The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-04-28
stranger who had admitted her appeared


feeling of disappointment at the man 8
words. Surely, she thought, that air of
birth and breeding belonged to some
one of higher station. He made her
think Of Titian's famous PORTRAIT of q
Gentleman" which she had long adj
mired in the Pitt Gallery.
''The proprietor does not live here?'}
she asked.
''The count is absent" replied her
companion, opening the door and stand
ing aside for her to enter.
AS the sign0ra went from one beautl!.
full room to another she was more and
more delighted. The combined ele-
gance and simplicity of the whole
charmed her.
1.-THE people who lived here" she
thought, must be different from others;
The very steward shares the olden grace
of manners that is so much part of the
building"
She encouraged him to talk, watching
him with keen interest No one of her
acquaintance could speak with more
charming wit or ease, and as they paused
in the rectangular library he referred
naturally and with intimate knowledge
to the books upon the shelves.
The signora listened attentively.
Then feeling as if she must awake some
how from the dream that seemed to hold
her she said:
Il am more than satisfied with the
villa. Will you please tell me what the
counts price is?'
The steward looked troubled.
The last one who looked at it was
told the price was 100000. But he was
common, coarse sort of man who
talked about putting in steam heating
arrangement and electric lights. The
count would not have sold the place to
him under any consideration"
The signora looked amused.
Your count is proud gentleman"
she said. Somewhat original, is be
not?"
Eyes, do not deny it," said the young
man. But people who are original are
not always wrong. Born here on the
estate, which the Soragnas have owned
for centuries, attached to every corner
and stone of the house, each room and
each bit of furniture is part Of his
heart"
But, excuse me, why them
Il know what you would say. Why
does the count wish to sell his chateau?
Because he IS very poor. He has very
modest income, which, with the sale OF
the villa, would suffice for all his needs
He has wavered between sentiment and
material gains. How could he sell his
home to fat old lady with innumerable
cages of parrots? He must find some
one who would be worthy of his beauti-
full home"
The signora, touched keenly by the
pathetic voice, said warmly:
Poor Count Soragna!" Then she
added, perplexed: Il should never dare
present myself before the count for ap-
prevail. Old maids, like myself, are
surely barred"
The stewared looked at her in sur
prise. 1t was his turn to wonder a her
words. Surely so distinguished a
woman would not have remained un-
married. But he said, quietly:
AFTER a certain number of decepticns
the count has discovered a plan viii Is
works very we'll. He himself act:; as q
guide for the; visitors to the villa---''
The signora did not wait for linn t.
answer. Turning with questioning eyes
she cried: d,
Then you sire77-."
The Count Soragna at your service
If it was not dream it was'certainly
like one. The signora, whose chief sin
was not timidity, found herself for the
first time in her life perhaps distinctly
embarrassed She must have shown it,
for the count fastened to say:
Il beg your parson, a thousand Of
them; but there was no other method
of determining the character of the as
pirants to my villa. Hove it so truly that
could not give it to anyone who would
not love it as cid"
so you committed the perfidy Of,
springing an examination upon me I'M
prepared" said the signora, dryly. And
DO you think you know me now" She
smiled ironically.
mot at ALL" said the count, bending
gallantly to pick up a glove she had let
fall. ITO know woman is always
difficult; to affirm that you know her is
imprudent. In my case, merely bow
in admiration"
Bravo, Count Soragna!" and tho
signora held out her hand, smiling this
time with the smile of woman who has
found her master.
May take down the sign For Sale'?'
asked the count as the lady made hel
way to the door.
The signora pretended to be busy
fastening her glove and did not answer
May take down the sign?" He re
peated the question humbly.
What are the conditioner" bu~ the
signora did not lift her eyes from the
refractory glove.
There was a moments silence. Then
the count said softly:
only one. 1t is that the future owner
of the villa will consent to become the
Countess Soragna"
Whatever the signora may have ex-