Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-06-27
THE WHITE GONDOLA.
A Story Of Old Venice.
Continued.

Then you demand in vain!" re-
torted the old senator, f1ercely.
What! Do you deny me?"
II do. You first proposed this af
front to the Doge; and now that the
noble youth may succeed, you would
betray him. will consent to no such
treachery."
even though you lose my friend
Ship"
Gwen so! No threat will change
me-"
Then, Signor Matranza, you had
best beware of me as a foe. For, by
st. Mark! both of you shall feel my
vengeance!" With this they parted;
and the maid at once acquainted her
mistress with all she had heard.
Annita sought her father.
my child" he said, I have
quarrelled with Signor PalOumbo, for
he means to betray Lord Wilfred."
"Oh, father!" she gasped, throwing
her arms about his neck in distress.
Have no fear, my child. Your
Know you of his rendezvous
II do; I do! I will let him know"
she cried, impatiently. Il will send
my maid at once"
"And tell him this,''' continued her
father. eff he succeeds, will join his
ship at the Lido late tonight, and you
shall follow in the morning. We
had better not go together, for Pa
lombo WILL have spies at work. Then,
my dear, in some Adriatic port, you
shall be joined in wedlock."
ooh, father, father! how can
thank you?" cried the girl, as she
kissed him rapturousIy, while tears Of
gratitude filled her beautiful eyes.
1--WE must leave Venice for time.
my dear; for Palombo will hesitate
at no villainy to injure me now"
Signor Matranza rapidly made all
preparations for leaving. Then, tell
ing his daughter to follow him in
the morning if he did not return that
night, he went forth in his gondola
to watch events.
When her father had departed, An
nita hastily summoned her private
gondola and proceeded to the rendez-
vous Tin a side canaD where Lord
Wilfred's craft lay concealed, for she
wished to be sure he was made aware
of his danger. When she found her
lover she breathlessly told him OF
Palombo's intended treachery, and
pleaded with him not to attempt the
perilous feat for her sake.
"Ah, give me up! give me up! |
fear my father will be sacrificed by
this INSCRIPTIONS Palombo. He is
now his enemy because he would not
join in betraying you"
Young Wilfred stood perplexed,
deep in thought, and irresolute for
some seconds, and then observed:
'Palombo comes pretending to aid
me, you say?'
Eyes. But do not trust him! All,
do not trust him, Wilfred!'
"But villas / would an adder!'
he said fiercely.
Then he led her into the cabin OF
the white gondola, and tenderly said:
''Your father, Annita, intends to
keep faith with me, have now no
doubt"
"He does, Wilfred; he does; I am
sure, I am sure!"
"Then, my darling, I know I shall
succeed. Will you face this exploit
with me?'
"Ah! nothing would content me
more than to share your danger"
"And if I fail -"
ct will still share whatever is to
come, for I know no world without
you'll
"Then may the angels guide our
gondola into placid waters-in heav-
en- or earth-I care not which, so
share it with you'll"
This tenderness was interrupted by
Sandro warning the lover that a
strange gondola had twice passed
down the canal. eve should be
moving, signor."
"They are the spies of Palombo,"
said Lord Wilfred. HE is coming
pretending to aid us, but he really
means treachery, and shall be paid in
kind, as BELTS such a bastard. Now
you and I, Sandro, will lead in the
small craft, and signorina and Pietro
follow in the other. If this Palombo
accosts us-as doubtless he will
you shall pretend to accept his advice
and bid him lead the way. When he
has gone we will change to the other
craft again, remove the covering from
the small one, and send it after him;
and we will escape in the opposite
direction while he leads the Doge's
emissaries on false chase-which
will go hard with him, if captured"
'"Tis well planned. signor."
''You can trust this new Condo
lier?"
with my life, signor. He is heart
and soul with us"
Lord Wilfred then rapidly explained
his purpose to Annita, the transfer
was made, and the two crafts, keep