The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1895-12-30
By the Red Death.

give costly banqucts In tte great hall or
his palace. bat fiicre was always one thing
to mar the festirity of the Gcttsion-the
constant dread of some secret agent OF
death.
And what tended sull more To mystery
and fear on these occasions of festiviry
was the presence of the Red Mask. NeNtto
the lord Of the feast. ON his left hand, al
ways sat u silent. mysterious figure in
red domino, with a blocd-red mask con-
cealing ever feature.
Before the guests separated lie quietly
rose, gave his hand to the Robic host, and
then went slowly, solenniy and silently
around the table, shaking hands with each.
As all believed that he was tue dukes
secret poisUner. lie WAS regarded with awe
and dread and came in time 10 be spoken OF
and known 4 S the Red Death. How his fatal
purpose was effected none could say, but it
was conjcciured that upon one Of his jew
eled fingers lie wore what was known as the
death rus''-a ring crriousiy constructed,
with deadly poison in the iH,ernir, which
could be injected, by Il sudden pr, ssure upon
concealed spring, into the hand OF any
,ne taken ia IPparentfriendship.
In the very Zenith OF his life and power
the duke one day received the singular in
telligence thai gentleman had made hisap-
pearance my enice SO closely resembling him
In face and III; urc that more than one person
mad nIista ken him for his grace.
"Who Isl his ativeBturcr" anSriiy demand
ed the duke. Go. seek hlni out and say
1t is my pleasure to see him at my palace,"
The stranger was found and readily &C
copied the invitation of the nobleman, who
with only one attendant present.
The resemblance of the two was certain
ly very striking.
who are you?" dema Dded the duke in
an impcricus tone.
II am the Count OF Palmerar'
AT the mention of this title the attend
ant of the duke gave slight, quick start
and fixed his eyes searchinly upon the
stranger.
Il am glad at least to hear you are
nobcman." pursued the duke, las the
Thought of having my likeness borne by a
plebeian would Lave been too humilating.
There should be but one such face i'll Venice,
COUNT
so think j. duke!'
Il may hope, then, that You will take
early leave OF our proud cityr'
rangemeuis to quit the country"
You are insrent, COUNT
$50 are You, dukei'
by ;hc iuEes ut ST. Mark the duke be-
gan. in a malignant I'd ge but added, inquite
different tone, with forced smile:
Your pardon, count, j am too hasty.
1t is not the fault of either of that we
look alike and have tempers allie. If we
IA fria ,,f
being enemies.'
Il am disposed To meet your grace half
way in liner anger or friendship
Il thank your lordship, aud trust you will
honor my banquet ON Friday evening next
with your presence, when / will do myself
the pleasure TO introduce your lordship to
some of the first mobiles of Venice"
As Antonio lett the presence of his noble
master he seized the first opportunity to
say to the count
My lord have private word for your
ear. We are countrymen.'
Indeed"
Yes" pursued Antonio, speaking low
and in Spanish. II know your house well.
and l would serve you. Your life is in
danger here
$50 believe"
Il think this banquet is given expressly
to destroy you.''
Il had my fears
Yet if you will come to it and follow
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 lord9''
Never to my knowledge"
at is briefly this: On the nights of fes-
tivity a figure in red domino and red mask |
sits near the duke. At the close of the feast |
this figure shakes hands with all present,
and it is rarely that some one of the num- |
Der does not die shortly after. Does your |
lordship compreheDd?' |
Il think do-secret poison
''When this Red Mask takes your hand on |
that night he will leave within it paper |
of instruction, which you must find an OPP |
portunity 10 read in secret and follow to |
the letter. |
How do you know this?'
You shall know if you come |
Il will come though how am to know |
you mean me well?'' |
'If meant you i'll, my lord, what need |
10 warn your
'True-it is enough will he here'' |
Punctual to the appointed time, the Count |
of Palmera appeared at the banquet of the |
Duke of Francavella. At the close came |
the Misunderstanding round of the dreaded Red |
Death.
The count. being a stranger, seemed the |
most indifferent of any, as was natural he |
should. Hepoured outmore wine and drank |
and then seemed to reflect. In this mood |
he held the small paper which he had inst |