Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-10-10

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band is 70 drolll 1t is all very anus
ing
''fhe husband Is always drollr' l re-
marked smiling coldIy. ut is not a
temptation TO marry when one knows
that as a husband one must always
look ridiculous"
She glanced up at me.
"Cesare! You surely are not vexed?
OF course 1t is only in plays that 1t
happens so!'
plays, cara mia, are often nothing
but the reflex of real life" / said.
But let rs hope there are expectations
and that all husbands are not fools"
She smiled sweetly and expressive
ly, toyed with the flowers / had given
her, and turned her eyes again to the
stage. / aid no more and was a
somewhat moody companion for the
rest of the evening. As we all left
the theater one of the ladies'. who had
accompanied Nina said slightly:
You seem dull and out OF spirits,
| Confer
| forced a smile.
Not 1, signora! Surely you do not
find me guilty of such ungallantry?
Were / dull in your company | should
prove myself the most ungrateful Of
my sex"
She sighed somewhat impatiently.
She IA very young and very lovely.
and, as far as | knew innocent. and OF
a moro thoughtful and poeticaI TEN.
permanent than most ONE
THAT Is the mere language OF cOm-
pliment." she said, looking straight
~ at me with her clear candid eyes.
You are a true courtier, Yet often l
think your courtesy is reluctart."
/ looked mt her In some surprise.
Reluctant? Signora, pardon me If !
do not understand"
81 mean." she continued still re-
gardins me steadily. though a faint
blush warmed the clear palor of her
delicate complexion. that you do no
really like us women; you say pretty
things to US, and you try to be amia-
BILE in u company. but You are In
truth averse to our ways-you are
s~ceptical-you think we are all ny
po~crites."
i laughed n little colby.
Really, Signora. your words place
me In n very awkward position. Were
| to tell you my real sentiments-"
She interrupted me with a touch of
her fan on my arm, and smiled grave
ly.
You would say, Yes, you are right,
Signora. / never see one Of your sex
without ~suspectins ~treachery? All,
Signor Conte, We women are indeed
full of faults. but nothing can blind
u instinctI' She paused and her
brilliant eyes softened as she added
gently, Il pray your marriage may
be a happy e
/ IA silent. l was not even cour.
teous enough TO thank her for the
wish. | was half angered that this
girl should have been able to probe
my thoughts so quickly and unerring-
~. Was / so bad an actor after allf
i glanced down at her as she leaned
lightly on my arm.
Marriage is a mere comedietfa," /
said abruptly and harshly. "We have
G IL acted tonight. In a few days
l shall play the part OF the chief buff
foon-in other words. the husband"
And l laughed. Ny young compan-
ion looked startled. almost frightened,
and over her fair face there fitted an
expression of something like aversion.
/ did not care-why should I?-and
there was no time for more words be
tween us. for we had reached the out
or v Gtibule of the theater.
Ny wife's carriage was drawn up at
the entrance:-my wife herself was
stepping into Ii. / assisted her. and
also her two friends. and then stood
with uncovered head at the door wish
ing them all the 'felicissima notte."
Nina put her tiny jeweled hand
through the carriage Window stoop-
ed and kissed 1t lightly. Drawing IL
bsck quickly. she selected a white
gardenia from her bouquet and gave
II to me with n bewitching smile. .
Then the glittering equipage dashed
away with a whirl and clatter OF
prancing hoofs and rapid wheels, and
l stood alone under the wide poTtico
OF the theater-alone amid the press
ing throngs of the people whe were
still coming out of the house hold