Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-03-23
MisEeIlamenMs.
BY THE RED DEATH.

About the middle of the seventeenth
century there lived in Venice certain
naughty duke so rich and powerful as to
be feared by friend as well as foe, for
that was period of constant murder
and assassination.
Il was the custom of this nobleman to
give costly banquets in the great hall of
his palace, but there was one thing to
mar the festivity of the occasion--ths
constant dread of some secret agent Of
death
And what tended still more to mys-
terry and fear on the occasions of festivity
was the presence of the Red Mask.
Next to the lord Of the feast, on his left
hand, always sat silent, mysterious
figure in q 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 ST.
lently 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
spoken of and known as the Red Death.
How his fatal purpose was effected none
could say, but it was conjectured that
upon one of his jewelsd fingers he wore
what is known as the "death ring"-a
ring curiously constructed, with deadly
poison in the interior, which could be
injected, by sudden pressure upon q
concealed spring, into the hand of any
one taken in apparent friendship.
In the very zenith of his lifo and
power the duke one day received the
singular intelligence that o gentleman
had made his appearance in Venice so
closely resembling him in face and figure
that more than one person had mistaken
him for his grace.
"Who is this adventurer ?" angrily
demanded the duke. $50, seek him
out and say it is my pleasure to see him
at my palace"
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 Pnlmera p
At the mention of this title tho at.
tendant of the duke gave a slight, quick
start and fixed his eyes searchingly up
on the stranger.
Il am glad at least to hear you are a
nobleman," pursued the duke, ''as the
thought OF having my likeness borne
by plebeian would have been too hu-
initiating. There should be but one
such face in Venice, COUNT"
$50 think |, duke !"
81 may hope, then, you will take
early leave Of our proud city!"
81 was in hopes your race had made
arrangements to quit the country"
"You are insolent, count J"
80 are you, duke p
'By the bones of st. Mark :" the
duke began malignant rage, but
added, in quite different tone, with
forced smile.
your pardon, count am too hasty.
Il 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 on Friday
evening next with your presence, when
L will do myself the pleasure to intro
duce 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
your ear. We are countrymen."
'1ndeed p
EYES," pursued Antonio, speaking
low and in Spanish. II know you
house we'll, and | would serve you
Your life is in danger here"
$50 | believe"
81 think this banquet is given ex
pressly to destroy yen !"
! 81 had my fears"
"Yet il you will come to it and follor
-. a