The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-10-01

may perhaps "VCl"o ny ,
whole life. "
"Wcll, take my lodging" sighed the
young lieutenant, with affected resigna-
ton. eco and warm your heart in the
presence of the Marchesa Gamberti, and
toast your boots at the fireplace OF her
parlor.
Then Tcrbiani rushed to hunt up his
valise; next into one Of the rooms OF
the inn, where he worked a complete
mctamorphosis i'll his apparel; changed
his fatigyo dress, frayed aud discolored
for brand fine new uniform, and with
out re-cntcring the dining room went
to ask some directions of the landlord as
to the pace where Casa Gambcrti was
"Ah, you are quartered there? EX-
collontr' approved the fat landlord
after having looked at the lieutenant
from head to foot to make sure that he
was worthy Of such place Then he
added;
"Fortunatcly you have hut 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 aud elegant stye-a .
pearl among lcntils in comparison with .
tho other houses.
"Shc must be a lady and no mistake, "
said Tcrbiani 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 Mt the Villa
di Givioso," said the domestic, show
ing the lieutenant into drawing room
furnished in antique brocade, where
great fire was cracking mer1ily in the
porphyry chimneypiece. The servant
added:
IF the signor tenente wishes to read,
on that table are the newspapers, i'll that
bookcase some books. If the signor
tenente wishes that l should prepare
him some tea or coffee, that bring him
some Liquors.
] "No, thank you, " replied the officer
absentmindedly.
Perhaps the signor tenente would
like TO 60 to hed?"
mo, no; thanks, " repeated Terbiani.
81 never go to bed before midnight"
This last phrase was uttered III the
hope that the marchesa would come
home before that hour.
Here is an apartment kept as L 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 a 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 i'll tongues, blue, golden, red,
and ended by absorbing himself in u
thousand dreams more luminous,
strange, many colored and capricious
than the flame itself They lasted I'M
til the moment when the marchesa i'll
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 a perfect woman of the
world. 81 have just met at my moth
er's house one of your companions, and
l from him / learned that you were here,
7 so I'm come home in great haste to full.
fill the duties of hospitality"
The young man bowed deeply, al
once subiugated by those bright eyes
1 that looked mischievously at him and
: by the subtle smile of those red lips
d which addressed to him words so gra
= cious-withOut suspccting, poor fellow,
g that he himself was the cause of that
2 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
BERT, 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
J. lady, with coquetry. "You must feel q
0 great need of rest after this fatiguing
Il days march in the snow,
And he gallantly:
u "Oh, signora, there is no WEAKNESS
that could make me renounce these mo-
ments Of your charming conversation. u
> ''As to the charm of my converse
% ton" she said, laughing, permit mt
l. to make You observe that you are no
"a yet in a position TO judge of it, As fol
n me, instead, " she quickly added, deter
Va mined to appear coquettish, "it seem
too good to be true to chat with per
II son who does not belong to my family
II and whom ! do not see every day. l as
~ sure you that one has quite enough O
IS solitude after a whole long winter pass
e ed in this forsalicn little place"
III 81 can believe it, signora marchesa
he But why condemn yourself to this Sc
clusion?"
I'd "Ah, this is it. The physician ha
re known how to persuade my family tina
W this rest was absolutely necessary fo
S, me, and have preferred to subject my
re self to the doctors advice rather tina
to the scenes Of tender reproach that III
g refusal would have provoked. AT a.
Is events, j have gained the color of
peasant, for it seems that TO be bored
i good for the health. You can't imagin
r tho impossible length Of winter da
Is in this place and how hard it is to oC
l! cupy the endless hours that compose it.
II 81 understandable, | understand!
! Al. L