The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-07-18
KING GIACOMO'S BRIDE.

OF tne most notable palaces IN all Venice,
listlessly stood a sad faced, shabby young
man, while just overhead a little girl of
some dozen years leaned across the gayly
trimmed balcony, both watching the
gondolas as they piled up and down the
beautiful streets of the city.
1t was the day Of Saint Marks. one Of
The gayest holidays in Venice The girl
had but just emerged from the convent
walls at Padua, and, like bird let loose,
was in her merriest mood Amused at
the unusual solemnity of the brown
faced youth, who seemed to be solitary
and alone in the midst of such festive
cheer, and seeing him the butt of some
disagreeable, teasing boys, she threw him
a shower of bonbons, asking her brother,
who stood by, how he thought the lads
could so torment a stranger.
"Boys were very i'll hammered, he
said; "but see, sister, he is able to de-
fend himself, for he gives taunt for
taunt SO don't distress yourself He is
of age, and is fully capable of parrying
attacks.
They little thought, as they talked,
y
sentative of a lordly house, young
prince, and no beggar, who had been
banished from his fathers court at
Cyprus-not only that, but prosecuted
by a cruel mother and without money
or friends, and in deep dependency had
wandered to Venice, a very poor place
for one who knew nothing of work even
in prosperous days, and especially SO for
royal prince who would not work
Goaded to vengeance, after standing
at bay for awhile, and maddened by the
restless throng of boys, the young man
fourished a stiletto over his head, and at
length it became fighting in real earnest
In the very heat of the strife the door
Of the palace opened, and a sweet faced
girl peered ont defantly, much surpris-
ing his tormentors.
Boys of Venice, shame on you to treat
a stranger sol The very fisher lads could
show you better manners!"
Taken aback by these sharp words from
the daughter of one so august and of
such wealth as Marco Conaro, they
quickly scattered, perhaps more quickly
as they saw coming up the Grand Canal
a gorgeous gondola filed with young men
who had charge Of all this brilliant dis
play.
Prince Giacomo--for this was the name
OF the young man-as the piazza was
speedily cleared, raised his hat to the
girl, as if to offer his thanks, seeing for
the first time the interest in her face, as
well as the sweetness Of it, and followed
the multitude.
Time went on. 1t was but two years
before the mother and the old king were
gathered to their fathers, and the beg
carly prince became kingof Cyprus, then
a must desirable possession, and one that
Venice courted. Many Venetians owned
land there, among them Marco Conaro,
the father of the young girl, Catarina.
Her uncle, Andrea, went to inspect her
fathers land often in his stead, his pos
sessions being so large, and became in
his frequent visits very friendly with the
new king. Glorying in Venice and her
charms, he talked much about them and
OF Catarina, his pet.
"You should see her. She's the lowell
est girl in all Venice, " he said. Il can
show you her picture, but it doesn't do
her justice. Can you realize that she is
but 14?"
AS the king took it in hand he started
back in surprise
"Why is the face so familiar?" he
asked. "Ah, have It'll 1 know her-I
know that young girll"
He had fallen desperately in love with
the picture even before that discovery
was made.
"You know her, sire? I think not, :"
answered Andrea, astonished.
II do-by my honor, 1 do, said the
king "She is the brave maiden who, in
my poverty and loneliness, when, like an
i,nbecile, was crushed by disaster, de-
Tended me on the Grand Canal at Venice.
FOR which l owe her lasting gratitude, :"
bowing and smiling at the picture as he
spoke, as if he were really addressing the
living Catarina.
Pleased with the recital, Andrea as
sured Giacomo of her great worth and
cl-gCrcess.
But there are many fair daughters in
Venice, and CatHina is very Young
only child. You must seek other
maldens, sire, he said, seeing the inter
est the king ovinced
But he did not hear the inward resolve
which was something like this: Il am
my own master. I must see Catarina
and perchmce / shall make her queen. "
Full Of this matrimonial project, an
ambassador was dispatched to Venice,
collecting an alliance with the great re-
public, and asking the hand Of some high
DoIn maiden for King Giacomo. But
lecret instructions, you may be sure,
were given him whom to choose.
So the courier came to Venice, and il
was decided that on a certain day one of
the fairest daughters from each Of the
patrician families of the city should meet
in the ducal palace, in order that the
ambassador might select a wife fitting
for his royal master.
The day came, and the great council
hall was one mass Of color. The splendid
dresses Of the ladies, the scarlet robes OF
the high officials of the republic, the
vestments Of the grand old doge as he
cat in state upon his massive throne. and
the gorgeous array of the 72 candidates
for the kings choice, all pulled and pow
dered, and standing upon their high
heeled shoes, tall and stately, made q
grand picture.
There was but one in that gay assem-
bly, who was simply dressed and com.
pletely oblivious to all around her. Very
young she was, and very beautiful as
well, with her golden hair and oueenly
bearing. While all the Others We're
anxious and expectant she was calm and
unconcerned, as she remembered the poor
young man Of Saint Marks Day, con
trasbng him with the present king hunt
ing for bride. And She smiled as she
thought
Well, the time had arrived for the am.
bassador TO enter the hall. Grim and
stately he came in with his attendant
retinue. Kneeling before the doge, hr
presented the petition Of his master and