Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-01-21
SNAPDRACON.
CHAPTER III.


pale, CHASTITY light on the massive but
tresses and sculptured edifice of the old
Church of San Carlo, with the quaint
cloisters and arched cid gates leading
from the courtyard to the church; but
seen on the spot and midnight hour
was a tall mans figure standing in the
still deeper shadow of a column, his
face turned towards the west side, that
nearest the Urbino Palace. Once he
stepped in the other direction and
looked along the canal hard by towards
the spot where, hidden he knew, his
boat with three of his men lay awaiting
his return. But beyond that he stood
motionless, but he presently moved a
few steps out again; the next moment
a shadowy form stole round a buttress
-on-behind him; then suddenly with
a tiger-like bound, sprung forward in
front and struck st. Maur full on the
breast with dagger; SO forcibly that
the blow hurled him backwards stretch
ing him full length, stunned, though
strangely there was no flow of blood.
The assassin fled precipitately, and al
most the next moment voice said
SOfCly-"G u1d0--I am hereI
No answer, and white robed figure
with hood and mantle thrown back,
glided ghost-like round the wall. One
glance of horror at the PROSTATE form,
and the girl in an instant was kneeling
beside her lover, lifting his head on her
arm.
Guido, Guido, my love! speak to mel
Oil merciful Heaven, cannot he hear
even my voice, or feel this-this," and
10 agony she pressed her warm lips to
his, and his closed eyes. Ali the ma
gic of this voice and kiss of love, the
ear, lulled for few minutes, was pene-
trated, the kisses were felt, and Annet-
ia wondering at her lady's non-appear-
ance, appeared as the dark eyes opened
with a half-dazed look into LeOnOra's
face.
Holy Virginl is he murdered?"
whispered the nurse, hoarsely-"that
Gerald"
No. no! hush. Guido, my heart! it
is I-yOur own LeOnora."
Il know now my darlingw he whisp-
cred family; cit is nothing, wait a
moment"
What agony was crowded into the
five or six minutes in Whichhe lay quite
still to recover the stunning effect Of
the blow to the head when he fell; then
he raised himself on one arm and
smiled.
4 shall be myself directly, dearestl"
he said. Il was but stunned, for the
savage stabs threw me backwards"
"Gran Dio! stabbed-but there is no
blood" came from both women to-
gether as the young man rose.
NO." he laughed, "the reckless fell
low" and he drew from his breast
pocket a small thick notebook, ivory
backed with solid silver and silver
clasped.
See, the dagger's point" he contin-
ued, 'has actually deeply dented in the
metal, and saved my life from Geraldi's
hired assassin. Come, I am quite re-
covered now, and there is danger in
lingering"
He wrapped her mantle close about
the Venetian, put her hand on his arm,
and moved forward, followed by the
nurse.
My boat is not far off," he said in a
low voice, as he quickened their pace.
The church was left behind, the mar
row street traversed without meeting
so much as a stray dog, for all was soil
tude and silence at that hour. But how
that litu.e hand chung to the strong arm;
how the young heart beat as they
reached the bank, and he paused.
"Jack~ he said softly.
AYE! Aye! my lord"
There was the "Sea Queens" dainty
gig lying just below at the stairs. The
bowman leaped out, holding the boat
by the painter till ST. Maur and his
companion had embarked, all main
tanning perfect silence. The young
nobleman took the tiIIer ropes, and the
bowman stepped in. giving a tremen-
dous push that sent the pretty craft out
almost into mid-Stream, or rather mid
canal.
"Giye way, my ladsI but silence for
your lives" said Guy.
As the boat, bounding like living
beauty over the waters beneath the
powerful strokes of three strong growers,
swept out into the open sea, the Vene-
tian turned and looked back at the city
VI uS1 Ul1 III udGlNS City Suo Was
leaving for strange land and people,
for the sake of this one man at her side.
Oh! but that man was the one she loved,
and who loved her truly. Their eyes
met for moment, and read each 9th
er's heart.
YeS, for ever and for ever" he said
very low, and tenderly answering her
as IL she had actually spoken
The yacht lay but a little way out, as
her headlight showed, and st. Maur
steered straight for her. He had order
ed steam to be got up (she was a crew
boat as well as sailer), and everything
to be in readiness for weighing anchor
by one O'Clock, and all was quite ready
now, and the chief mate and Frank
were eagerly watching the boats adj
vance from the gangWay.
The shippers got the young lady,
sir" said the mate, looking through his
night glass (St. Maur was his own cap
tain, having qualified himselfl. 81 see