The daily Alaskan., 1907-01-04
A MATRIMONIAL
 BLUNDER

ajar. She soliloquiZed thus:
 Not very good looking Nose very bad. Hair fine and glossy, but there's not enough of It. X little too tall and slender
 It was in the old city of Genoa, where many of the marriages are brought about by brokers. They keep list of marriageahle girls and their good points, such as accomplishments, beauty, fortunes, etc. The brokers ar- range the marriage for the would be groom with the girls parents, and the couple are introduced afterward. Either party may recede after the lntroduc- ] tiuG. but if the man wishes to do so he must pay H'c brokerage and expenses.
 such aG arrangement had been made for the upjoB ot YlttOrl Conci and Lu- oia Armodeo, and the young lady, hay ! ing made up her mind what course to pursue, opened the door and stepped i into the apartment where the gentle man awaited her, Ten minutes later be left the house. and Signorina Armo- deo Joined her mother in the library.
 T think" said the daughter indecis- ively. that shall decline to fulfill the contract. He is 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 creakcd and her fa- ther entered.
 Its all off, he said.
 What do you mean?" asked the daughter, starting.
 "I met SignOr COnci on the doorstep. He declines to complete the contract. He chose rather to pay all expenses. However. since you are only seventeen. there Is 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 Vittorl and Lucia met at ball.
 Good evening, signOr," she said. T 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, she walked away with him. The orchestra was playing one Of Straus' delightful walrzes. and what could the young man do but propose that they should dance? Then. when they had finished, the girl proposed that they should sit awhile in recess and chat. He seem- ed embarrassed at first. but his com panion put him at his ease. Indeed, be- fore they parted he felt bold enough to apologize for having refused to marry her, but his courage fOrsOok him and he stammered incOherently,
 Don't speak of that" she said. Tt was presumptuous in me even to think of such a thing. You are so much brighter than I, so prominent socially; marriage between us was not to be considered. Besides. there is too great a difference in our ages
 .I am thirty" he remarked, some what chopfallen.
 And I am only seventeen. Thirteen years Is a great difference. l respect elderly men. but chit like myself should not aspire to marry one of 1 them"
 Yittori went home feeling very un- comfortable. Lucia in her ball 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 Yittorl met the broker who ! had made the contract for him. The man chided him for withdrawing. Wit tori admitted that he had made a mis- take.
 "I'n fix up a new contract" said the ] broker.
 I'll pay you another commission"
 Done"
 A few days later the broker notified l TittOri that new contract had been made with Signor ArmOdeo for his daughters hand. Vittori was much .
 pleased. He did not know how Lucia felt in the matter, but Italian girls were used to Obeying their fathers. There would be no trouble.
 One day the broker informed Nit- tori that all had been arranged and he might call upon Lucia as soon as he liked. He found Lucia arrayed in her most dainty visiting costume, with hat and gloves.
 Il am pleased to see you, Signor ConCi, but fear there has been mis- take. My father has informed me that be had made d new contract for us. ] This he has done without my consent. Yesterday l was eighteen and of age coming into my fortune. l am sorry if you are disappointed. AS l have told you, your gray hairs stand be- tween us."
 ] My gray hairsw said the astonish' ed Vittori. T was not aware that I had onew
 "You must not be put to expense in this matter Here is my check for the commission. Good evening. am sor, " that you have been put to unneces' sary trouble. You must excuse me.