The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-06-16
BY THE RED DEATH.

About the middle of the seventeenth
century there lived in Venice a certain
naughty duke so rich and powerful as
to be feared by friend as we'll as foe,
for that was period of constant muir
der and assassination.
1t was the custom of this nobleman
to give costly banquets in the great hall
of his palace but there was always one
thing to mar the festivity of the occa-
sion-the constant dread of some secret
agent of death.
And what tended still more to mys-
terry and fear on these occasions of festiv-
ity was the presence Of the Red Mask.
Next to the lord of the feast, on his left
hand, always sat a silent, mysterious
figure in red domino, with blood red
mask concealing every feature.
Before the guests separated he always
rose, gave his hand to the noble host,
and then went slowly, solemnly and
silently around the table, shaking hands
with each.
AS all believed that he was the dukes
secret poisoner, he was regarded with
awe and dread and came in time TO be
IL.
How his fatal purpose was effected none
could say, but il was conjectnred that
upon one of his jeweled fingers he wore
what was known as the death ring
ring curiously constructed, with dead
ly poison in the interior, which could
be injected, by a sudden pressure upon
concealed spring, into the hand of any
one taken in apparent friendship.
In the very zenith of his life and
power the duke one day received the
singular intelligence that gentleman
had made his appearance in Venice so
closely resembling him in face and fig
ure that more than one person had mis-
taken him for his grace.
"Who is this adventurerf" angrily
demanded the duke. go, seek him out
and say it is my pleasure to see him at
my palacen'
The stranger was found and readily
accepted the invitation of the nobleman,
who received him in his private apart
ments, with only one attendant present.
The resemblance of the two was Ger
tainly very striking.
"Who are your" demanded the duke
in an imperious tone.
II am the Count of Palmerav
AT the mention of this title the attend
ant of the duke gave q slight, quick
start and fixed his eyes searchingly upon
the stranger.
Il am glad at least to hear you are
nobleman, pursued the duke, as the
thought of having my likeness borne by
Iol.-~ 4 l.. -
ating. There should be but one such
face in Venice, count!'
$50 think ], duke!''
II may hope, then, you will take
carly lenve of our proud cityP'
II was in hopes your race had made
arrangements to quit the countryl"
"You are insolent, count!'
$50 are you, duke!'
''By the bones of st. Markl'' the duke
began in a malignant rage, but added,
in quite different tone, with forced
smile:
Your pardon, count; l am too has
ty. 1t is not the fault of either of us
that we look alike and have tempers
alike. If we cannot be friends, there is
no need of our being enemies.
II am disposed to meet your grace
half way in either anger or friendship"
81 thank your lordship, and trust you
will honor my banquet OF Friday even
ing next with your presence, when
will do myself the pleasure to introduce
your lordship to some of the first mobiles
of Venice"
AS Antonio left the presence of his
noble master, he seized the first oppor-
tunity to say to the count:
my lord have a private word for
lyour ear. We are countrymen.
"Indeed?"
"Yes,' pursued Antonio, speaking
Ipw and in Spanish. Il know your
house well, and would serve you.
Ysur life is in danger here
$50 believe"
81 think this banquet is given ex-
precisely to destroy youW
II had my fears"
"Yet if you will come to it and fol-
low my instructions you shall not only
be saved, but you will become duke of
Francavella."
"How? Speak,"
"Seem Indifferent to my remarks
now, my lord. Have you ever heard of
the Red Death, my lord?''
"Never, to my knowledge
1T is briefly this: On the nights of
4 festivity figure in red domino and red