The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-15
The White Gondola.
"a Tale of Old Venice. In Five Chapters
Chapter II.

l
How can l serve you, my lord?'
| "Signor Matranza," ne said, with mari
ner's d:rectness, Il am the younger son
of an English nobleman. From a boy I
have beer fond of the sea; my father gave
| me ship and sent me forth TO seek my
| fortune. A year ago 1 returned from the
| Indies and China, where / had bettered
| my condition by trading. My good ship
| lies at Trieste. In a week she comes 10
the LIDO, when l purpose TO return TO my
native shores. 1 have loitered here in We
nice some montns, charmed by the dark
| eyes and bewitching grace of your fair
| daughter. In short, / come TO ask her
hand IN wedlock."
| In spite of his preconceived aversion, the
| young sailors frankness won the Senator's
| admiration.
Did my daughter bid you come to me?"
NO; but her eyes babe me speak, and,
| holding it honorable TO consult You first, I
| have done so.'
| Signor Matranza felt twinge Of con-
| science at playing false with such an up
! right nature. but nevertheless ne replied
1 Lord Wilfred, I will be frank with you.
| You have a rival; between you twain
/ must decide"
I "A rival. And who is hep asked VIII
fred.
| "A Venetian of good fortune The bal
I ance is thus even betwixt you. Therefore,
| 10 the bravest man 1 Will give my daugh-
ter's hand, for 1 hold bravery next TO
honesty
What will he DO to win your favor?"
He has told me what he will do, but
! I exact something more; so, il your cour-
| age is equal to your ardor, you may sue
| ceed.''
III il is possible 1 will undertake it,
1T is an exploit fraught with danger"
Name it, that may judge, Signor Ma
| tranza.'
1T is this: A week from today the Doge
gives his daughter in marriage to Count
| Palatza. In the evening there will be
| grand fete to celebrate the event. On that
occasion 1 require you to appear in white
gondoIa gayly decorated with flowers, and
| pass before the Doge and his retinue."
But wherein lies the danger?"
For two centuries Venice has been
cursed with an obnoxious decree which
| provides that all gondolas shall be painted
| black, except those of the Doge and for
| eign ambassadors. Now, 1 and many OF
the Senators wish to abolish this absurd
| custom, and believe that, once the decree
is broken, it will be forever repealed"
Il see no great danger in the feat"
There is nothing TO fear but the dis
| pleasure of the Doge.'
What penalty can he infiict?"
THAT rests with him. Bamshmert II
may be, at the worst"
II welcome Punishment with SUCH a
! sweet companion. / am inclined to under
take IT, But, Signor Matranza, grant me
until tomorrow, when L will give yen my
| final answer"
So young Wilfred took his departure, and
| the sckemers were delighted at the sue
cess of their despicable plot.
The next day he returned, having learn
ed in the meantime what the Doge had
| threatened. and, suspecting treacnary, he
| had decided TO act cautiously.
"S.gnor Matranza," he said. IT will ac-
cept the exploit
All 1 admire your determination -"
81 ask but one condition.
ooh, a condition. with disappointment.
THAT l may freely confer with your
daughter until the night of the fete.'
| do you doubt her affection for you!'
| NO; but such sweet communion VIII
| keep me from faltering; for, as you know,
many of us are only valorous when in
spired by love-"
Signor Matranza smiled, considered a
moment, and thought to himself, 'Palombo
| need not know this and then assented.
| 1t shall be as you wish. The compact
between us is that you shall twice parade
ir a white gondola before the Doge and
his retinue-at the wedding fele and on
Ascension Day"
Day or night, whichever I may find
most discreet said Wilfred.
IF the night, it must be done before the
Doge departs"
And achieving this, 1 may wed your
daughter" asked Wilfred.
IF you succeed
4 will succeed. But, Signor Matranza.
let it be further agreed between Us that
| 70 one shall know of our purpose but our
sclves."t
That you need not fear. for the cause
of equality is dear TO my heart"
81 men it is compact"
1T is a compact" And they shook
hands grayely.
May now speak with your daughter
81 viii send her TO you. Adieu for a
time"
| Saying this, the Senator left him. with
growing admiration for the young sailor
courage. Now. Lord Wifred had only coz
varsed with Annita on two or three occa-
with mutual friends and while waiting on
| the P.azzetta.
| Presently Annita entered, glanced shyly
al her admirer, and after some hesitation
moGestly said:
sly father says you would speak with
| me-"
If my tongue were not paralszei by
| your beauty, fair Annita, / would
| Feminine love delights in the shallow
artihce of banter. hoping 10 conceal ty
| evity the true tender passion, for fear a
lover should think her 100 easily won. An.
nita now fell back on this transparent sub.
| terfuse.
How long has your tongue been thu:
! afflicted, Lord Wflfred?" she asked with
| an arch smile.
Ever since / first beheld your sweet
face. and my heart succumbed TO youl
lustrous eyes"
Shall 1 retire while you recover you,
| fiuency?''
Nay, sweet Annits, for you are my phy.
sician; you have brought the remedy
u? BY what incidence"
BY TIE melody OF your voice. Il set:
my heart throbbiBg and gives me back my
speech"
1T must be light heart that is SO easily
moved"
"AH the Fighter for The light ot you
, eyes. which. I perceive. can be merry.
he gayiy said. taking her hand, gentl,
; .ading her 10 q couch, and seating him
. ! self beside her.
After they were seated Lord wiifred con
tinue5:
Il fear you think NE somewhat brBsque
! Now tel me truly. how 90 you find me?'
Wanting n fstteTy and lacking n as