Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-12

drawing out the owners name.
"Oh, no" he answered. with laugh.
II only a servant, head or the pastori.
MY master. its owner, is the Signor Tor
reani''
An Italian, take it, from his
manner"
He is, In fact, we all are-that is, we
of the household, except the signore En-
rico. The people employed outside are Of
different sorts. though mostly native Ar
gentinosl As you see. it's an establish
ment for the raising OF cattle, of which
Signor Torreani has now over ten thous-
and head. / don't think any of the gem
tlemen are at home, but the signorinas are.
They'll receive and attend to you, while
get some gauchos and go back for your
horse
BY this we had arrived at the front gate
of the house. pretty wooden structure,
painted white, with verandah all around,
and green Venetian jaIousies. If had any
lingering thought about robbers 1t was
now finally and completely dismissed at
sight of several figures seated in the We
randall. Two of them were women, both
young, though one. If not both, might be
married; and should, judging by the three
or four little olive branches romping
around.
Both women were exceedingly beautiful,
Of the dark-eyed Italian type, though Of
different styles; the taller of the two, as
also of the more robust frame, having fea-
lures less finely chieeled. with complexion
of deeper brown-those of the other cast
in more delicate mould or 1t might be
from her having been more tenderiy ma
tured. In either case, 1 saw a female
beauty OF the first order; and to say
which excelled would require nice discrim-
nation, after all, a matter of taste.
/ felt grateful to think they were the
"signorinas" who were ITO receive and at
tend TO me"
Both of which they did. with grace that
gave me still further qualification Soon
as they saw US at the gate one of them
rose to her feet, and came forward to the
verandah rail, with an air of guileiess in
genuousness looking innocent as the
children playing beside her.
AS we were still outside the enclosure.
a slight pailing, she called out:
What is it, Tomasso?''
"A traveller, signorina; a gentleman.
crossing the campo, who's had an acct
dent with his horse. I've taken the liberty
of bringing him to the house.
You did right. Ask the gentleman to
come in"
l did not wait for Tomassos asking, but
walked straight for the porch, he follow
ing me, and giving the ladies fuller ac-
count of what had occurred.
I'm sorry, signore." said she who had
spoken first, my husband is not at home.
I'm sure he'll be glad to render you such
assistance as he can"
''And so will mine" added the other.
who had also risen TO receive me.
Both married; what pity" My re-
Election.
AYE. and father. too" continued the
first speaker. Then turning to Tomasso:
Get men and go back for the gentle
mans horse. Now, signore. you'n come
inside and have something 10 eat and
drink"
''Oh, yes" says the other, answering for
me, 'you must be fatigued with such a
long ride over the hot plain Please to
step in"
l went, and was ushered into a good
sized sitting room, handsomely furnished,
every inch of its walls occupied by pic
lures Some were portraits in oil, but most
water colors, scenes OF the pampa itself
gauchos in their picturesque attire, riding
half-wild after horned cattle. and wilder
horses, tossing bolas and casting the lazo
Among others, there was one OF the sport
had ridden so far to partake in-an os-
trich hunt, or, as there called. Chase Of
the avestruz" All seemed recently, al
most freshly painted, and with an artistic
execution that caused me no little surprise
What genius had been straying out there,
on the unpeopled pampa? AS if antici-
pating my meaning, still unspoken, the
taller OF the two said:
Il see you're pleased with those pictures.
signore. An! my Luigi is a true artist
There wasn't his equal in Rome
Come, Camilla" interposes the other in
pouting but friendly way, you take too
much credit for your Luigi. They were
not all painted by him. That ostrich hunt,
which I can see interests the signore more
than any of the others, was done by my
Enrico."
From all this / could perceive that there
was divided authority in the estancia. or
rather a united one. for my two hostesses,
in their innocent bandinage, seemed incap-
able Of quarreling.
While still wondering at the strange
household into which accident had intro
duced me--a repast, meanwhile. in the act
of being Prepared heard the trampling
Of hoofs on the campo turf outside
luigi exclaims one OF the ladies. the
other crying "Enricoi" both al the same
time gliding out into the verandah. with a
word Of apology for leaving me alone.
Not for long. In a few seconds after
two young men entered the room; another.
and much older man, remaining at the
gate. as l could see through the window.
giving orders TO some gauchos about the
horses
The young men, already apprised Of the
nature Of my presence, came forward with
a frank air to salute and bid me welcome.
But one of them. to my great perplexity.
as he took hold OF my hand, gave sud
den start, and stood looking in my face
his showing establishment equal TO my
own.