The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-11-06
LESLEY'S ENEMY.
by FRANCES A. DuRIvAGE.


Nifty themselves for the gloom Of the
greater part Of the year, Mr.. Martin
Rogers, a merchant Of New York, ar
rived 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, a favor solicited to enable
him TO see Rome and DO as the Romans
do" must stateher that the incident
| am about to relate is simply fact, but
that 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, II 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 a ques-
ton OF Rogers about the carnival, an
swered:
TITS slow-slow-my boy. Nothing
like the Fourth Of July. l am tired all
these tomfooleries; the noise and row
have given me the headache, and I'm
nearly blind. for yesterday rode
through the Corso without putting my
mask on and got my eyes full Of white
dust from the confounded confetti SO
I'm III to-day. so II you'd like to 90
among the maskers and mummers. | can
lend you my costume-I was foolish
enough TO buy an entirely new and cost
ly rig"
The ambassador then showed the mer-
chant his properties
Here's a shirt OF chain armor. I'd
put that on, because II glitters, for my
stupid valet, not knowing Il was an
tique, valued for IT'S venerable look,
must needs scour of the rust. Here's a
scarlet mantle. laced with gold, a cap
and feather, and a mask"
The merchant rugged himself out and !
sailed forth into the streets. He felt |
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 ridlcule.
He soon reached the Corso. which |
was densely crowded; the narrow side
walks being packed. the streets full OF |
carriages, all the balconies filed, and |
the air full OF white dust from the |
showering-plums.
All at once hoarse voice whispered in |
his ear:
Richard Lesley I swore revenge, |
and the hour has come!"
At the same instant keen pain stH /
through his frame. the force Of blow,
delivered from behind, sent him OF 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,
motioness.
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 man7 Does any one
know him?"
Il DO" said a man, advancing; "he Is
my msster-the Hon. Richard Lesley,
an American ambassador. / recognize
the dress brushed II for him this
morning just before he gave me a holl-
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 Sgnor Lesley"
But you identify the cOstume7"
"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 10 examine
the merchants hurts On removing his
cloak a few drops Of blood were seen
near the base OF the spinal column. and
from the folds Of the mantle a knife,
with the point broken, fell to the floor
This the police officer took charge or
The wound itself. though painful.
proved 10 be slight. for the chain mail
had saved the life Of the wearer and
broken the assassln's weapon.
The diplomatlst was astounded when
he heard the details Of the adventure.
you are sure the would-be-murderer
called you Lesley, Mr Rogers?"
Perfectly sure. Have you any NOR
tai enemy In Rome?"
None that know Of. am a stran-
ger here"
ANY inveterate enemy that might
have followed you from the city for the
purpose Of revenge?"
Hal" exclaimed the ambassador,
sprlnging 10 his feet II have ~ It Is
mystery no longer. Last year was
active IN procuring the extradition Of a
Belgian murderer who fed TO the United
States. On the passage over and in
prison he swore revenge on all parties
concerned IN HIS capture and that Of
the plunder. for the sake Of which he
had committed assassination. As I'll
luck would have Il, he escaped from the
Belgian authorities some time ago, and
has not since been heard o. That was
the man who came so near killing you.
I will see Cardinal Montovari at once,
and give him the villains description"
"And while you're about t." said the
merchant, rubbing bis back. you may
as we'll take my passport and have It
vised Immediately. I'm going TO Flor
ence7"
"Pshawl you have not seen anything
OF the carnival"
I've seen enough Of IT," replied Mr..
Rogers; "and it's my opinion that It's
very poor show"
As for the assassin, though the Ameri-
can minister at Rome. Mr.. Lesley and
Cardinal Montovarl. aided by the police,
combined In the effort to discover him,