The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-11-17
WHEN A QUEEN
WAS MADE
BY cURRAN R. GREENLtY
Copyright. iaB. by T. C. Mcclure
BY cURRAN r. GREtNLt,

1 out the mtTTlultnl Oul. NdAeu Tue
louder with the coming of the stars
There was glitter of golden banners
along the Grand canal and the silent
hurrying of many gondolas, for Venice
was en- fete. The treaty with Cyprus
had been formally ratified. and that
day the republic had formally adopted
the slim patrician maid, 3iughter of
Venice, that she might become the
mother OF kings TO be.
/ A great destiny for the shy child of
scarce fourteen years. But as Caterina
leaned from her easement. the golden
hair falling down the wall in nimbus
light. her thoughts We're not OF King
James de Lusignan nor that storied
kingdom OF Cyprus oversee. not of
them. for maiden thoughts are white
winged birds that go where they list.
but Of one slender youth whose eyes
sought hers across the darkness, where
he stood I'm the shadow OF the closed
portals of the Morosini palazzo across
the canal. 50 near that he could note
the CLEAN OF the scarlet light on the
golden head, so far that the sword OF a
nations destiny flashed between them.
A kings bride-what chance had he.
Andrea Morosini. cavalier and poet,
and Morosini. the ancient enemy Of
her house?
There had been days when old Cor
naro's daughter had watched concealed
behind her easement draperies to see
him go forth with the young knights.
There had been soft starlit nights
when he had watched that selfsame
easement and poured forth his soul to
the silken sweet tones of his lutte One
night when her nurse nodded drowsily
the small white hand had dropped a
great languorous white rose into the
prov Of his gondola, and after that
there had been a moment In the great
cathedral when he had pressed close
and held the little hand for a moment
In his. That was all. and there could
be no more for Cornaro's child. the
daughter OF Venice. but the lad had
dreamed his dreams and gone merrily
forth 10 battle with the Genoese. II
had been a month, a long month. when
he returned, and all the bells were ring
ing In honor of Caterina.
The twilight died, but the blaze OF
festal beacons flashed from tower to
tower. Over there In the Cornaro pa
lazzo there was perfect carnival OF
music and laughter. Andrea's face grew
whittier in the reflected glare He could
see as the breeze blew aside the cur.
tains many figures passing 70 and fro
In that upper room. They We're robine
>, for her sacrifice in that maiden cham
>, Der that had been his hearts shrine fol
two long years.
No longer a Venetian maiden, the
ceremony that would presently take
place before the high altar of st
Marks would make her a crowned
queen. Well. he would go to the war:
/, again. There was always the Genoess
:, to battle with. He might even win tn,
holy sepulcher.
!. Was there no way: He would have
!, given his soul for one word with he
face to face. Andrea flung the lut'
i. far out, where Ii sank into the dark wa
ters. He would never need IL again
- Overhead all the bells of Venice callet
TO one another, and the lap, lap Of th'
;. tide sobbed beneath as the under not
OF human pain that beats a minor ton
,a to all the JOY OF life.
I, Cateripa stood up straight and tai
n in the midst OF her maidens. The jew
eled robe fell close TO the round. youn
limbs. heavy with its weight OF pearls
Pearls and rubies were twined in til
"A golden curls. and the fair. round arm
were banded with glowing gems of tn
orient. Across the childish breast
N above the folds OF cloth OF gold,
:, baldric Of emeralds rose and fell wit
. every frightened breath. and the viii
rose color was gone from cheek an
re quivering lip.
,ol Straight and tall in her young majei
ty. but over the blare OF the trumpe
D, the fash of the jewels. deeper than tn
l.. voice Of Venice in loud acclaim. cam
the low note OF lutte that was stille
II forever. There was a strangeness
~ her throat. a blackness before her eye
nj Awed at her silence. the flock {
maidens fell little away from wheI
n she stood. and then there came an ol
IN woman. bowed and weary. through II
l. velvet portals.
When the attendants would hay
ne barred the way Caterlna held out b,
hand. As the old woman bowed b
Id fore her she opened the palms of h'
H. brown hands au instant. so quick
81 that none saw bat Caterina. who DIRE
ut q quick breath and turned TO the wal
lie Ing throng with n new authorlt
ed Leave u.s. would have speech vii
ly the dame alone"
or Wondering. they left her. and as Il
/. door changed 10 the old woman slipp,
the Iron bar into place and then sto,
i'd up. the gray wig thrown of. the woI
Mt an trappings cast aside. Andrea Nor
an sinl.
One step toward Caterina, and
:. held out his arms. With a low. 81;
'y cry she nestled into them. and for o.
zee long moment or heaven bis lips lay
J hers. while below the Grand canal pl
ne sated with the music and triumph OF
in' queens bridal
ss' The seconds licked away. There W
ng no past no future. Then St MARI
called to the outermost mole. and {
III sound OF feet came along the sto
corridor. pausing at the barred dot
s. Caterina started and paled. Her faith
ed the Cornaro. The steps died avs
he Then q noise behind them startl
them. Not ten PAGES Guido corna
er' leaned on his great sword, and thu
frightened eyes We're met with 10