The herald., 1894-06-23
WIDOW GAMBERTI.

tu6 luOrulHS.
In the villages remote from the great
centers, where life goes ON calm and
even as the mechanical movement of o
we'll regulated clock, the passage of the
troops is always an important event.
The peasants even, naturally penuri-
Gus, do not complain Of the slight ex-
pense and inconvenience that the mill
tary guests bring for day into their
houses, and be it noted that it is not
patriotic feeling nor affection for the
sons Of others which animates them,
but it amuses them to pass the evening
In listening to the adventurous tales and
the jokes of the barracks Of some SOL
dier that is rather chatterbox, espe-
cially if he is from the south. There
are fine things to DO heard, you may be-
heve me.
That day the young serving women had
done their daily tasks in the quickest
way and with various distractions. The
workwomen busy near the windows had
often raised the curtains to see better
an officer come to prepare the lodgings
who since dawn had galloped up and
down through the town satisfied no
doubt with attracting all tho feminine
chances.
1t was a cold day in the beginning
of April. The winter, which all had be-
lieved to be definitely over, by malig-
nant caprice or to play bad trick on
its enemies was come back again, and
the icy white mantle covered the earth
anew and shone magnificent under the
sun Of the first spring days.
"What fine thing that the sun is out,
SO they will be cheerful when they ar
rive, thought the girls while they blew
upon their redeemed fingers to warm
them and listened with beating hearts
whether the wind b-o1ght from afar
some sound Of trumpet or trampling
of horses.
All at once echoed fanfare rather
confused, but jovial. The regimentl The
regimenti
half an hour later the soldiers were
pouring into the village, filing it with
the clatter of their sabers and their
youthful voices in various dialects Of
Italy.
Together in tho dining room, long and
low rooted, of the Moon tavern the Off
GERS in fatigue uniform approached
their damp boots to the flames of pa
triarchal chimney in the happy frame
of mind of those who after a tiresome
days march finally have nothing more
to do except to rest in a comfortable
house, with the prospect of q good din
ner.
81 say" exclaimed Lieutenant Ter
biani, who was carelessly rolling Gig
arctic and rocking himself on a chair
near the window. Here are two fine
specimens of the natives. Come and see,
Destrelli. AS for me, never dreamed
of more charming little women
All the officers rushed to the window
in haste to test the accuracy of that opin-
ion.
ooh, obi They are elegant indeed. )"
''Look what tiny tracks those feet
leave on the snow"
"And what graceful movements"
'"They are lovely and no mistake"
'Look here, landlordl" called Lieu
tenant Varella, fitting his monocle into
the eye socket, 'are all the women of
this place like those?''
The innleeper, stout man Of about
30, smiled, stroking his beard, half red
and half gray, and declared:
mot all, signor tenente. Our girls,
may say, are not anliss, but those who
passed are Signorina Corati of Civil
oso, daughter of the master of the villa
up there on the hill, and the other with
the dark hair is her sister, the Marchesa
Gamberti, a young LADY,
The lieutenant had opened his mouth
to ask some other question, but at that
moment servant maid came in great
haste to the master, because he was
wanted in the kitchen. One of the young
men made rather crude observation
on the plumpness of the girl, and the
conversation changed.
"Tell me, my dear follows" asked
captain recently promoted, chow are
you accommodated? Because you know
that we shall stay here almost two days,
so that the question is important. Are
you content?'
Each of the officers named the lodg-
ing assigned to him, and the comments
began.
"That unluclSy Destrellil He is al
ways destined to be quartered at hair
dresser's 1t is true, however, that his
hair wants eating. SEQ here, Destrellii
Put yourself right into tho hands of your
hairdresser!' They all laughed heartily.
''As for Bompane, lie goes from villa
to villa. He stays with the aristocracy,
does Bompanel And this time, too,
look! He is to be entertained by Baron
Corati Of Givioso. -
"Ahl At the house of the beautiful
little blond who just now went byI''
Lucky fellowp' was cried on every
handS
"And you-whose house are you for?"
asked Terbiani Sf the lieutenant with
the eyeglass They had been compan-
ions at the school of Modena and re-
manned intimate friends in the regi-
meat.
''As for me, don't complain, " re-
piled tho other with his girlish voice,