Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1903-06-25


teenth century there lived in Venice
a certain naughty duke so rich and
powerful as to be feared by friend
as well as foe, for that was a period
OF constant murder and assassina-
tion.
II was the custom of this noble
man to give costly banquets in the
great hall of his palace, but there
was always one thing to mar the
festivity of the occasion-the con-
slant dread of some secret agent of
death.
And what tended still more to
mystery and fear on these occasions
of festivity was the presence of the
Red Mask. Next to the lord of the
feast, on his left hand, always sat
silent, mysterious figure in a red
domino, with blood red mask con-
eealing every feature.
Before the guests separated he
always rose, gave his hand to the
noble host and then went slowly,
solemnly and silently around the ia
BILE, shaking hands with each.
AS all believed that he was the
dukes secret poisoner, he was re-
garded with awe and dread and
came in time to be spoken of and
known as the Red Death. How his
fatal purpose was effected none
could say, but it was conjectured
that upon one of his jeweled fingers
he wore what was known as the
"death ring" a ring curiously con-
structed, with deadly poison in the
interior, which could be injected by
sudden pressure upon a concealed
spring into the hand of any one TAX
en- in apparent friendship.
In the very zenith of his life and
power the duke one day received the
singular intelligence that a gentle
man had made his appearance in
Venice so closely resembling him in
face and figure that more than oIfe
person had mistaken him for his
grace.
"Who is this adventurer ?" angri-
ly demanded the duke. "Go, seek
him out and say it is my pleasure to
see him at my palace"
The stranger was found and read
lily accepted the invitation of the
nobleman, who received him in his
private apartments, with only one
attendant present.
The resemblance of the two was
certainly very striking.
"Who are you?" demanded the
duke in an imperious tone.
81 am the Count of Palmera."
AT the mention of this title the
attendant of the duke gave slight,
quick start and fixed his eyes search
ingly upon the stranger.
81 am glad at least to hear you
are nobleman," pursued the duke,
cas- the thought of having my like
ness borne by plebeian would have
been too humiliating. There should
be but one such face in Venice,
count %
$50 think I, duke"
81 may hope, then, you will take
early leave of our proud CITY,"
81 was in hopes your grace had
made arrangements to quit the
country"
"You are insolent, count"
$50 are you, duke"
"By the bones of st. Markw the
duke began in a malignant rage, but
added in quite a different tone with
forced smile:
"1 our pardon, count. / am too
hasty. 1t is not the fault of either
of us that we look alike and have
tempers alike. If We cannot be
friends, there is no need of our be-
ing enemies"
II am disposed to meet your grace
half way in either anger or friend
ship"
81 thank your lordship and trust
you will honor my banquet on Fri
day evening next with your pres
enee, when | will do myself the
pleasure to introduce your lordship
% some of the first mobiles of Ven
6ntonio left the presence Of
his Noble master he seized the frs
opportunity to say to the count:
"My lord, l have a private word
for your ear. We are countrymen."
EIndeed ?"
"1es," pursued Antonio, speak
ing low and in Spanish. 81 know
your house well, and I would serve
you. Your life is in danger here"
$50 ! believe"
81 think this banquet is given ex-
pressly 10 destroy you" :.
81 had my fears"
'FYet if you will come to it and
follow my instructions you shall not
only be saved, but you viii become
duke of Francavella."
'EHow? Speak,
: "Seem indifferent to my remarks
now, my lord. Have you ever heard
of the Red Death, my lord?'
"Never, to my knowledge"
"It is briefly this: On the nights
of festivity figure in red domino
and red mask sits near the duke. At