The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-11-24

Turkeys! Wuer6 ! anu tu6 COuutoeo
opened her soft eyes 80 wide that Thorn
quite lost himself in their brown
depths.
"Wherep Oh, on the table, to be
sure"
"Turkeys, and little trees, and great
noise on a hot day, and no carnival!
I could never like American ways" The
countess shook her head with decision,
and for the rest of the evening smiled
upon stout, middle-aged marquis, who
had waxed mustache.
For weeks Thorn haunted the old
salon, meeting the stout marquis at
every call, while Countess Vittoria be-
slowed her favors evenly. If she ad-
mired Thorn's last picture, she admired
the marquis new horse; if she let the
marquis play with her fan, she let
Thorn steal flower from her bouquet.
When she was not present, the marquis
glared at the American, and the Amer1-
can whistled softly to himself and
| looked over the stout gentleman's head.
He was tall enough to do it in an aggra-
waiting way, At last matters came to
crisis when Thorn sang a love song to
Vittoria's own guitar, and pointed the
words very dramatically. The marquis
followed him out, and on the stairs said,
very red and short of breath: "You
will fight me, signore."
"Why ?" demanded Thorn, quietly.
"You know why. The Countess
Comparini."
"Well?" and Thorn leisurely lighted
a cigar. ct don't quite see your point.
If you are an accepted suitor of the
lady"
dI fancy I am to be so favored" re-
piled the marquis, fercely.
"Then l esteem the countess too
highly to injure her future husband.
On the other hand" continued Thorn,
with provoking calm and distinctness,
elf you are not an accepted suitor-"
Well, suppose I'm notP" clustered
the marquis, rather betraying weak
ness in his haste.
"Then, Signor Marchese, you are
less than nothing to me. wouldn't
waste the time walking out to e re-
tired spot to shoot you down."
"Then you won't tght?"
"No."
The marquis was purple with rage by
this time, and exclaimed: Coward p
At the word Thorn asked: Have
you pistols?"
81 have;" and valet was beckoned
who presented pair. "Ha you will
fight, then - sreered the marquis.
Thorn made no reply, but examined
one of the weapons.
"Do you observe" he said, still
smoking, "tfie forefnger of that
statue?" It was cast filling a niche at
the foot of the long flight of stairs. AS
he spoke he fired, and the finger, shot
off, clicked as it fell on the marble
stairs. The marquis had just time to
note that, when the American said:
Now this is for calling me coward,
and delivered bow right between his
enemy's eyes which sent that titled gen.
tleman rolling downstairs in a sense.
less heap. Then Thorn went up to his
rooms, the cigar still alight.
Now Teresa, the maid, had overheard
this scene, aud the next day the
countess said : :" An Italian would have
had duel with that gentleman, Signor
Torn"
"We don't shoot fools in America
we whip 'em," answered the young man
"Your ways are not like ours" sighed
the countess, with mock regret, for a
smile was playing i'll that one unmatch-
able dimple.
Countess, could you never like our
ways?'
"They are so singular" she answered,
evasively.
Could you never like an American
a man who loves you sincerely, who will
make of you not plaything, not a
household ornament, but companion,
q friend, wife p
1t is all too strange;" and she spoke
low. st could never get used to you.
You are So"
"Well, so what p
$50 tall and so blonde, and"
$50 ugly"
"No, but so different from us. And
your name-I could never, never pro-
nounceit. Vortinton Torn"
81 will pronounce it for you; I will
do everything for you" He approached
her, and she took fright.
"No, no, signore; don't ask me. I
Couldn't couldn't"
"Then your answer" said Thorn,
growing very white.
My answer is-no."
Goodnight, countess, and good
bye. l have lived at Rome so long only
in the hope which you have just blast
ed"
"Do you go soon?'
81 shall stay merely for a celebration
that my countrymen enjoy at this sea-
son, and which I am pledged to attend"
"I know" said the countess. "It 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 a 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 intervened 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 foul
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 SC
IN dtvTf,a 1fsys,x L L