Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1907 — UNDER THE ARCH [ARTICLE]

UNDER THE ARCH

On the banks of the Grand canal cf Venice and directly facing the palace of the doge a great group of men and Women were gathered and threatening vengeance on somebody in their midst. On the stone flagging of the canal bank and surrounded by the crowd lay a cursing man, his clothes dripping with water. Near him and held tightly by two men is a small goblinlike piece of humanity, with a tom dress., His age exceeds twenty. His height, not more than three and one-half feet, his dark hair falling over his broad shoulders and his small, black, twinkling eyes give this small fellow the appearance •f a supernatural goblin of the old school. “Oh, if I was only strong enough! If I could only get this water out of my ears and eyes, wouldn’t I have vengeance!” shouts the man on the stones in a raging voice. “Don’t I tell you all ’twas but an accident?” cries out the dwarf, v?fco has no friends in the crowd. “Throw him into the canal. He shall drown, as he well nigh caused Matteo to do.” “Hold, you wretches!” “Senora Valdois,” murmurs the populace in surprise. “Yes,” answered the lady, who is quite young and handsome. “What do you with yon dwarf?” . “A. little devil, senora.” said one of the gondola men, “who in a foul and malicious manner did cast into yon canal this poor and innocent fellow." “ ’Twas false,” stoutly denied the dwarf. “That base coward”—meaning the wet man—“for three days has done naught but drink, and this morning did knock most heavily ’gainst me as I stood on the hank of this canal. Without looking, I pushed him aside, and jthe first I knew’ was his cry for help as he tumbled into the water." “What Is your name?” the lady asked. “Braganta, senora,” the dwarf replied. “You must release this fellow,” the lady said. “But, senora, he,is the pest of the city. We must cast him into the canal.” Senora- Valdois, making a sudden movement, catches the dwarf and has. him at her side. “Now, at your life’s peril, touch him!” cried the brave woman to the revengeful populace. She turns quickly, pushes the dwarf before her. and both quickly descend the Water stairs and enter the senora’s gondola, which rapidly disappears under one of the arches of the doge’s palace. Night on the Grand canal of Venice. Senora Valdois, sitting in her gondola, accompanied by Lucretla, her maid, enjoys the beauty of the night. The great bell of St Marie, pealing oat midnight, makes the senora’s maid asks

“Had we not better turn to home, senora? 'Tls midnight” "That is early for a light night like this. Why, you’re not afraid?" And the lady laughs. The gondola, passing through a dark, long arch under one of the palaces, comes to a sudden stop, and the gondolier’s white, blood smeared face floats op the canal waters, a knife Just then being dri- «n into his heart and throat by a r nge dark man, who a moment aii_. leaps into the gondola. "Don’t cry out,” he says savagely, “or I’ll drive this dagger into your heart!” “Ruffian,” cried Senora Valdols, “what want you here?” "I want gold—l want those priceless rabies and tliose diamonds and that gold cross, which alone is a fortune,” cried the robber. "You shall have nothing. I’ll call for help.” ' “You die, then!” And the robber presented his dagger. “I am resolved to possess them.” During this occurrence the gondola remained in the deep, datV shadow of

the palace arch. The man made a step toward the lady and put his hand on her wrist and with his other hand grasped the golden cross from her neck. Senora Valdois gave a piercing scream. With a fierce cry, the robber turned upon her and raised the dagger to strike. But a small man with flowing hair came through the gondola opening, a strong arm grasped the uplifted dagger, and after a struggle the robber was forced out of the gondola and’ went with a splash into the waters of the canal, where he died in intense torture. Senora Valdois uttered a cry of Joy and surprise: “Braganta!” “Yes, lady,” cried her preserver. “Hearing a sudden cry of distress, lhurried across to this arch, saw that villain attempt your life and was Just ft time.” "• . —;■ -'-/■■■:--■ -.-—"..-fa "Generous man, you have saved my life." “You saved mine this morning. I be ye l:ut repaid the debt.” "For this night’s service, good Bragauta. you shall be well rewarded. My lather's gratitude will lie unbounded. You must accompany me to the palace.” And through the clear moonlight skimmed the gondola, »nor did it stop til) they arrived at the white water stairs that led up to the palace of Valdois, Mercedes’ father’s home. Front. that night Braganta was Installed in Signor Valdois’ palace, whose gratitude for delivering his daughter from death was great. So the remainder of the dwarf’s days were happy and long in the palace of YaJ.dois. ,