The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-08
"A Venetian
Episode
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER


rival was either by the stlletto IN
the dark or by poison, there lived IN
Venice one Andrea Casini, gentleman
of wealth, whose only daughter, Lita,
was just coming to marrlageable 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 young man Of equal
rank with herself, no objection was
made to their union. Signor Ricardo
Centimiri 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 a promenade for the wealthy
denizens of Venice Signorina Casini
and her fiance were riding in the la
ter's gondola, bowling to their friends
and acquaintances as they passed. A
stranger from Rome was also riding in
a gondola with 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 was
and on being informed took measures
to secure an introduction.
When an Italian noble of those days,
especially a De- Medici, saw woman
he wished to possess, he stopped at
nothing Crispi visited the Palazzo
Casini and, being member of the
most powerful family in Italy, was re-
ceived with marked favor. Though he
knew that Slgnorina Lita was betroth-
ed 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 II 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 |
Slgnor Crispi made his proposal earlier |
Signor Casini had no doubt that all |
would have gone well. Crispi simply |
bowed to indicate his sorrowful obedi- |
ence to the young lady's wishes
Soon after this Crlspi saw Ricardo |
debark from his gondoln at the steps |
of the Palazzo Casini. Crispi ordered |
his own gondoler to draw up at the 1
steps and followed Centimiri TO the 1
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.
a n A..
another room comforting as to how
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 I
wine and glasses on a salyer. Stop I
The wine and asked the man to whom
be was taking IL. The latter told him
that 1t was for signorina Caslni and
her guest
Present my compliments to the ST
ynorina and ask II may be permitted
10 join her." said Crispi
Permission could not well be refused,
Ind Crispi was shown 10 the room
where the lovers were.
Il desire" he said, with a profound
low, TO congratulate you both on
FOUR engagement / wish you, signor-
ma. as great happiness a. ! feel dis
for myself"
Responding 20 these self sacrificing
words. the lovers proceeded to Tecipro-
ate. the three pledging one another IN
glass OF wine Centimiri was de
eived. but lAta was not She believed
hat Crispi had some sinister intention
nd resolved % be on her guard with
view 20 thwarting a. Presently she
sked 20 be excused for a few mo
nents and left the rivals together
taking position in a room where she
ould see and could not be seen. she
aw Crism. when Centfmlri was not
hserrIng him. drop something 70 his
irars glass
She reentered the room. and Cnspl
aid ~ her:
n was 8usf alout 90 ask signor
.eufimii 20 pledge me IN token ~ his
opd win May I nsk the same ~ yOuf-
Iifa consented Taking M enc ~ fhe
1ree glasses % the table she hande1
% Ricardo. tha one Cr8sfi bed tam
cred win she handed O. him and t91k
10 third herself
LEI rs DRINK she sid. 10 e bong
.ien1shlr between us
Orsr crisfTs fare rarne e ioat that