The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-07-17

hall was one mass OF color, Inc spendiu
dresses of the ladies, the scarlet robes of
the high officials of the republic. the
vestments of the grand old dogc as he
sat in state upon his massive throne, and
the gorgeous array Of the T2 candidates
for the kings choice, all puffed and pow.
dered, and standing upon their high
heeled shoes, tall and stately, made
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 quecnly
bearing. While all the others were
anxious and expectant she was calm and
unconcerned, as she remembered the poor
young man of Saint Marks Day, con.
trasting 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 he
presented the petition of his master, and
asked friendship with Venice.
Waving his hand with the grave air of
authority, the old man said
Here are the very fairest and noblest
of our maidens. Make your choice, and
it will be our pleasure to bestow the one
you may select upon our good King
Cyprus as betits his station and the dig
nifty of Venice"
SO passing from one to another, with
here word and there a compliment for
beauty of form or face. for elegance in
dress, the ambassador suddenly stopped
before the childlike figure, dressed in
simplest white, perhaps the least attrac.
tive in all that youthful bevy, as far as
elegance of attire went.
Are you the daughter of Marco
Conaro. the princely merchant of Mer-
cera?" he asked
81 am, my lord" the girl replied.
my master, the king, greets You
through me. He bids you know that he
has never forgotten the day you defended
so bravely his rights, and he invites You
to share with him the throne of Cyprus.
Do you approve his wish?"
Bowling low, and blushing deeply, she
replied:
1T will be as my father says his will
is mine"
Taking her hand he led her through
that vast assembly and proudly presented
her to the doge.
IF it please you and her father. Cata.
rina, the daughter of Marco Conaro, is
our future queen!"
The ~ defeated maidens stood abashed.
"What a ridiculous choice for a king to
make!" thought they. But they said
not a word
What a ceremonial it was when the
gray haired old doge formally adopted
her as daughter of the republic, her
marriage portion alone being 100, 900
ducats!
| GiacomOs representative stood before
the altar as his personal friend, and he
was married by proxy to the young
Venetian girl, the dOge giving her away.
And amid shouts and music and flying
banners Catarina was solemnly declared
queen.
Grand were the pageants that followed.
Everything was ablaze with color and
decoration. Softest carpets covered the
water steps, at the foot of which waited
one of the most beautiful boats for their
reception-the state gondola of Venice, a
mass of golden decoration. Velvet hang
ings OF crimson and purple hung from
its sides, and banners cleaned every
where. The oars were made of silver
and gold, and the rowers were dressed in
silver and blue. Upon the upper decH
was arranged velvet covered throne in
blue, and chair of state by its side in
gold.
The doge himself led Catarina, in her
bridal dress covered with choicest pearls.
to the boat, where they were seated amid
music and banners. Thus the bridal
train floated down the Grand Canal, to
the quaint old town where King Gacomo
met his bride.
For five happy years all went well,
then the king, never strong, sickened and
died. After her husbands death Cata.
rina abdicated in favor of the republic.
and went back to Venice, always retain.
ing her title of Queen of Cyprus.
Her home was a noble domain, the
home of poetry and of the art. perhaps
more refined and cultured than any in
Venice.
The old palace where Catarina spent
her childhood days and where Giacomo
first met her, is now only pawnbroker's
shop.
So bright hearted girl. you may be
sure, died strong, self reliant woman,
and the story of her life has given to us
a lesson of loyalty and charity which
outlives all other tribute.
Never Again.