The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1903-09-12
BIT OF
PLEASANTLY

torigInal.I
It was in the days of the Borgias,
when there were two methods COM
mon for getting rid OF an enemy, one
to stab him in the back, the other to
poison him.
Anton CardI was infatuated with Wit
torIa Cnreno, but she being married
woman he had concluded to wed Lucia
Sanchez. whom he did not love, but
who possessed n fortune. No sooner
had the wedding taken place than 81
gnor Cnreno fell III and died, leaving
VIttoria a widow. Then Car1i was be
side himself with anguish that he Ind
not waited. His wife had some inkitns
of the cause of distress he could not
conceal. and since she loved him she,
too, was miserable. One day she met
Vittoria and turned her back upon her.
why do you treat me in this way9"
asked VittOria.
Because you hold my husband In
tllralI.''
HE holds himself in thrall," replied
Signora Careno. II care no more for
him than that" and she snapped her
fingers.
Lucia was encouraged at this. think
ing that IL Anton's love was not re-
turned 1t would ut last wear itself
out. She told her husband what Wit
toria had said. but 1t Ind no effect up
on him. he believing that it was nat
urnI denial for yittoria to make to his
own wife. Indeed, when Vittoria, to
prove what she had said, made n friend
OF Lucia, Anton was infatuated enough
10 suppose that Yittorin was deceiving
his wife with a view to gaining oppor-
tunitIes to be near him. Supposing
| that the woman he loved would marry
him II lac were free to marry, he re
solved to get rid OF his wife by poison.
Lucia was used to taking every morn
Ing mt II O'Clock light breakfast or
luncheon. rs we would call 1t in Ameri-
Ca. consisting of n few fancy biscuits
and a glass of wine. A servant usually
set it out on table some time during
the nlorrins; for her mistress TO take at
the usual hour. One morning Anton
passed through the room where the
luncheon stood ready. 1t was 10 o'clock,
and his wife would not partake OF 1t
for an hour. Nevertheless he resolved
to avail himself Of the opportunity to
drop poison in the wine. He would re-
main near and see that no one except
she for whom 1t was intended drank 1t.
While he was waiting, summons
came to him from the grand duke, with
whom he stood in high favor. to come
at once to the palace. There was moth
Ing to do but to obey. Should he leave
the glass OF poisoned wine or empty it
where it would do no harm? There was
no one in the house, for his wife had
gone out. She would return before IL,
drink the wine, and the culprit, being
away Mt the time, would not be sus-
pccted of foul play. He resolved to
leave IT where 1t stood.
He had scarcely left the house when
he met Yittoria.
Good morning, Signor Carpi," she
said. II am going to call upon your
wife. Is she ut home?''
NO" replied Anton; ''she is out. You
had better choose another time"
Il will go in and wait for her. She
has told me that she IS never out long
in the morning" And she proceeded
on her way.
Il must go back" said Anton TO the
dukes messenger, a young noble of
powerful frame and of a merry, devil
may care disposition.
What To keep company with d
lady when your sovereign commands
your presenter"
1T is very important that return TO
my house at once"
''And l say it is important that you
obey the dukes summons"
Anton started TO go pack, DuI Ine
messenger caught him about the waist,
and MS he was OF light weight carried
him on, laughing at his struggles con-
slderiug It fine thing to be keeping
him from a meeting with lady. The
fear that NittoriH might drink the poi
soncd wine gave Anton strength to re-
slst, but with all this to stimulate him
he was unable to break away from his
tormentor. who carried him into the
presence of the duke. whom he told
with great merrIment how he had kept
him from an appointment.
''Hn. In. SIgnor Carpi!' laughed the
duke. 1--WE must make an example OF
a married man who desires to teton
tete with a lady In his cwn house dur