The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-14
THE PENSION TossELLI.

! Dcen gay Win American. f1EEt4SH ana
German guests. II was Easter Monday
and the famous Roman festival had. as
usual, attracted visitors OF all nationali-
ties to the hotel. which, with its rnaguifi-
cent banquet room. its elaborate Oecora-
tons. innumerable little tables decked
with flowers. delicate napery and glass
| ware, presented a fascinating picture.
Yes said her younger sistefs brightly,
translating the next course or the menu
in an aside to her father. Il am tired Of
these evenings at the hotel and It viii
be a relief TO have a jolly, informal
| American dance again. am glad Mrs
1 Livingston invited US 10 the pension.
! rs IT that mademOiselle viii give me
the honor of presenting my friend Lieu
| tenant ROspillOtu2"
Dora turned and found Lieutenant
Count Humberto de Casablanca bowling
and greeting them. He was in full dress,
| artillery uniform, and his silver spurs
elinked together as his heels met. Mr.
Morton rose gravely and shook hands
and offered him a chair and glass Of
| wine. EsteIIe vivaciously expressed pleas
ure at meeting any friend Of the officers,
and shortly after the presentation had
been made and the two officers had join
ed the group Dora caught her sister
eye and the party rose and left the dining
room, the Italian lowering at the side OF
the girl and chatting with sparkling ami
| nation, Mr.. Morton bringing Up the rear
| and opening his cigar case.
! 1T was so fortunate" exclaimed Lieu
tenant Rospillotti, as they passed in the
fower-ennbowered central hall outside,
where the music was and where many
guests were promenading or sitting at
little tables slipping coffee, that we, too,
are invited to the pension Tcsseui this
/ evening. It IS indeed rare privilege to
meet these charming American girls here
! in Rome; they are so beautiful. so gra-
/ ri gn al hr PC
prit, so piquante. OH they are tout a
fait ravissante," he added softly to Es-
| telle, glancing at her eagerly. we Ital-
I ians are always captivated by the fair
/ Americans. who come from far across the
sea to teach US what IS truly witty and
admirable" Estelle laughed delightedly
and he continued:
"A secret, mademoisellei Ny friend, the
count, is in love, all in love with your
| sister, Happy man." he sighed, TO be
( in love with an American"
The other two had reached the end Of
| the promenade. The count had been
! talking earnestly and Dora looked some
/ what uneasy and restless.
Come, Estene," she said, the carriage
! is here; we must be off. Perhaps we viii
/ meet these gentlemen later" and she
! bowed cOldly to the two men, who, after
/ d few words with Mr.. Morton, donned
their long blue cavalier cloaks and de-
| parted.
7 am so glad to see you both" said
/ Mrs. livingston little later, as the two
| girls entered the coy front halls OF the
/ pension. We shall have such merry
/ evening, with so many American girls
/ here and no less than twenty officers.
/ Think of it, dear" and she gave Dora's
arm a little pinch, twenty officers, and
/ each one far more gallant than an
American knows how to be. Nine. Tos-
/ SELF knows them all wei. and she tells
me they represent the best blood OF
Rome Who knows but" and she stop
ped abruptly, catching a sudden ex-
/ preston in the girls face Come, I
must see that you meet everybody and
have good time"
The pension was a large, pleasant one
on the Pincian hill, q favorite winter
| home for Americans. INNS. TOsselh was
noted for her genial hospitality and the
! frequent informal dances she would give,
at which were always number of gay
young titled Romans. who seemed de-
lighted with the opportunity of meeting
the American ladies stopping there. The
Mortons had been in Rome most of the
winter.
Dora had found Count Casablanca es-
peciaIly attentive. He had claimed more
than one tete-a-tete. and she grew more
and more uneasy. How different these
Italian gallants were from Americana
More subtle and in some ways more fas-
chatting, with perfectly polished manners
and bearing of undoubted elegance. yet to
her memory came constantly the picture
Of some one who had no title, no uni
form. no ready flow of witty banter. yet
with a quiet strength, f0rcefulness and
simplicity these men lacked. Cleveland
was far away and its business streets
were far less picturesque than the DOule-
wards and Corso of Rome, and John
Biggs was probably at that moment-al-
I no r,rir
ing quietly in his little Office. John Biggs
the Cavalier Humbcrto di Casablanca -
Cleveland-Romei
Dora had unconsciously been lingering
a ring beneath her glove. and now rose
suddenly and leaving the count with her
sister, hurried through the room to join
Mrs. Livingston, who was sitting out Ia
the hall As she passed one of the cur
tain-hung corners she caught fragment
of conversation that made her pause tt
was in Italian, which she understood
easily.
But, signora," said a mans voice, Il
find he is worth a million Of American
money. and If it comes about, your com
mission viii amply reward you"
THAT viii come later" replied Nine.
Tosseln but for the present I find it
simpler TO be paid each time. Pay me the
hundred francs now. and you both VIII
be bid TO my dances as usual
Dora passed quickly out into the hall.
her brain in a whirl Vague suspicious.
stray snatches or hints, rumors, all these
seemed suddenly confirmed by what she
had just heard Her heart was beating
fast and the rooms seemed oppressive.
Just then a kindly faced man stepped up
quickly with q cordial greeting, and she
exclaimed:
20, Arthur Powers, I am so glad you
are here tonight I must see you a min
ute. Quick, come into this corner and
answer me You are a friend in need.
Don't ask any questions, but answer.
answer, ow does Mime. Tosselh know
how does she get all these officers here
at her dances; do they pay herr"
Powers looked at her a moment. kindly.
and with a sudden appreciation Of her ex-
element. Yes. he said quietly. ten
francs each a night
''Why. oh, why?''
In order that they may meet Ameri-
can girls"
And theu?"
And then follow Up the acquaintance:
find out who they are, and Il they are
wealthy, perhaps--
YES. YES. hut is this really true?"
Dora said Powers, graveIy, looking
straight into her eyes. these Italians are 3
patriclans; Trey have lineage. social posi-
ter and-poverty- Economically speak /
Ing, they are non-producers-they have (
utles 20 sustain, uniforms % buy. PAL |
aces 70 keep up. n these pensions they /
meet Arnerican girls. lrsophistfcated ia /
4-ailan customs and strict Italian eti- /
Quette Many II them have wealth: they /
have been Brought I'd under simpler So /
ciaI conditions They are easily fasci- /
mated vsth the glamour and romance - ]
an italian title. These men are brilliant. /
fasclratlrr uen II the world They know 4
Low 10 make women admire them. The 1
pension keeDars.- such ns Nine. Tossel.i. 1
ra1l----lz. r-a slrnaflnrn