The times., 1898-01-30

| ship and sent me forth to seek my fortune
A. year ago returned from the Indies and
China, where had bettered d my condition by
| trauing. Ny good snip hes at Trieste. In
week she CONES 10 the Il icfo, when purpose
10 return totiiy natives hores. l have loitered
here in Venice sorie inonlhs, Charmed by he
| dark eyes and ewitching grace OF your
| fair daughter. In short, come To ask her
| hand in wedlock..
IN spite OF Ills preConceived aversion, the
| Young - Hot : irankness Won the senator S
admiration.
did my daughter bid you come to me?''
40, out her eyes bate me speak. and.
holuing il honorable To. consult you first, l
have done So
Signor MatranZa felt a twinge of con-
cience at playing ia lse with such an up
| rignt nature, lit nevertheless ise replied:
Lord Wiifred, l will be frank with you.
You tage a rival; between you twain L
| must decide"
"A rival. And who is hep" asked VIII
fred.
"a yenetianof goodfortune. The balance
| is thus even Uetwixt you. therefore to the
| bravest iian W Ill give my daug hter s ha nd
] for / hold bravery next TO honesty"
what VIII he do to win your favor?'
He has told me what he will do, but
| exact something more; 50, il your courage
| is equal TO your ardor, you may succeed"
IF it is possible, i win undertake it."
1T is an exploit fraught with some da n
! GER
Name it, that 1 may Judge, Signor Ma
| tranza.'
1T is this; a week from toda y the Doge
gives his dughter in marriage TO Count Pa
latZa. In the evening there Will be a
grand fete to celebrate the event. On
tnat occasion 1 require you to appear in
q white gondoIa gayIy decorated with
hpf Is
retinue.n
But wherein lies the danger"
For two centuries Venice has been
cursed with an obnoxious decree which
proyides.t .tBat all gond"ias shall be painted
blac ok, except those of the Doge and foreign
ambassadors. Now and many OF the
senators Wish to abolish this absurd
custom, anu believe tnau once the decree
is broken, il VIII be forever repealed
"A see nu great uaneer ia the rent
There is nothing to fear, but the dis
plea sure OF the Boge.'
Nnat penalty can he inflict?
That iUsts with hil. translucent IL
may be at the worst
u welcome banisnment with such a
sweet companion. l am inclined TO un-
dertake it. But, Sienor MatranZa, grant
me until tomorrow, when Will give you
my final answer
so young Wnfred took his departure,
and tue schemers were delighted at the
success of their des plea hie plot.
The next day ne returned, having
leariIea al tne meautlhle v nat tire Dogc hau
threa tened, and, suspecting treachery, he
had decided to act cautiously.
'.Signor Matranza,' - lie said, Il Will aC-
cept the exploit.
"An! | admire your determination"
II ask but one condition."
''0h, a condition." with disa ppoint-
ment.
''rnat l may freely confer with your
daughter until the night of the fete."
''Do you doubt ner affection for you?"
NO; nut sucn sweet communion VIII
keep me from faltering; for, as you know
many of us are only valorous when in
spired by love-"
Signur Matranza smiled, considered a
moment. and thought to himself, Pa
lombo need not know OF this and then
assentetl 1T shall be you wish. The
compact between us is tina you sha II twice
parade in a white goRdola before the Doge
and his retinue at the wedding fete nd on
| Ascension Da y"
bay or night, whichever / may find
most discreet" said Wilfred.
III the night it must be done before
| the Doge DEPARTS
AND achieving this, may wed your
daughter asked Wnfred.
If You succeed .
| Il viii succeed. But, Signor Matranza, +,
let it be further agreed between us that
| no one shall know OF our purpose but our
| selves"
''Tnat you need not fear, for the cause
of equa lity is dear to my heart
Then il is a compact.
Ii is a compact And they shook
| hands sravely-
May now speak with your daughter
| Il will send her to you. Adieu for a
| time."
Saying this the senator left him with
growing admiration for the young sailors
! courage. Now, Lord Wilfred had only
| conversed- with Annita on two three
occa sions, such as passing on the Grand
! Canal with mutual friends and while
| walking on the Piazzetta.
| Presently A0nta entered, glanced shyly
at her admirer, and after some hesita ton
| modestly sad:
My father says You would speak with
me-
''If my tongue were not paralyzed by
your bea uty, fair Annita, l would
Feminine love delights in the shallow arti-
flee of banter hoping TO conceal by ievity
the true, tender passion, for fear lover
should think her too easily won. Annita
now fell back on this transparent subter-
fuge.
How long has your tongue been thus
afflicted, Lord wilfred?'' she asked, with
an arch smile.
Ever since first beheld your SWEET face
and my heart succumbed TO your lustrous
eyes"
'.shan / retire while you recover your
fluency.''
Nay, sweet Annita for you are my ply
sician; you have brought the remedy
~? BY what medicine?'
'sBy the melody of your voice. 1t sets my
heart throbbing and gives me back my
speech
lit must be light heart that is SO easily
moved
..AIl the lighter for the light OF your eyes,
which. 1 perceive. ca n be merry he gaily
said, taking her hand. gently lea ding her to
a couch, and seating himself beside her.
After they were sea ted Lord Wilfred con-
tinued:
Il fear you think me somewhat brusqne-
Now, tell me- truly, how do you find me?''
wanting in flattery and lacking in as
surance,'' she answered, roguishly glancing
al him.
THAT / am-the assuran nee of your love-"
he quickly replied, with joyous rapture.
That you may not have from mylips.''
''Then will trust your eyes, for hey re-
fleet your heart
Nay; you are mistaken; T.
say L ain, out, Wille you pFISn, VIII
be content to trust the double reflection
Then he pleaded seriously: Dear Annita,
thus it is between us: your father has sane
toned my suit, on condition that / prove
my courage to be worthy Your goodness and
bea uty''
what istne condi ton Of the barter?'' she
asked, aisdainfuliy.
Nay, it is not exactly a barter. L"
''Then what isit? For what is worth hav-
ing of Iiic can he neither bought nor sold,'
cried fha Gill. her eyes Clea ming wit indig-