The herald., 1894-06-23


"Widowl What, q widow? That i'm
beetle of a landlord did not tell us that
she was a widow"
'fBut that is just the thing for me.
Paolo, my dear fellow, be good. Let us
change lodgings It is favor for
which / shall BIS grateful to you all my
life. " Thus did Torbiani beg and sup
plicate him.
"Change with Boinpane-that is bet
ter---so you can pay court to that blond
young lady"
mo, mol like brunettes best. l pre-
fer widows. They are more piquant.
Come, beg of you. Think that your
compliance may perhaps decide my
whole life. )"
"Well, take my lodging" sighed the
young lieutenant, with affected resigna-
ton. $50 and warm your heart in the
presence of the Marchesa Gamborti, and
toast your boots at the fireplace Of her
parlor.
Then Terbiani rushed to hunt up his
valise; next into one Of the rooms of
the inn, where he worked a complete
metamorphosis in his apparel; changed
his fatigue dress, frayed and discolored,
for a brand fine new uniform, and with
out re-entering the dining room went
to ask some directions of tho landlord as
to the pace where Casa Gamberti was.
"Ah, you are quartered there? Ex-
cellentr' approved the fat landlord
after having looked at the lieutenant
from head to foot to make sure that he
~ rN1a hn
added:
Fortunately you have but few steps
to take because the Palazzo Gamberti is
almost opposite here, that house, you
see. where there are so many lights. "
The officer went toward the house
pointed to him 1t was an antique
building of rich and elegant stye-a
pearl among lentils in comparison with
the other houses.
''She must be lady and no mistake"
said Terbiani to himself, not only at
seeing her home, but also at the aspect
of the servant that came to open the
door,
"The signora marchesa is at the Villa
di Givioso, said the domestic, show
ing the lieutenant into drawing room
furnished in antique brocade, where
great fire was cracking merrily in the
porphyry chimneypiece. The servant
added:
'tf the signor tenente wishes to read,
ON that table are the newspapers, in that
bookcase some books If the signor
tenente wishes-that l should prepare
him some tea or coffee, that bring him
some liquors''-
mo. thank you," replied the officer
absentmindedly.
Perhaps the signor tenente would
like to go to bed?"
''No, no; thanks, repeated Terbiani.
81 never go to bed before midnight.
This last phrase was uttered in the
hope that the marchesa would come
home before that hour.
Here is an apartment kept as like
to see one, and domestic worthy to be
the envy of many MASTER" was the
mental approval Of the officer as he
stretched himself in wide, low and
deep armchair before the glowing fire.
He opened newspaper, read without
understanding a syllable the leading
article, which was upon the foreign pol
ICY. Then little by little he forgot his
reading. He began to watch the flame
that arose in tongues, blue, golden, red,
and ended by absorbing himself in a
thousand dreams more luminous,
strange, many colored and capricious
than the flame itself. They lasted I'M
til the moment when the marchesa in
person entered the room little after 10
O'Clock.
She was much prettier, to look at her
closely, than Terbiani had judged her
at first sight.
Welcome, lieutenant, said the lady
with the ease of perfect woman of the
world. II have just met at my moth
er's house one of your companions, and
from him learned that you were here,
so I'm come home in great haste to full
ELL the duties of hospitality"
The young man bowed deeply, at
once subjugated by those bright eyes
that looked mischievously at him and
by the subtle smile of those red lips
which addressed to him words SO gra-
cious-without suspecting, poor fellow,
that he himself was the cause of that
mirth held within bounds only by ex-
quisite politeness.
In fact, that indiscreet Bompane in
formed by chance few moments after
his arrival at Givioso Of the existence
and perfect health Of the Marchese Gam
berti, had not been able to restrain his
hilarity, and invited to explain it by
the family into which he had been re-
ceived he had related the change of the
billit Of quarters, the enthusiasm and
the matrimonial hopes Of Terbiani.
Such was the true motive of the ready
return of the marchesa, who, delighted
with the opportunity which presented
itself for the exercise of her wit and
her good humor, had fastened to come
to take her part in the little comedy.
DO not let my presence hinder You
from retiring, lieutenant" said the
lady, with coquetry. "You must feel
great need of rest after this fatiguing
days march in the snow"
And he gallantly:
"Oh, signora, there is no WEAKNESS
that could make me renounce these mo-
ments Of your charming conversation.
"As to the charm of my converse
ton" she said, laughing, permit me
to make you observe that you are not
yet in a position to judge of it. As for
me, instead, " she quickly added, deter
mined to appear coquettish, cit seems
30, 30 H. - -. 4.