO him he found that il
was attached to the arrow which had
struck him. "The arrow is blunted ai
the end, and there is silken line attach.
ed to Il"
Q,ick IN her woman's Wit, quicker
sill ip her love-instinct. Brigida saw in
an instant what had happened. 'It is
isom Lippo!' she cried, "vou know
what q good marksman be is. ] knew be
Voc help u.s."
There il something fastened to the
line." said Luca, pulling it swiftly into
the cage. ut is heavy" he continued,
'and gets heavier as draw j, nearer. 1t
is rope!"
An exclamation of relief hurst from
brother and sister at once. II was fol.
lowed, as often happens. bv a reaction.
"But the cage!" cried Brigida. "How
can We get out 2"'
EASILY" vas the reply. "They have
thought that the height from the ground
was safeguard enough against any al.
tempt TO escape, and have not considered
il necessary to place the bars very near
together A little 50 ,eezing, dear. and
We shall get that small body OF yours
through between these two bars, which
by . ,me accident have got more forced
apart than the Others"