The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-06-17

labyrinth OF narrow streets and wind
ing alleys they call the Merceria.
The piazza itself was then ablaz
with the light of countless lamps
Dainty lanterns, colored as the rain
bow, swayed to the soft breeze be
tween the arches of the colonnade No
bles were seated at the doors of tn,
splendid cafes. The music of stringeC
instruments mingled with the louder
sweeter music of the bells. Women
whose jewels were as sprays of flame
many hued and dazzling, hung timidly
upon the arms of lovers. GallantS
staggered in costly velvets and silks
which were the spoil of the generous
east. Even cassocked priests and
monks in their somber habits passed
to and fro amid that glittering throng
come out to herald the glory of sum-
mer's night
And clear and round, lifting them
selves up through the blue haze to the
silent world of stars above, were the
domes and cupolas of the great church
itself-the church which through seven
centuries had been the city's witness
to the God who had made her great
and who would uphold her still before
the nations.
Fra Giovanni passed through the
crowd swiftly, seeming to look neither
o. no 10 In lofk
habit of the Capuchin was his dress,
and his cowl was drawn so well over
his head that only his eyes were visi-
ble-those eyes before which men. and
women, too trembled often. Though
he knew well that an assassin waited
for him in the purlieus of the Church
OF San Salvatore, his step was quick
and brisk. He walked as man who
goes willingly to rendezvous and an
ticipates its climax with pleasure.
When he had left the great square,
with its blaze of lanterns and its babel
of tongues, and had begun to thread the
narrow streets by which he would
reach the bridge Of Rialto smile play
ed for moment about his determined
mouth, and lie drew his cowl still clos
er over his ears.
$50 1t is Rocca whom they send
Rocca, the poltroon! Surely there is
the hand of God in this"
He raised his eyes for moment to
the starlit heaven and then continued
bis brisk walk. His way lay through
alleys, over bridges so narrow
hat two men could not pass abreast
through passages where murderers
urked and horrid faces were thrust
,rinning into his own. But he knew
he city as one who had lived there all |
lis life, and for the others, the rogues |
md scum Of Venice, he had no thought. |
Not until he came out before the Church |
II Santa Maria Formosa did he once
lalt or look behind him. The mystery
# the night was a joy to him. Even in
he shadow Of the church his rest was
tut for moment and as he rested the
neaning smile lowered again upon his
van face
THE play begins" he muttered, while
e loosened slightly the girdle of his
abit and thrust his right hand inside
Z 1.-THE God of Venice give me cour-
ge."
A man was following him now. He
vas sure of it. He had seen him as he
urned to cross the bridge which would
ct him on the way to the Church of
an Salvatore, a short, squat man,
lasked and dressed from head to foot
black. Quick as the movements of
ne Fellow were, dextrous his dives into
orches and the patches of shadow
Inch the caves cast, the priests train
1 eye followed his every turn, num-
cred, as it were, the very steps he
'ok. And the smile upon Fra Giovan-
rs face was fitful no more. He walk
! as man who has a great lest for
Is company.
"Rocca, the fool, and alonel They paw
Re poor compliment, those new
lends of mine, but we shall repay and
lie debt will be heavy" "
He withdrew his hand from his habit. 1
here it had rested upon the hilt of a I
igger, for he knew that he had no
ED of any weapon. His gait was
lick and careless. He stopped often
peer into some windowless shop
here sickly lamp burned before the
cture of a saint and wares which had L
It tempted dead generation appealed d
iavailingly to living one. The idea t
at his very carelessness might cost c
m bis life never entered his head.
e played with the assassin as a cat
18th mouse, now tempting him to =
'proach, now turning suddenly and q
nding him heller SHELTER into the door II
shop or the shadow of bridge a
was sure Of his man, and that GER e.
inly was a delight to him. n
III 1t had been any other but Rocca. il
e clown!' he said to himself. his G
oughts ever upon the Jest. Surely
2 shall know what to say IN hin, -