The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-08
The Mad Last VIscOntI.

Fairly Tremendous is Marjorie's Bowen's
story OF The Viper of Milan" (McClure,
Phillips a Coz. The author Of this tale,
as we learn from a number of English news
paper notices that the publishers send OUT
with it, was only Is years old when she
wrote her book, and moreover her nam
is not really Marjorie Bowen. The pub
fishers send out, too, a portrait of the young
story writer, who is distinctly good look
ing, and 80 we have a good deal of prel.m-
mary interest and encouragement.
But the story itself, as we have declared.
is strong matter for the reader. Names
of emphasis besides viper might properly
be bestowed upon the last Visconti cela-
braied here, as the reader will not he de-
layed in learning. Truly infamous man,
this probably mad Duke of Milan. and
Marjorie Bowen shows him UP in fine fashion.
She shows him first driving his old father
and mother away to their death. On a day
in early summer in the year 1860 this Tair
roc from Milan to the dark castle az
Brescia. Such mocking state as they rode
ini Their coach, "a cumbrous struCt re,
swung high on massive gilded wheels" II
" a open, shaded by an embroidered
canopy OF scarlet silk. Four black horses
drew II, and at the head OF each horse
walked a giant negro dreSsed in scarlet
and gold. The pair in the coach were I'D
and ~shrivelled, but richly dressed and
adorned. The old mans thin and yellow
hands were loaded with rings. The Old
woman painted and bedizened under a
large red wig, was weighed down 10y a
gown OF cloth Of gold" and wore pearls
around her neck. Behind rode the Duke,
a slight and handsome man of 80, on a
horse that was likewise led. As he rode
he read aloud from a roll OF parchment
that he carried in one hand. What h. read
was poetry. In his other hand he carried
a whip with which he leased and OCCASION
ally cut sharply the aged pair. his father
and mother, in the coach in front of him
The reader will begin immediately 20
wish that something dreadful may toial
the Duke. As h tale goes on he will wish
IL more and more. II only the 18th ored
and wickedly wronged Della Scala, p.ke
Of Verona. could lave got fairly holi Of
him as he came galloping back, a r1Elng
mailman, from the murder Of his old father
and motherl The story records The
horse was upon him Swift as THOUGHT,
Della Scala leaped and clutched the 10 i.e
in a hand of steel. But the mad um,..s
defeated him. He was dragged ~frr..ri
like a reed; only his own great s-~...'h
for the moment saved him. And now his
wild shouts we're added to the rider IS u"
struck upward with his dagger; tr .0r"
blindly. DO you not know me, Nls.-..
he called. d you not know me. tIt
his dagger was dashed from him. The
horses foam blinded him al it sprara ..-
perately on. He heardiViscontI's ..'.'n
scream, and as the earth whirled r..na
with him caught one fleeing Glimf- y
the white, distorted, hated fac -
he was prone upon the ground. AM vs.
CONT, squirting on his way. locke. A
upon him with triumphant yells.
Poor Della Scala! Deserving and "
man as he was. fate was again Lou.
IL only his ally, the commercial sp tei
Duke Of Carrara. had not allowed h-eA
to be bribedl II oply the subterraaean