The Washington herald., 1915-05-30
A Sailing Delayed.

SalAlhk DcIAscu.
1t was in those days when the times
called Medieval were beginning to
merge into the era of Modern History
that the swiftest bark on the Lake of
Geneva, the Winkelreid. heavily laden
with cargo and crowded with passen-
gers. was, one afternoon. making her
way toward the town of Vevey where
the ancient festival of the canton OF
the vaud, the Abbaye des Vignerons,
was about to take place.
The departure of the vessel from
Genoa had been delayed because OF a
rumor that the official headman OF
Berne. Balthasar by name, had taken
passage upon the Winkelreid and the
numerous company of intended travel
ers strongly objected to making the
voyage in such company.
To put out upon the lake with
headman aboard was, as everybody
knew, a sheer flying in the face OF
Providence. So not only the officials
Of the port, but committee of the
messengers examined every person who
passed through the water-gate of the
city.
Poke Fun at Herr Muller.
But the abhorred person had not
been discovered, each intending pas
senger successfully passing the exam
ination, and especially had the crowd
amused itself when a quiet, meek-look-
Ing man. seemingly of the middle con-
,iition of life and of an air altogether
aim and unpretending. had passed
Trough the gate.
Here have we Balthazar at last,
ried Pippe. a Neapolitan juggler. who
Was one of the examining committee
Of the passengers. look at the fierce
md bloody minded creature" at which
words the crowd laughed and the man,
who gave his name as Herr Muller.
seemed to shrink into himself. And
now the Winkelreid was speeding up
the lake before westerly breeze
which, though it still held true, showed
signs of failing.
For lured by lust of gain, the mas
ter of the bark. who was called Bap-
tiste. had added to the delay in the
vessels sailing by waiting to take on
Genoese noble, Signore Gaetano
,irImaldi. and his two attendants, who
arrived at the watergate just as the
search for Balthazar being over. the
Winkelreid was about to cast off.
Masso. or ii Maledetto.
Forward Pippo. the juggler. amused
the passengers of the lower station with
his antics. his fortune-telling. and his
approximations: the meek-looking pas
Senger, Muller, sat silent and alone,
nalf concealed amid the cargo; the pas
Srncers of distinction We're gathered aft
~ space which seemed by common
consent to he left free to them. and up
and down narrow bridge of planks,
which extended above the cargo. walked
= rugged. stalwart man Of clear. un-
rinching eye and determined visage.
whose carb partook of that of a sailor.
He seemed not to he entirely unknown
among the passengers who had ad-
dressed him as Masso or sometimes as
II Maledotto-hoth of which names he
answered to. seeming to take the latter
Il.-omened one in good part.
In fact. in the underworld of the times.
Masso or II Maledetto was known as
~"puted smugeler. both by land and sea.
md a man much to be feared withal
.v those who crossed his wrath. He
Mas accompanied by large shaggy dog
+ the Newfoundland breed. which was
lied Nettuno. and which seemed de-
.,:"d to his master
Renewing Friendship.
"a the group aft the Genoese noble.
'.Irnaldi and the Swiss noble. the
ron Melichor de Willading. both men
= the middle age were recalling their
,oth and that fast friendship which !
.rad ,Aisted between them when. long |
ears before. they had been romantic !
,"unC eallants serving. together in the |
vars-of the Emperor.
4 ran away from Genoa. to see the |
-arnes of Vevey' said Grimaldi. in |
tho hopes. my dear Melichor. that In |
,rossinC the Alps l might see you !
r=ain after the many years we have .
manned apart"
And L. replied the Baron. thought |
ven I left my castle to journey to
ally with this daughter of mine
- Iom am taking there for her health |
hat | might find on the other side of |
',e mountains my old companion-in-arms
iii alive
The Beautiful Adelheid.
The Raron's daughter. the fair Adel-
held. who stood near her father. was
/, Young woman of exquisite beauty and
the only surviving child of the Baron
W allading.
Near her stood a Young man. fair
laired tall. muscular. with a face and
Il ad like a Greek god. He wore the
inform of a captain OF Swiss mercen-
,ries in the service of the emperor. and
;ICh he was.
He had been on leave visiting his ma
i've Switzerland and was now return
ng to join his colors at Mantua. wher
hance had thrown him into the COM
,any of the baron and his daughter-or
,prhaps II was not wholly chance which
,ad directed the Young soldier In the
curse which he took toward Mantua.
For. some time before. being on leave
n Switzerland. and in the neiehborhood
# the castle OF Adelheid's aunt where
he young lady was on a visit. the
Dung soldier had had the good fortune
% save the life Of the heiress OF Will
aiding when her mountain climbing pro-
ensities had placed it in jeopardy.
Love and . Handicap.
The old baron had vainly offered the
outh reward for his daring act. and
eld him in grateful esteem and friend
hip. But Adelheid loved the Capt
iEismuad and he loved her. This. how