The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-06-12

THE MISER'S HAND.

ILL Vulk11Ill ~ Ah1VOs
One evening in the year 1890. wom-
N, enveloped in a long black mantle,
Was walking toward the bridge of the
1eiAato in Venice. Her steps were weak
MnA uneven, and at intervals she looked
Ezsund with a hurried, frightened
glance She paused on the center of the
bridge and looked down with shudder
On the clear, blue waters of the Adriatic;
then closing her eyes and murmuring
tAintly, "Antonioi my Antonio! Adienir
she prepared to throw herself over the
Parapet.
Just As she was falling man rushed
fsrward, seized her with a powerful
grasp, and. drawing her back, said:
Girl! destroy not thy life which Provi-
deaoe has given thee. If thou art un-
hAppy enter thy church, kneel on its
SAA1aowed pavement, pour out thy sor-
-rDw and thank thy Maker that thou hast
bssm preserved from crime-from rush
ing uncalled into his presenceT
The girl impatiently tried to shake
III the strong, kind hand that held her
-Ma said: Let me go! must der
In another moment she tottered and
3sn to the ground, where she lay with
7out sense or motion. Her preserver
raised her head, and, in order to give
.hsr air, drew back the veil which con-
eealed her features. They were very
1syeay, and the man gazed on her with
Sspnder and admiration as she was grad
1AAy restored.
Dy degrees she told him who she was
md where she lived. Her history might
- IN, A
0E1ricious father, poor lover, mutual
bud unhappy love
Tainly did Maria plead with her IA
Shsr, = rich innkeeper Of Venice, the
ssAee Of her hover, Antonio RarbarigO,
- handsome gondolier beneath the
Drsdge of Signs At length this evening
Aer father. Gianettini. forgot himself 50
1Ar ~ to strike his daughter with some
violence, and she, with far more culp-
ahae neglect Of her duty, ran wildly from
hOme, and, as we have seen. was arrest
sa just ON the verge of committing sui
niAe.
The person who had saved her led her
yu1k1y to her home, and, having given
hsr mp to her father, seated himself in
- obscure corner Of the hostelry Gia-
nestini received his child with rude re-
Roeches, and bidding her retire to her
aWwn apartment and betake herself to her
Wsnning, he cast a suspicious glance at
80 person who brought her home,
WAose stout, manly figure and firm
ssantenance, however, deferred the inn
ksaper from addressing him in . hostile
manner.
A Maria turned to depart q young
Dsnaoaier appeared at the door and fur
Szeay approaching her. said, "Dearestl
asarest.-
GsAoessini rushed forward, shouting:
-s0us Of thisi Out Of my house, fel-
7swF
Uhe young man did not stir.
Have you fnishedy' he said, in q good
Ann0red tone. Wherefore these hard
Wardss Have you never loved, Signor
0ianettini? Have you totally forgotten
fAe feelings Of your youth? Know you
1o< that since | was ten years old and
Maria FIVE we have loved each other
110dlyf viii you not, then, allow us to
hAlaow your old age with our tears9"
don't want to have q parcel of beg
BArs for my children" said Gianettini
roughly.
'1Beggars!" replied the young man
You surely forget yourself"
Mot l, indeed" returned the father.
refuse my consent. Therefore get
You gone"
'-But hear me for one moment, 4"
pleaded the gondolier.
"Tis useless. again repeat that
sach as You shall never wed my daugh-
TN. Your position is too mean"
Certainly. you are rich" replied the
yo1ng man; but what hinders that
should become so too? A stout arm, a
brave heart, an honest soul will, with
Tia help of heaven, do much"
"A FOOLS dreamr'
May" said Antonio, lit is sober sense.
Prince Lorenzo de Medici was q mer-
chant; Duke Giacomo Siorza a cowherd." I"
The man in the corner had hearkened
Astentively to this dialogue. He rose
and, touching Barbarigo's shoulder, said:
well spoken, gondolier. Courage brings
success. and struggles bring conquests.
Maria shall be my wife"
'.Neveri" cried Gianettini
Master jew" said the unknown.
sUning disdainfully toward him, ..if
this youth could lay down 600 pistoles
would you object to the marriageY'
BE that as it may, you must remem-
ber that be is now little better than a
pauper.r
'-Pshawr said the unknown; ..bab-
haers are more tiresome than thieves
Before tomorrow You shall handle that
smm"
So saying he drew from his pocket 3
piese Of parchment and a crayon, and
taxning toward a table began rapidly to
sAnetch mans hand. It was represent
ID open, impatient, with hollow palm.
~ II expecting q shower OF gold pieces
It had so to speak, sensuous. avari-
sse0s expression, and one OF the fingers
~as encircied with a massive ring.