Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1894-02-27
BY THE RED DEATH.

About the middle OF the seventeenth
century there lived in Venice n certain
naughty duke so rich and powerful as
to be feared by friend as we'll as foe,
for that was u period of constant muir
der and assassination.
1t was the custom of this nobIeman
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 a red domino, with blood red
mask conccaling 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 aud dread and came in timo 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 ieweled 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 sudden pressure upon
a 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 adventurer:'' angrily
demanded the duke. ''Go, seek him out
and say it is my pleasure TO see him at
my palacer'
The stranger was found and readily
accepted the invitation of the nobIeman,
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 tho Count Of Palmera!"
AT the mention of this title the attend
ant of the duke gave a 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
plebeian would have been too humili-
ating. There should be but one such
face in Venice, countl'
So think /, dukel''
II may hope, then, you viii take
early leave of our proud city!"
Il was in hopes your race had made
arrangements to quit the countryl''
You are insolent, countl''
So are you, duke!''
By the bones of ST. MarkP' the duke
began in malignant rage, but added,
in quite different tone, with forced
smile:
Your pardon, count; 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 friendehip. -
'Ithank your lordship, and trust you
will honor my banquet On Friday even
ing next with your presence, when
viii do myself the pleasure to introduce
your lordship to some OF the first nobles
of Venice. .
AS Antonio loft the presence OF his
noble master, he seized the FIRST oppor-
tunity to say to the count:
Ny lord, have private word for
your ear. We are countrymen.
s,Indeeds'
ssYes," pursued Antonio. speaking
low and in Spanish. Il know yoar
house well, and would serve you-
Your life Ia in danger here. "
so 1 believe. .
~ think this banquet is given ex-
pressIy to destroy youI''
II had my fears. y
stYet If you viii come 70 it and fol-