The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-01-04
Hhe=FiShernan=
ZOf=NapleS.
CHAPTER XXI.
MURDER AT THE ALTAR.


bishop OF Naples, and III the chapel Of the
castle itself. the happy alliance which realized
all his dreams and crowned all his hopes
and on this day asaniello was dyingi The
poison he had absorbed by smelling the per.
fume of isabella's bouquet had worked since
the night before with frightful activity upon
his feverish and passionate organization The
fisherman experienced moments oil ecstasy.
Of furious delirium, Of such profound pros
tration and of such complete humiliation
OF all his faculties, that he seemed To have
reached his last hour
The sanctuary was being decked ont, and
the altar covered with flowers AMI golden
reliqumries. the happy isabella was trying on
her mnrr.a.,c dress. IN word, all the
preparations for the u.iion were Oh the point
Of completion when Aasanie 10. after most
violent crisis. iet that the hour his death
agony was come
Tue officers who served HIM FASTENED to
acqualnt the viceroy with the fact and sent
for Dom Francisco to attend ths dying man.
The Benedlctlne made all possible haste TO
reach his bedside
He renamed for some time standing near
the bel OF suffering Oh which the inanimate
body of his auoptei son lay stretched, he
toos the l..tters hands in his own and wiped
away tue cold perspiration which wetted his
forehead. twenty times, too, did he call on
him la LIS Ei''st ten.er and persuasive voice
The Il heriiian ut last oened his eyes
"Fa =! am dyingr' he murmured.
Eec no more, but lay motionless
on his ~.
"Oa. l. zen, Daven! they have poisoned
him exc,...lird e Benedictine, horror
strucA
Dom Francesca WAS Skilled in medicine; he
had g. ,;tlitd botaay, and had particu.
larly 49,. =: I.irisr to the investigation of
those i.u::!> $ anu Subtle poisons Of which
the It..iiln .s:ocrac ha,l preserved the re-
cipes ever = tie .orrible times of tho
Borgia an re leiicl He looked for the
traces O. cr...le in Masaniello's apartment,
and recog ni2ed tnen in "a faded bouquet that
had flilca FROM the uncertain grasp of the
dying Ian on lle floor He gathered up
the last po;. .o.is Of these fatal flowers and
plucled item leaf by leaf to pieces; then
hiding t.ie-n under his robe he called one OF
Masanello's Officers.
''This youn mail is dying" he said to him.
"Alas! he Is sell very Young t., finish 81 career
which lie has succeeded in rendering SD glo-
rious The emotions of these few last days
have killed him."
The officer. an old Spaniard, devoted to the
Duke OF ARGOS, made no reply.
Il will run to the Church del Carmine and
fetch the last sacraments," lied the Bene-
define. ado not quit the room i'll my alb
sencc."
Dom Francesca Immediately got into
calessino, drove in few minutes over tho
distance that separated him from his monas-
terry, and taking a little glass vial out Of his
A.
of the Duke of ARGOS
The monk gently opened tho flsherman's
bps and poured few drops of the cordial
into his mouth.
Under the influence Of the generous liquor
Masanielo experienced nervous feeling of
shiver.ng, raised his trembling frame and
looked round him with al air of alright.
The monk dipped the end of u piece Of
linen in the vial and rubbed the palms of the
patients hands, as well as his temples and
eyelids with it.
''Oh, father, father, what eass you have
procured me-" said poor Masaniello in
remulous voice. feeling new life as he spoke
the Benedictine continued his paternal as
sistance until he had placed him out Of
danger.
But the fisherman bad lost all his strength;
his head was weak, while strange NOISES rang
ia his ears ard the room seemed to be- turn
ing round hl.l.
Do:a francesca fastened to the officer in
the aute-chamber.
'Brother," said ho to him, 'you have for
gotten to bestow OH me a slight aims, which
che monks who pray at tho pillow Of dying
man always receive"
The officer felt for piece Of money In the
pocEet OF his doubIet
SIT is not money that ask for, but to far
eelczione," continued Dom Francesca, In an
sbsequious tone.
.sAhi I understand. to far colazione," re-
Piled the Spaniard. haughtily. THAT proves
that you Fave a good appetite, father, and
by Our Lady OF Atochai ! wish you an Ok.
celleuL one You shall have some breakfast
brought you from INV lords own Kitchen"
Dom Francesca awaited the officers return
A few minutes afterward the worthy Ben.
edictine reentered Masaniello's room with
large slice o! roast beef. game pasty, and
bottle OF wine.
Eat. my son." he said to him, land re-
fresh your shattered strength. You have
just escaped death. Tell mo, with your hand
upon your heart, whether you were prepared
to appear before the never erring Judge who
rewards or Furnishes usf'
~ have been fearfully guilty. know" TO
piled the fisherman. AS late as yesterday
horrible thought condemned to exocu-
tion. But I was mad. Dom Francesca. my
reason had deserted mo Father. what Is this
horrible complaint, these changes from furi-
GUS passion To the most dreadful state OF
prostration. from which you have cured me"
"You shall know We have no time to
hose. unfortunate youth. Take little Of
this food, this, at least. contains no poison"
no added, In q low voice to himself.
TIE fisherman obeyed Dom Francesco's di-
rectiona
As he devoured the slico Of boef and i'm
bibed the generous liquor, which had been
given as an aims to the Benedictine, Masar
niello felt his strength return.
Then rising and running TO Venetian mir
ror, no exclaimed:
~ am once more strong, full Of health,
vigor and couragci Como to me, honor,
K10ry-and you, oh, future, with your de-
1Icious promiscsi Come TO me, my be-
1zothedi shall soon lead you to tho atari"
Dom Francesca looked on the fisherman
Nth smile OF pity
ssAnd your brothers OF Naples1 Have You
1mgusssn them, MasanieloF' said hc to him.
"What have they to ask from NOR In