Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-04-21
KING GIACOMO'S BRIDE.

On the steps of palace quite near the
famous Rialto, or Grand Canal, now one
of the most notable palaces in all Venice,
listlessly stood 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 a 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 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,
that this stranger youth was the repre-
sentative of lordly house, young
prince, and no beggar, who had been
banished from his fathers court at
Cyprus-not only that, but prosecuted
by cruel mother, and without money
or friends, and in deep dependency had
wandered to Venice, 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
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 defiantly, much surpris
ing his tormentors.
Boys of Venice, shame on you to treat
stranger sol The very fisher lads could
show you better mannersl"
Taken aback by these sharp words from
the daughter of one so august and of
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. It 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. II 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.
aWhy is the face 50 famiIiar?" he
asked. @Ah, / have itl / know her-I
know that young girlln
He had fallen desperately IN love with
the picture even before that discovery
was made.
you know her, sire? / think not, I"
answered Andrea, astonished.
Il do-by my honor, do, said the
king. She is the brave maiden who, in
my poverty and loneliness, when, like an
imbecile, Iwas crushed by disaster, de-
Tended me ON the Grand Canal at Venice.
for which owe her lasting gratitude, {"
bowling 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
cleserness.
But there are many fair daughters IN
Venice, and Catarina is very young
only q child. You must seek other
maidens, sire, he said. seeing the inter-
est the king evinced.
But he did not hear the inward resolve
which was something like this: Il am
my own master. I must see Catarina
and perchance shall make her queen. j"
Full Of this matrimonial project, an
ambassador was dispatched to Venice,
soliciting an alliance with the great re-
public, and asking the hand of some high
born maiden for King Giacomo. But
secret instructions, you may be sure,
were given him whom to choose.
So the courier came to Venice, and it
was decided that ON . certain day one of
the fairest daughters from each Of the
paErician families Of the city should NEST
u the ducal palace, 10 order that the