The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-27
A Broken
Contract
Being Romance Of Northern Italy
Half a Century Ago
By LUIGI CAPRONl
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
By LUIGI CAPRONl

1851, when In America the southern
states, one after another. were leaving
the Union and wheeling into Confed
crate line; when northern men wer'
drilling for a great war and hurryin,
forward to occupy those states tina
were part loyal to the north and par
ready to join the southern side.
In the land where the story was en-
acted a crisis that was to result IL
the formation of a nation was takin(
place. Victor Emmanuel. Cavour. Carl
baldi. were endeavoring to draw to
gether the different parts Of Italy and
unite them in a nation. Garibaldi hat
brought in the islands of Sicily and Ma
pies, attaching them to the kingdom
of Sardinia; Rome hung in the bal
ance; Venice was still under the domi
nation of Austria.
In Turin. the capital of Piedmont
and of so much of Italy as had been
thus far united, In the villa of one Of
those aristocratic families whose titles
have come down from medieval times,
two elderly men. Count Bertnetu and
Baron Mettiuci, sat In conference.
81 think" said the baron. that l
can do better for my daughter than to
marry her TO your son. both in the way
Of title and fortune. Nevertheless,
since we are old friends. yield the
point and give my consent"
81 am delighted. baron, at the pros
pect Of uniting our families" repeat
ed the other. II take it that we shall
have no trouble with the young people.
They have never seen each other, but
since they have both been brought up
to obedience in the choice Of mate
am sure they will make no opposition.
MY son might rebel If he had made an
attachment, but l have heard from
him recently. and he assures me that
he has no preferences and will accept
the bride provide for him."
"And l assure you. count. that my
daughter will obey me. Besides, she
has had no opportunity to form any at
tachment. She is still In the Convent
Of the Sacred Heart at Milan, where
she is finishing her education. ! intend
to present her to society at the coming
Tote ball"
The Tote ball. held every spring at
Turin, was given for this very purpose
Of introducing debutantes of aristocrat'
ic families. Fresh from their converts
dressed becomingly. animated with
this their first view of the social world
they formed scene charming to look
upon. They were all, or nearly all,
soon provided with husbands having
themselves nothing to do with the pro-
vision), married Immediately and might
thereafter receive oil the attention they
liked from the hosts of admirers who
crowded about them.
MY son." replied Count Bertinetd,
us row travelling, but will arrive In
Turin for the ball. / suggest that the
first meeting between the two young
people take place on that occasion.
There will be a great advantage In
such an introduction. The music, the
array of beautifully dressed young
women and well groomed young men,
the adornment and perfume of flow
ers, the ripple Of chat. mingled with
laughter, all will conspire to seduce
the senses, and that, you know, baron,
when we were young men one always
found alluring In a matter Of love-"
II agree with you, count My daugh-
ter leaves the convent In few days,
and will give directions to her moth
err that she be kept like a bird in a
cage till she is set free in the ball
ROOM"
This closed the interview, and the
two friends separated
Within a few days after the meeting
In which was arranged one Of those
marriages of convenience without love,
common among the aristocracy of Eu-
rope, young Count Giuseppe Bertinetti
alighted from post chaise at his ia
TIERS door and entered the house.
"Ah, my son." exclaimed the older
man, kissing his offspring on both
cheeks, 81 am delighted to see you
again"
~ am glad to rejoin you, father,
though l admit that / have had q de-
lightful trip"
The next will be your wedding Jour
ney, my boy. Ny negotiations with
my old friend. Baron Mettiuci. have
resulted in the betrothal OF yourself
to his daughter"
The young mans brow darkened
ominously. His father saw the change
of expression and said anxiously'
"Giuseppe, you appear to be disap'
pointed"
Giuseppe made no reply.
did you not write me-" pursued the
father. mot a week ago that you had
no preference as TO whom you should
marry and would leave the matter to
mel"
II did. But a single evening has
changed all that l came by way OF
Lake Maggiori. The moon was full
and unclouded On one side the peaks
were bathed In its soft light on the
other they were black. l sat on deck
with a young girl had just met whose
beauty, whose
"Foolr' interrupted the father. How
long did the moonlight last2 No later
than dawn And how long must you
live with a wife? Till you are parted
by death, for in our church. as yof
know, there Is no divorce For thu
dissolving moonlight, for this face OF
a young girl, doubtless softened by II