The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-20


II can believe it. signora marchesa
But why condemn yourself to this So
clusion2''
"Ah, this Is it Tho physician hos
known how 10 persuade my family that
this rost was absolutely necessary for
mo and have preferred 10 subject my
self TO the DOCTORS advice rather than
TO the soues OF tender reproaoh tbat my
refusal would have provoked. at all
eScnts have gained the color OF o
peasant, for 10 seems that to be bored L.
good for tho health. You cont imaotne
tic impossible length Of winter day
IN this place and how hard it Is 10 CO
oupy tho endless hours that compose IT. {"
II understand underestimate
repeated the young man, pulling his
pointed mustacha
The dialogue thus begun ran success
lively over the whole ground where 1t
| could BE- carried by q man and a vom-
AL of good society who meet for the first
time They talked Of literature art so
ciety, and discovered that they had SOW
oral mutual friends at Rome, Milan and
Naples
Tho marches,, pleased with the AZ
fair, which was, moreover, very harm
less, and treasured by the fact that heu
husband would return the very next day,
permitted herself some phrases, enough
to lead on any man
"Ah, I wish they would send mo
every day an officer to entertain, " sho
concluded, Offering to Terbiani her slen-
der little hand. II have been 80 we'll
amused this evening"
In saying these words she was per
fectly sincere
AS to the lieutenant, he was In tho
fifth heaven
Really this is absolutely what is
wanted for me, he Thought as he sank
between tho fine linen sheets, perfumed
with orris, that had been prepared for
him Pretty, elegant, witty, certain
ly of good family and with money.
What nose, like a hunting dog, I have
had. Ell? Now it is question of ma
neuvering we'll Tomorrow will de-
velop my plans.
And he went to shep dreaming of
his good fortune.
On awalling he found All invitation
from tho Baron Corati di Givioso for
breakfast, followed by fox hunt
IL.
exclaimed the young man, rubbing his
hands This breakfast and this hunt
today arc what is wanted for my ma
neuvcrs-of love, not war.
No sooner said than done SO far rs
depended upon himself. Tcrbiani proftcd
as much as possible by the situation, TO
the great amusement Of the Corati fam
lily and the pretty Marrhcsa Gamberti
When. after day passed mostly In
the open air. amid noise, but in moro
than one place worthy to elicit sent-
mentality, the marchcsa found herself
again before the fire. In the drawing
rUoin nj the previous evening, she was
acquainted with Tcrbiani M few other
women h,M bociL for he had related 10
her during those hours the life, death
and miracles of himself wishing-u-
lnitcd the worthy fcllow-that she
should have in regard to him neither
illusions nor delnsions
Then he iilated, with melancholy re-
ffIrtionR upon tho wparilkss and eInpti-
moss of bachelor existence
The marchessl of course listened with
patience and good will, full of encour-
ageinent TO thc.n propositions, rather
verbose, but of an irrcproachnblc moral
ity.
And l suppose that the conclusion
OF all this is that you are thinking of
marriagc!" she said, looking at the
clock on the Inantelpicce The train
that Thought home her husband was
just then entering the station, and that
phrase seemed 10 her suited to hasten
the dnnouclnent of the comedy
Precisely. marchcsa The difficulty
Is, however. that / am very cxacting
i'll this matter without any right to DO
so.
~ am not of your opinion, licutcn.
ant, az To your right, said the lady,
with pcrfidious csindor And I should
undertake willingly to discover some
perfection OF a little girl who would
call herself happy TO become Signorn
Terbiani -
Do you believe it Inssiblc%' asked
the young man, with southern nrdor,
and he added, hositating little This
encouragement, marchioncsS offers me
the opportunity TO ask yve,-<o nsk You
since yOu say" -
Steps We're heard i'll the nntrruom.
She interrupted him:
"Ah, sc that my sister Lucia has
greatly pleased you f"
"Oh, certainly, certainly. Tho Sinor-
ina LuciH is one Of the most charming
ladies. That can 10 seen. But us have
only seen her beside IA sistcr-yuursclf "
Her sister has been married for l5
years my dear lieutenant She Is al
ready an old wife and All old mother. +"
Il