Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-06-27
asked

Who are they, Sandro?" asked
Lord Wilfred.
''Fratini, the Mock Doge' Of tho
day, and his mate-two clever Condo
Tiers, but we do not fear them, sig
nor"
But they are slowly overtaking
u.s."
"They have been in the revels all
day, and are filed with stale wine;
their strength will not last" answer
ed Pietro with contempt.
''Still, they have less weight to
carry"
''True, signor, but we shall outlast
them" interposed Sandro.
Nevertheless, the foremost gondola
continued to gain slowly upon them.
The rest of the pursuers had one by
one given UP the chase.
A gust of wind now suddenly
swept over the lagoons, thunder
pealed and doomed, and dense black
clouds hid the pursuers from their
view, except when now and again
vivid flashes of lightning revealed
them for an instant.
For two miles the chase continued;
gradually the lightning passed away
to the west, but they could hear by
their pursuers' voices that they were
gradually dropping astern.a
make for the LIDO cried Lord
Wilfred to his men.
In and out among the numerous
propelled the craft with marvellous
power and precision, frequently avoid
ing a collision by the mere width OF
a blade. After them, straining every
muscle, chased the emissaries of the
Doge, sometimes gaining, and some
times losing by collisions, and the
while shouted "Stop the traitor!
Stop the traitor!" But the occupants
of other gondolas, thinking it a race
among the jewellers, paid no heed to
them.
Annita sat trembling, with her
hand in Lord Wilfred's. anxiously
looking back at their pursuers, and
constantly murmuring: ooh, that you
should endanger your life for me! !
am not worth such brave sacrifice"
''There will be no sacrifice, my
darling, for they can never overtake
u.s." he replied. What say you,
Sandro?''
"Nevern' answered the stalwart
fellow. his face aglow with pride in
his strength and skill.
They were now getting clear of
pleasure-craft. There had been now
and then a faint flash of lightning,
a distant rumble of thunder, and pres
emily there came few drops of rain.
''The storm is coming" cried Pie
tro. Throw away the torch: then,
in the gathering gloom, they cannot
see to follow u.s..
Then finally there came a pause;
the splash of oars following was 81
lent, and a fierce imprecatlon was
flung after the refugees.
''Ha!" cried Sandro. ''Fratini has
given up the struggle. Signor, the
race is over. told you they could
not last.
Bravo, good lads!" exclaimed Lord
Wilfred. ''You have accomplished a
good nights work"
1t was as Sandro predicted. In their
half-drunken frenzy, Fratini and his
mate had exhausted their strength.
The lovers embraced each other in
mute thankfulness for their escape.
They heard no more of their pursuers,
and in less than an hour Lord Will
fred, with Annita, stood on the deck OF
his ship waiting the coming of her
father.
Signor Matranza joined them before
midnight, and after recovering from
his surprise at finding his daughter
there, warmly congratulated Lord
Wilfred on the success of his daring
exploit Then he counseled putting
to sea at once which the young lover
eagerly agreed to.
A few days later the vessel sailed
into Messina, where the lovers were
married. and where they fingered, to
enjoy their honeymoon; while Palom-
DO 1anguished in prison awaiting the
Doge's pleasure. Journal.