The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-11-05


into the apartment where the gentle
man awaited her. Ten minutes later
he left the house, and Signorina Armo-
dec Joined her mother In the library.
II think" said the daughter indecis-
lively, "that shall decline to fulfill the
contract. He IL either very wise or
very stupid, for he opened his eyes
upon me-they are his only redeeming
feature = but scarcely opened his
mouth"
The front door creaked and her ia
Their entered.
"Its all or" he said.
"What do you mean7" asked the
daughter starting.
II met slgnor conci on the doorstep.
He declines to complete the contract.
He chose rather to pay all expenses.
However, since you are only seventeen,
there IL yet time"
Indeed there Is" replied the daugh-
ter under her breath and with dan
gerous glitter IN her eye.
One evening soon after this episode
Vlttori and Lucia met at ball.
Good evening, slgnor," she said. Il
am glad to meet you again. Because
we do not marry there Is no reason why
we may not be friends" and, slipping
her hand within his arm, abe walked
away with him. The orchestra was
playing one Of Strauss delightful
waltzes. and what could the young
man do but propose that they should
dancer Then, when they had finished,
the girl proposed that they should sit
awhile In recess and chat. He seem
cd embarrassed at FIRST, but his COM
panlon put him at his ease. Indeed, be-
fore they parted hc felt bold enough to
apologize for having refused 10 marry
her, but his courage forsook him and
he stammered lncoherently.
Don't speak OF that" she said. at
was prcsumptuous In me even to think
OF such thing. You are 80 much
brighter than |, so prominent socially;
marriage hetweel rs was not to be
considered. Resides there Is too great
a difference In our ages"
II am thirty" he remarked, some
what ehopfallen.
"And am only seventeen. Thirteen
years Is a great difference respect
elderly men, but a chit like myself
should not aspire to marry one OF
them"
Nittorl went home feeling very I'M
comfortable Lucia In her han dress
had appeared far more to advantage
than IN home costume. He regretted
his decision. But what troubled him
most was to have been Informed that
he was passing Into an age which
young girls consider old.
One day Vlttori met the broker who
had made the contract for him. The
man eh!ded him Tor withdrawing Wit,
tori admitted that he had made mis-,
take.
I'm ok up a new contract" said the
broker
I'm pay you another commission
, "Dune."
A few days later the broker notified
! VittOrl that new contract had beer
made with signor Armodeo for his
daughters hand. vlttori was muci
pleased, He did not know how Lucls
felt In the matter, but Italian girl.
} were used 20 obeylng their fathers
There would be no trouble.
!, One day the broker Informed VT
tori that all had been arranged ane
he might call upon Lucia as soon as h
liked. He found Lucia arrayed IL
her NEST dainty visiting costume. viii
hat and gloves.
: Il am pleased to see you, slgnol
! C0nct but fear there has been q mis-
, take, Ny father las Informed me that
he had made new contract tor as
This he has done without my consent
Yesterday | was eighteen and Of are
coming into my fortune. am sorry
! II you are disappointed. As I have
) told you, your gray hairs stand be
! tween us."
"Aly gray hairsr' said the assonlsh
cd Vittort Il was not aware that
had onevs
You must not be put to expense II
] this matter. Here Is my check tor thu
, eommissioA. Good evening. am sor
~ that you have been put 70 unnecea
kary trouble. You must excuse me.
AN going out"
The sutton tottered TO the door and
out into the air, which he sadly needed
though il did not revive him. For
week be was on the verge Of suicide
then settled down 60 miserable ex
lstence. The next time be met Luels
she treated him 80 cordially -almosi
affectionately--that he plunged into I
furnace u hope. but ON second meet
Ing be was Transferred to an icy poo
Of despair After keeplng him swing
: ing between the two extremes for ssv
eral years she cut him dead ono IA,
en- the street
A man who has refused a woma1
had better aftarward keep cut oe BE-.
way. MARK ANDERSON,