The daily Alaskan., 1915-03-30
A Venetian Episode
By WILLIAM CHANDLER

| was just coming to q 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 young man of equal rank with herself, no objection was made to their union. Signor Ricardo Centimlri was young man of wealth and family, respected by every one. and the match was regarded as an eS- cellent one.
 One afternoon, when the Grand ca nal was a promenade for the wealthy denizens of Venice. SignOrina CaSini and her fance were riding in the lat ters gondola. lowing 10 their friends and acquaintances as they mSSed. A stranger from Rome was also riding in rondola 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 Mcdici l 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 Sisnor- ina Casini he inquired who she was and on being Informed took measures to secure an introduction.
 When an Italian noble of tlnse days especially a De- Medici, saw q 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. ceiyed 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 1t 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 q member of the distinguished De- Medici family. for his daughter was so wrapped up in Ricardo Centi, 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 well. Crispi simply bowed to indicate his sOrrowful ohedi. 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 another room cOnferring 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 wine and glasses on salrer. Stop ping the servant. he drank 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 si gnorina and ask if may be permitted to join her." said Crispl.
 Permission could not well be refused. and Crispi was shown to the room where the lovers were.
 "I desire" he said, with profound bow, ito congratulate you both on your engagement l wish you, signor Y, ina, as great happiness as feel dis appointment for myself"
 Responding to these self sacrificing words, the lovers proceeded to recipro- cate, the three pledging one another ln a glass of wine. Centimiri was de ceiyed, but Lita 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 room where she could see and could not be seen, she saw Crispi, when Centimiri was not observing him, drop something in his rivals glass.
 She re-entered the room, and Crispi said to her:
 "I was just about to ask Signor Centimiri to pledge me in token Of his good will. May ask the same of youT
 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 | ,he third herself