The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-12-29

ny FRANCES A. DURIvAcE.

BY FRANCES A. DURIvAGE.
A few years ago, during the period of
he Roman carnival, when the people of
the Eternal City feel bound to so mad
for certain number OF days to indem-
nifty themselves for the gloom Of the
greater part Of the year. Mr.. Martin
Rogers, a merchant of New York, ar
lived in Rome. and took up his quarters
at the Minerva hotel. One Of the first
things he did was to call on his friend.
Hon. Mr.. Richard Lesley, American
ambassador to one of the foreign courts,
On leave OF absence from his duties for
short time. favor solicited to enable
him to see Rome and do as the Romans
DO" | must state here that the incident
am about to relate is simply fact, but
hat the reader will yainly seek in the
New York directory for the name of my
merchant or in the Blue Book for that
of my plenipotentiary, as the former,
who told me the anecdote, made me
promise beforehand, if l ever put the
narrative into print, not to mention the
real names of the parties.
Mr.. Lesley received his friend very
courteously, and in answer to ques-
ton of Rogers about the carnival, an
swered:
Its slow-slow-my boy. Nothing
like the Fourth of July. am tired of all
these tomfooleries; the noise and row
have given me the headache, and I'm
nearly blind, for yesterday I rode
through the Corso without putting my
mask on and got my eyes full of white
dust from the confounded confetti. So
I'm i'll to-day. So if you'd like to go
among the maskers and mummers, can
lend you my costume was foolish
enough to buy an entirely new and cost
ly rig"
The ambassador then showed the mer-
chant his properties.
Here's shirt Of chain armor. I'd
put that on, because it glitters, for my
stupid valet. not knowing it was an
tique, valued for its venerable look,
must needs scour off the rust. Here's a
scarlet mantle, laced with gold, a cap
and feather, and mask"
The merchant rugged himself out and
sailed forth into the streets. He fell
rather foolish as he descended the stair
case, but once out of doors he was in a
crowd of maskers and lost his sense of
individual ridicule.
He soon reached the Corso, which
was densely crowded; the narrow side
walks being packed, the streets full of
carriages, all the balconies filled, and
the air full of white dust from the
-plums.
All at once a hoarse voice Whispered in
his ear:
Richard Lesley! swore revenge
and the hour has comet"
At the same instant keen pain shot
| through his frame, the force of blow
delivered from behind, sent him off his
feet, he fell forward on the people before
him, who divided to the right and left
and lay at the foot OF the marble steps
! motionless.
All was wild commotion and dismay
| The crowd made way for an officer OF
the police, who was near at hand, and
| who demanded:
"Who is this man? Does any one
know him?"
81 do" said man, advancing; che is
my master-the Hon. Richard Lesley
an American ambassador. l recognize
The dress. l brushed it for him this
morning just before he gave me holt
day"
Lift his mask and give him air,
said the police officer.
Beppo. that was the servants name
| obeyed, but when he had removed the
mask, exclaimed:
This is not Signor Lesley" a.
! But you identify the costume?"
"Yes--I can swear to it," said Beppo
BY this time Rogers opened his eyes
gave other signs of life, and even strug
| gled to rise to his feet.
Beppo and the police officer assisted
our friend into the shop of an apothe
cary, who proceeded at once to examine
the merchants hurts. On removing hi.
cloak a few drops of blood were seer
near the base of the spinal column, ant
from the folds of the mantle a knife
with the point broken, fell to the floor
This the police officer took charge of
The wound itself, though painful
proved to be slight, for the chain mai
had saved the life of the wearer anC
broken the assassin's weapon.
The diplomatist was astounded wheI
he heard the details of the adventure.
''You are sure the would-be-murdere
called you Lesley, Mr. Rogers?"
Perfectly sure. Have you any NOR
tai enemy in Romeo"
None that know of. am a stran
ger here"
ANY inveterate enemy that Nigh
have followed you from the city for tn
purpose Of revenge?"
Hal" exclaimed the ambassador
springing to his feet, Il have it! 1t il
mystery no longer Last year wa
active in procuring the extradition Of
Belgian murderer who fled to the Unitet
States. on the passage over and il
prison he swore revenge on all partie
concerned in his capture and that o
the plumber. for the sake of which h
had committed assassination. AS il
luck would have it, he escaped from tn
Belgian authorities some time ago. an,
has not since been heard Of That wa
the man who came so near killing you