Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-06-13

while the Doge and his pampered
ambassador show us our meaner rank
by parading in their gaily-painted
craft"
cay, by the grave Of St. Mark, we
Venetians are craven slave 10 sub
mit!"
eff one but dared break the decree
to learn the penalty"
"The penalty is death. Did you
not hear the Doge's warning. He
said in the chamber at our last meet
ing, the first who broke the decree
should forfeit his head, as did the
traitors of Old
cit may be only an idle threat.
Now, if we could but find some
Jealous youth who would rather be a
dead martyr than living nobody,
we might test the Doge's power"
'I grasp your meaning The pop
ulace, you think, abhor this decree;
once it was broken, they would never
allow the daring patriots execution"
Such, Signor Matranzas, is my
reasoning"
ooh, that we could find such man!
For my heart is set on repeating this
unrepublican distinction"
1--WE may yet vote it in the council
teWe may, we may; but this plan
would hasten matters. But enough
of this for a time. Signor Palombo,
I know YOU came to speak of my
daughter"
81 did, Signor Matranza, hoping for
your confirmation to my suit
"How has she received your ad-
| dresses?"
"But coldly of late; but that I
take to be her coquetry at my impet-
uous ardor."
Know you of any rival?"
"None. Signor Matranza. None
that I own in Venice" and the ro-
tund little peacock smiled ccntemptu-
ouly at the bare suggestion, and
stroked his beard complacently.
II fear you have one, Signor Palom-
| bo."
''Surely you jest, good friend"
"Would that I did; but must speak
of what I know, though it pains
me to wound so old a friend by the
| telling"
Then Signor Matranza related what
he had cleaned from his daughter
as to her fondness for Lord Wilfred
and concluded by saying:
ct is but girlish fancy, after all;
we need not take it seriously
| But the vain Palombo's brow had
suddenly darkened; he did take il
seriously. Gradually sinister smile
overspread his ollie features; then ne
asked:
1Does this tawny lord come here
today?"
ST expect him every moment
''Does he know of my accepted
position?"
81 think not"
'Were you about to deny him."
ct was, for have pledged my wore
to YOU"
"Then grant his suite favor me.
pray, Signor Palombo, do not take
offense. I know your worth; nc
senator in Venice stands higher in my
esteem
"You mistake me, signor. CRAM
his suit on one condition-that he
prove himself as worthy of your
daughter as l."
"That is impossible,
'The compliment I may not deserve
But if he is denied he becomes hero
! in Annita's eyes, Therefore, if yor
set him some courageous but impossi
| BILE feat, and he fall, he is no longer
hero to her maiden fancy. So do
accept a rival to dispose of him"
"I see the wisdom Of your scheme
But what impossible feat can de-
mand?"
Signor Palombo's eyes sparklet
with fiendish satisfaction, as he re
piled:
can exploit, by which, if he succeed
in carrying through, he will lose hi
head, and I a presumptuous would-b'
rival"
An attendant entered at this juno
ture, saying the young Englishma1
was below awaiting an audience.
81 will speak with him presently,
said Signor Matranza, and the servan
retired.
Eagerly and hastily the crafty Pa
lombo explained his plan. When hi
had heard it, Signor Matranza OBJ
served:
Nothing could be better. But
fear this lily-faced swain has not the
courage to attempt
Palombo retired to an adjoining
room and the young Englishman was
ushered into the senator's presence.
III.
Lord Wilfred, of Davenport, was
stalwart, cheerful, openfaced f1axen'
haired young man. with bright blue
/ eyes, and breezy frankness in his
manner which smacked of life or
4 4lo onoYo GOO