The Meeker herald., 1910-10-08

thelf way ~ me4n9 o. poison.
Al that time Italy was divided up
into 9 number Of petfy prineipaiiftss
and dukedoma Thsse tofmAs raless
srs still called princes and dukia. but
their power has bssn merged 10 the
hing Thers was formerly grand
duke Of ope Of thsse little territories
wboas power was abso.uts sad who
used It simply TO crafty this poison
passion which pervaded Italy II that
time. he had = way 1t . feast Of
ho0ortne Z guest In this wise: he
would send bis glass to the gssst With
his compliments. propostng to change
glasses With him. Tue guest who ac-
copied the honor would then rias. pow
and drink from the dukes glars. The
wine In II would be poisoned and the
last the guest would ever drink.
The dukes domain took In prfncl.
paiity adjoining on the south. the duke
having poisoned all the membess Of
the reiguing family-save one princess
land then appropriated their domin-
Ion. This princess he brought to his
capital and desirrd to marry bef that
be might unite the two countries un-
der 4 common dynasty. She was nm
willing. and through motives Of policy
be preferred to visit rather than force
her Into the proposed marriage.
: One night while the grand duke was
sitting At table on q raised dais.
number Of guests seated Al tables be-
meath him. the door opened and .
stranger walked in. unannounced aud
nninvited- There was = vacant chair
beside the princess. and after defefen-
italy asking her permission he accept
ed II and " once enserrd upon an ami.
mated conversation With her.
The grand duke looked on aston
sshed and mad With jealousy. While
he vas homely and misshapen, the
stranger was astonishingiy handsome
He paid DO more attention to the bost
than. II BE- had mot besn present. The
duke turned to one Of his attendants
and ordered a glass Of wine. The at
tendant. who was the of1ciai poisoner.
went out and In 4 few moments r.
turned With glass Of wine on
aalver.
take II to the stranger" said the
duke. with my compliment, ana sey
that would pledge him with an ex-
change Of Eiasaes."
The glass. with the message. was
carried to the ssraneef, who took the
former from ths salvef. asose and ID
dressed the duke: .si' =.
III would he boldsess i0desd Tor ne
to drink your highness wine whsn the
iddy whom you ere expected TO no0of
with your sovereign hand Y beside
me. will therefore pass the eompai-
msnt to her
Holding the dukes glass 10 one hand
and bis Owl In the other. be was about
to offer the dukes 70 the princes when
the duke thundered:
.who are you who dares insult %
BY refusing our ducal favorr
The stranger set both glasses ON the
table and replied:
u ask your highness' pardon. Have
I otfepded?'
"You have"
-Tben ! sposokt1e. The o0enss was
unintended~
Taking one Of the glasses from tbs
table. be placed II on the saiver. and Il
was taken TO the duke. who. halt In
toxicated ~ be was and irritated With
the man who might have cost the
princess her life. ~ soon n he saw
that the stranger had pledEed him,
drpnk II down In 4 few minutes hle
eyes were starting from his bead. bis
face became purple. his tongue pro.
tr,ded. he fell over dead.
Then at signal from the stranger
several men from among the guests
starting from their seats, drew their
swords and stood beride him.
.Aiy friends" said the stranger. ad-
dressing the company. ~ am the only
legitimate living male heir to one-hali