The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-24
LESLEY'S ENEMY.
BY FRANCES A. DURIvAGE-

greater part of the year, Mr.. Martin
Rogers, a merchant of New York, ar
eived 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
ala about to relate is simply fact, but
that the reader will vainly 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 1 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-
tion of Rogers about the carnival, an
swered:
TITS slow-sIow-my boy. Nothing
like the Fourth of July l am tired of all
these tomfooleries; the noise and row
have given me the headache, and I'm
nearly blind. for yesterday l rode
through the Corso without putting my
mask on and got my eyes full Of white
dust from the COMPOUNDED confetti. So
I'm i'll to-day. SO IL 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 a shirt Of chain armor. I'd
put that on. because 1t glitters. for my
stupid valet. not knowing 1t was an
tique. valued for it's venerable look,
must needs scour OF the rust Here's
scarlet mantle. laced with gold, 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
crowd of maskers and lost his sense of
individual ridicule.
He soon reached the Corso, which
was dsnsely 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
showering-plums.
All at once a hoarse voice whispered IN
his ear:
Richard Lesley swore revenge,
and the hour has comel"
At the same instant a keen pain shot
through his frame. the force Of a blow,
delivered from behind, sent him of his
feet, he fell forward on the people before
l. ! - IL
Ind lay at the foot Of the marble steps,
motionless.
All was wild commotion and dismay.
The crowd made way for an ofieer of
the police, who was near at hand, and
who demanded:
Who is this man? Does any one
know him7"
Il do" said a man, advancing; che is
my master-the Hon. Richard Lesley,
an American ambassador. I recognize
the dress. brushed It for him this
morning just before he gave me a holt
day"
Lift his mash 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"
''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 oficer assisted
our friend into the shop OF an apothe-
cary. who proceeded at once to 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 Of.
The wound itself. though painful
proved to be slight, for the chain mail
had saved the life of the wearer and
broken the assassin's weapon.
The diplomatist was astounded when
he heard the details of the adventure.
you are sure the d-be-murderel
called you ey. Mr.. Rogers?"
Perfectly are. Have you any NOR.
tai enemy in Rome?"
None that l know of. I 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
springing to his feet. II have it, 1t is
a 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 plumber. for the sake of which h,
had committed assassination AS Ill
luck would have 1t, he escaped from the
Belgian authorities some time ago, and
has not since been heard Of. That wa.
the man who came so near killing you
will see Cardinal Montovari at once
and give him the villains description"
And while you're about It," said tn,
merchant, rubbing his back. you ma,
we'll faIrc