The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-04-16
A Venetian
Episode
By Ii

q rival was either by the stiletto in
the dark or by poison, there lived in
Venice one Andrea Casini, q gentleman
Of wealth, whose only daughter, Lita.
was just coming to a marriageable age.
The Palazzo Casini stood on the bank
of the Grand canal, between the Rialto
and st. Marks.
Marriages among the Venetians were
at that time usually contracted for by
the parents of the bridegroom. but in
this case, Signorina Casini having fall
en- in love with a young man Of equal
rank with herself, no objection was
made to their union. Signor Ricardo
Centimir was a young man Of wealth
and family, respected by every one.
and the match was regarded as an eX-
cellent one.
One afternoon, when the Grand ca
nal was u promenade for the wealthy
denizens of Venice. Signorina Casini
and her aance were riding in the lat
ter's gondola, bowling to their friends
and acquaintances as they passed. A
stranger from Rome was also riding in
q gondola with a view to seeing the
beauty and fashion of Venice and on
meeting Signorina Casini was struck
with her beauty.
This man was one of the De- Medici
family. who in its time played an
important part in the history Of Italy
and whose members committed so
many crimes. though his relationship
came through his mother. His name
was Lorenzo Crispi. On seeing Signor-
ina Casini he inquired who she wac
and on being Informed took measures
to secure an introduction.
When IN Italian noble of those days,
especially a De- Medici. saw a woman
he wished to possess, he stopped at
nothing. Crispi visited the Palazzo
Casini and, being a member Of the
most powerful family in Italy, was re-
ceived with marked favor. Though he
knew that Signorina Lita was betroth-
cd TO Ricardo Centimiri. he proposed
for her hand.
The proposal interrupted the pleas
ant conditions with reference to the
engagement of Lita and Ricardo, for
Signor Casini insisted upon his daugh-
ter breaking with him and accepting
Crispi. This at once threw the lovers
into a sea Of trouble. Lorenzo Crispi.
having made his proposition. pretended
to leave the matter to be settled by the
Casini family, but really had determin-
ed that Lita should be his bride.
Signor Casini found It more difficult
to force his daughter to give up her
lover and marry Crispi than he had
supposed. After much persuasion and
many threats he told Crispi that he
feared he must forego the honor done
him by a member Of the distinguished
De- Medici family, for his daughter
was SO wrapped up in Ricardo Cent?
miri that it would be impossible to
force her to break with him. Had
Signor Crispi made his proposal earlier
Signor Casini had no doubt that all
would have gone we'll. Crispi simply
bowed. to indicate his sorrowful obedi-
ence to the young lady's wishes.
Soon after this Crispi saw Ricardo
debark from his gondola at the steps
Of the Palazzo Casini. Crispi ordered
his own gondolier to draw up at the
steps and followed Centimiri to the
house. calling for Signor Casini Learn
ing that Casini was not at home. but
was expected shortly. Crispi went into
the library to wait for him.
Meanwhile Ricardo and Lita were in
/ 0~4$hor ,v0~ corFor,irNr NO kn hnu,
they could parry the efforts that were
being made to force Lita to marry the
stranger from Rome. Crispi saw a
lackey pass through the hall with
wine and glasses on a salver. Stop
ping the servant, he drank a glass Of
the wine and asked the man to whom
he was taking 1t. The latter told him
that 1t was for Signorina Casini and
her guest.
present my compliments to the ST.
gnorina and ask If l may be permitted
to join her, said Crlspi.
Permission could not well be refused.
and Crispi was shown to the room
where the lovers were
II DESIRE" he said, with a profound
bow. ito congratulate you both on
your engagement. l. wish you. signor-
ina, as great happiness as I feel dis
appointment for myself"
Responding to these self sacrificing
words. the lovers proceeded to recipro-
cate, the three pledglng one another In
q glass of wine. Centimiri was de-
ceived. but Ltta was not. She believed
that Crispi had some sinister intention
and resolved to be on her guard with
a view to thwarting 1t. Presently she
asked to be excused for a few mo
.ments and left the rivals together.
Taking position. in a o where she
could see and could not be seen. she
saw Crispi. when Centimiri was not
observing him. drop something 10 his
rivals glass.
She re-entered the room. and Crispi
said to her:
II was just about to ask Signor
Centimir to pledge me in token Of his
good will. May l ask the same of you?"
Lita consented. Taking up one Of the
three glasses on the table she handed
It to Ricardo. the one Crispi had tam.
pered with she handed to him and took