The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-11-26
"Do YOU 90 soon ?"

| oI1d41 StdJ ucIoly IOI O oOAOoAouAOh
that my countrymen enjoy at this sea-
son, and which I am pledged to attend"
~ know" said the countess. cit is
November"
He went off bravely enough, leaving
the little woman standing with her
pretty head on one side and her eyes
| cast down.
1t ought to be easy for young fellow
of fortune, CT talent, of many resources
| both within and outside of himself, to
shake off the thought of little woman
standing with her eyes cast down. To
that end the American occupied him
self during the days that interviewed be-
fore the Thanksgiving dinner. Besides
having promised to be present he
feared his absence, coupled with break
ing off his known intimacy with the
Countess Vittoria, would give rise to
remark and set gossip all agog.
One, two, three times twenty four
hours went slowly round. 1t was the
eve of Thanksgiving day; it would be
his last evening in the Comparini pal
ace, his last but one in Rome. Poor
Thorn was seized with desire to see
once more the face that had cost him so
much divine misery, to look once more
into the eyes that had banished him-a
| foolish, inconsistent impulse known
only to lovers. Half unconsciously he
tramped out into the great Railways
| and up and down the cold staircases,
imperfectly lighted by wretched oil
| lamps. There was confusion on the
| floor where the countess lived. People
| were hurrying in at the doors, and then
men seemed carrying in great boxes.
| He could hear Teresa's shrill voice call
ing on the Madonna as they stumbled
| awkwardly under their burdens. The
noise OF arrivals ent on for a long
time; then it was hard to hear anything
distinctly, the place was so large ard
the walls SO thick. Yet there was the
sound of voices and laughter, and at
last some serving-men went out in a
crowd, and Teresa's shrill whisper called
after them ''Bring enough for them all
| to eat"
Enough for them all to eat" Tt
was party, then. Perhaps more had
| come than were expected, and TIE care
| full Teresa had to make provision duly.
In moment Thorn convinced himself
that the stout marquis, who had proba-
bly, recovered from his tumble, was
being entertained by Countess Vittoria's
most winning smiles. In his excited
mind he could see them both; that
waxed musteche chow he hated it y ;
and Vittoria from her danny foot TO
the topmost braid of her little head, he
could see her, too-see her smile ard
coquet and handy compliments with
that detested fat fellow he had knocked
downstairs. Thorn ragged, shut him
self in the studio, walked up and down
all night, and looked like a specter in
TIE morning. Toward noon he fell
asleep, and waking with a start at 5
D clock, he got up to dress for the din
rer, heartily wishing all over. Trying
to cogitate some verse, or toast, or cpl
gram for the occasion, he spied among
the brushes on the dressing table
dainty envelope. Evidently Giuseppe
! had brought it while be slept. "The
Countess Companies compliments, and
she would be happy to see Signor
Thorn" (the h very carefully written)
sat 5 O'clock"
Thorn vowed he wouldn't go; then,
seeing it was already 5 o'clock, hur-
| ried his toilet. He whisked out
clean handkerchief, he dashed little
| Cologne water about, still swore he
| wouldn't go and be ortured anew, hasti-
" left his rooms, and marched straight
down to the familiar great door on the
second story. He was ushered as far as
the little antechamber. The drawing
room was closely shut. From another
entrance the countess advanced to meet
him. She was charmingly dressed, but
very gentle and shy.
She hoped she saw the signore well.
"That could hardly be expected" he
answered. all resentment gone, as he
looked down upon the tender, girlish
little creature who was SO dear to him
81 have been," she faltered. "think.
ing very seriously since we talked tai
other day; and last evening"
| Thorn braced himself to hear she had
accepted the marquis at the party.
"-last evening / made up my mind.
IL want you to feel at home, so 1
arranged o little surprise. I hope you
will like it." Here she opened the
drawing-room door. ''They make a
dreadful noise, but it pleases me-for
your sake"
The tears were in her eyes, she was
ready for his arms, yet Thorn stood in
mute amazement. The Comparini draw
ing-room was half filed with tables,
and on every table was crowd of COB
bling, screeching, tapping, living tur-
keys, some tethered, some cooped, but
all joining in the dreadful din.
"What is the meaning" Thorn be-
gan, in wild establishment
The countess broke Gown completely.
"It's the custom of your country on
this day-you told ne so-turkeys on
tables" she sobbed. I'll try to be a
perfect American"
You're perfect angel" said Thorn,
and all Countess Vittoria's tears, by
some strange law of hydraulics, ran
down an American-cut waistcoat.
"And DO you feel very much at
homer she asked, in happy whisper.
81 never felt SO much at home in my
life," he answered, clasping her closely.
ST knew you would. I'm so glad I
did itall right. The men found it hare
IN fastan ao mary of tham on the tables