Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-06-23


| the open air, amid noise, but in more
than one place worthy to elicit senti-
mentality, tho marchesa found herself
again before the fire, in the drawing
room of the previous evening she was
acquainted with Terbiani us few other
women had been, for he had related to
her during those hours the life, death
and miracles of himself, wishing-re-
peated the worthy fellow-that she
should have i'll regard to him neither
illusions nor delusions.
Then he dilated, with melancholy re-
fiections, upon the WEAKNESS and empti.
ness of bachelor existence.
The marchesa of course listened with
patience and good will, full of encour-
| agement, to these propositions, rather
verbose, but of an irreproachable moral
ity.
"And suppose that the conclusion
Of all this is that you are thinking of
marriage?" she said, looking at the
clock on the mantelpiece. The train
that brought home her husband was
| just then entering the station, and that
| phrase seemed to her suited to hasten
the denouement of the comedy.
Precisely, marchesa. The difficulty
is, however, that l am very eXacting
in this matter without any right to be
| So
al am not of your opinion, lieuten.
ant, as to your right" said the lady,
with pcrfidious candor. And 1 should
undertake willingly to discover some
perfection of n little girl who would
call herself happy to become Signora
Terbiani. -
do you believe it possible?" asked
tho young man, with southern ardor,
and he added, hesitating a little, This
encouragement warehouses offers me
the opportunity to ask you-to ask you
since you say'-
Steps We're heard in the anteroom
She interrupted him:
"Ah, l see that my sister Lucia has
greatly pleased you. "
'Oh, certainly, certainly. Tho Sinor-
| ina Lucia is one of the most charming
ladies. That can be seen. But as have
only seen her beside a sister-yourself.
Her sister has been married for Is
years, my dear lieutenant She is al
ready an old wife and an old mother, "
the marchesa said, laughing.
At that point the door opened, and
there appeared n handsome man, tall
and powerful of person, followed by two
boys, with fresh, rosy faces, i'll travel
ing costume. All three flung themselves
upon the neck of the marchesa without
even percCiving the presence of the poor
lieutenant, stupetied, turned to stone,
more immovable and mute than statue.
Tho Marchcse Gamberti, my hus-
band, the lady presented him after
having returned the family effusions.
Lieutenant Tcrbiani 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
understandable smile, which she was I'M
able to rcpress, smile that curled
slightly the corners of her mouth
nov, 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
gentlewoman, all wrapped up i'll q hood
ed cloak of silk and lace, who followed
the marchese and the boys.
Tho word widow had been slightly
emphasized on purpose, but Terbiani,
who lad not yet rcgaincd the use of
speech bowed profoundly without even
appearing to comprehend the scene.
And neither the best wines Of the dow
ayers cellar nor the huSpitable Kindness
of tie marchcSe awaited to give him
back his presence of mind and his good
humOr.
My love, your lieutenant is rather
dismal bore" observed the M2rcheso
Gamberti when he found himself alone
| with his wife III the intimacy of their
| own room.
Rather, he WAS very brilliant, the
marchcsa assured him, bursting into
| laughter. But it was the arrival Of all
you others that made him change his
mood. Fancy, at the moment You enter
ed, he had launched forth into no less
than an offer of marriage He wanted
me-rcally me- Yes, please him, as it
appears,
And gayly, while she looscned the
| thick braids of her heavy dark hair, she
| told tho whole story i'll detail and by
what able mancuvrrs she had managed
the comedy IL bring it to n denouCmcnt
| just at the instant when her husband
ISI utslI, utlNlttl IIIStsiitt--NOlllll Ill
| rive
The story was long, SO that the Mar
cheese and Marchcsa Gambcrti were still
| asleep when the regiment went away
| the next morning.
The snow had melted, like the hopes
of poor Terbiani, and folds of whitish
mist fioated sadly hero and there over
the plain like tattered gauzc.
1t was lugubrious, this departure he
fore daybreak i'll that gray and frosty
April morning.
"Well," asked Lieutenant Bompane
mischiovously, when is the wedding
with your beautiful widow to take
| place.
| wedding! shall never marry, re.
| piled Tcrbiani, with tragic air that
wished to appear scornful i only
wanted to make little closer acquaint-
| ace with that brunette, and have play
ed little bit of sentimental comedy.
The Lord keep me from matrimony.
Women are too perfdious.
And after this he added, with q sim
cere sigh:
''Perfidious as the waves! "-Trans-
lated From the Italian of Countess Lara
For Short Stories
| The Polite Conductor.