The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-31

Elections, upon the WEAKNESS and empti-
ness of bachelor existence.
The marchioness, of course, listened
with patience and goodwill, full of en-
couragement to those propositions, rather
verbose, but of an irreproachable NOR
ality.
sand suppose that the conclusion of
all this is that you are thinking of mar
riage," she said, looking at the clock on
the mantelpiece. The train that brought
home her husband was just then enter
ing the station, and that phrase seemed
to her suited to hasten the denouement
of the comedy.
Precisely, marchesa. The difficulty
is, however, that am very exacting in
this matter, without any right to be So"
"Iam not of your opinion, lieutenant,
as to your right" said the lady, with per-
fidious candor. "And l should under
take willingly to discover some perfec-
ton of little girl who would call herself
happy to become Signora Terbiani :"
"Do you believe it possible9'' asked
the young man with southern ardor; and
he added, hesitating little; This en-
couragement marchioness, offers me the
opportunity to ask you to ask
you since you say :"
pJCpo MClC III bAlO dhbSAOOAhg oiO
interrupted him:
"Ah, 1 see that my sister Lucia has
greatly pleased you'll"
"Oh, certainly certainly e.
the Signorina Lucia is one of the most
charming of ladies; that can be. seen
But as l have only seen her be-
side sister yourself"
"Her sister has been married for fifteen
years, my dear lieutenant. She is already
an old wife and an old mother" the mar
chesa said, laughing.
At that point the door opened and
there appeared handsome man, tall and
powerful of person, followed by two boys
with fresh, rosy faces, in travelling cos
tune. All three flung themselves upon
the neck of the marchesa without even
perceiving the presence of the poor lieu
tenant, stupefied, turned to stone, more
immovable and mute than statue.
1.-The Marchese Gamberti, my hus-
band" the lady presented him, after hav-
ing returned the family illusions. Lieu
tenant Terbiani, an officer we have the
good fortune to entertain"
II am rejoiced to make your acquaint-
ance, lieutenant" declared with high
bred courtesy the Marchese Gamberti.
''Now," said the pretty lady with an
indescribable smile which she was unable
to repress, a smile that curled slightly
the corners of her mouth-"n0w come,
lieutenant, let me present you to the
marchesa, Widow Gamberti, mistress of
the house and my mother-in-law."
So saying she went toward an old gen
tlewoman, all wrapped up in a hooded
cloak of silk and lace, who followed the
marchese and the boys.
The word ,vidolc had been slightly en-
phasized on purpose, but Terbiani, who
had not yet regained the use of speech,
bowed profoundly, without even appear
ing to comprehend the scene. And
neither the best wines of the dowager's
cellar nor the hospitable kindness of the
marchese availed to give him back his
presence of mind and his good humor.
'My love, your lieutenant is rather a
dismal borel" observed the Marchese
Gamberti when he found himself alone
with his wife, in the intimacy of their
own room.
Rather, he was very brilliant" the
marchesa assured bin, bursting into
laughter. 'But it was the arrival of all
you others that made him change his
mood. Fancy, at the moment you en-
tered he had launched forth into no less
than an offer of marriage. He wanted
me-really me yes, Iplease him
as it appears"
And gayly, while she loosened the thick
braids of her heavy dark hair, she told
the whole story in detail, and by what
able maneuvres she had managed the
comedy to bring it to denouement just
at the moment when her husband-her
dear, adored husband-would arrive.
The story was long, so that the Mar
cheese and Marchesa Gamberti were still
asleep when the regiment went away the
next morning.
The snow had melted, like the hopes of
poor Terbianl, and folds of whitish mist
floated sadly here and there over the
plain, like tattered gauze.
1t was lugubrious, this departure be-
fore daybreak in that gray and frosty
April morning.
''Well," asked Lieutenant Bompane
mischievously, "when is the wedding
with your beautiful widow TO take placer
wedding! l shall never maryp' re-
piled Terbiani with tragic air that he
wished to appear scornful. 81 only
wanted to make little closer aequaint
ance with that brunette, and | have
played little bit of sentimental com
edy. The Lord keep me from
matrimony! Women are too perfdious. y
And after this, he added with a sin
cere sigh:
"Perfdious as the waves" From ShorI
Stories.
M