Putnam patriot., 1911-07-28
A Broken Contract u.;,o q Romance of Northern Italy
 Hall Century Ago
By LUIGI CAPRoN ...,rieht by American Press Asso- wy ciation, 1911.

,or+bern Italy during tne spring or ao. .ost when in America the southern loo-' ona after another, were leaving s'a'er T,,ion and wheeling into Confed- m .a line; when northern men were eisss ,'ur for a great war and hurrying olnd o-ard to occupy those states that iu mart loyal to the north and part Va Va to ioin the southern side.
 Fas Inc land where the story was en- ..+sa q crisis that was to result in se''s sormation of nation was taking w' vicfor Emmanuel, Cavour, Gari- P T wore endeavoring to draw to- .sar uas the different parts of Italy and s sel,o them in a nation. Garibaldi had un rht in the islands of Sicily and Ma attaching them to the kingdom p sordinia: Rome hung in the bal vaniee was still under the domi- nation of Austria
 '. Tnrin. the capital of Piedmont Is If so much of Italy as had been a~s aD far united, in the villa of one of sDss 1's. oristocratic families whose titles sa come down from medieval times tro elderly men. Count Bertinetti and p.rop Mettiuei. sat in conference. 1 think" said the baron, that l .n ao better for my daughter than to uarrv her to your son, both in the way of file and fortune. Nevertheless, s,,so we are old friends, ] yield the noint and give my consent" q am delighted, baron, at the pros ..,t of uniting our families" repeat iS tho other. q take it that we shall | s.ro m trouble with the young people. Tboy have never seen each other, but | .i,oa they have both been brought up "a obedience in the choice of mate am snre they will make no opposition. Ny son might rebel if he had made an attachment, but have heard from hin recently, and he assures me that be has no preferences and will accept Ap bride provide for him."
 a4nd assure you, count. that my dsnebter will obey me Besides, she has had no opportunity to form any at tscbment She is still in the Convent If the Sacred Heart at Milan, where she is finishing her education. intend ,n present her to society at the coming Tote ball"
 The Tote ball. held every spring at Turin. was given for this very purpose ot otintrodncing debutantes of aristocrat- k families. Fresh from their convents, dressed becomingly, animated with his their first view of the social world. they formed a scene charming to look upon. They were all, or nearly all, soon provided with husbands having themselves nothing to do with the pro- yision). married immediately and might thereafter receive all the attention they lsed from the hosts of admirers who e0wded about them.
 My son." replied Count Bertinett, "s now travelling, but will arrive In Turin for the ball. I 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 CTS, 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 matter of love.
 Tagree with you. count My daugh- ter leaves the convent in a few days, and will give directions to her moth CT that she be kept like a bird in a cage till she is set free in the ball. rOm."
 This closed the interview, and the two friends separated
 Within a few days after the meeting h which was arranged one of those nariages of convenience without love, common among the aristocracy of Eu- fupe, young Count Giuseppe Bertinetu aighted from a post chaise at his Ia thers door and entered the house
 "Ah, my son." exclaimed the older man. kissing his offspring on both cheeks, T am delighted to see you again
 T am glad to rejoin you, father, tlough admit that I have had a de- fghtful trip"
 The next will be your wedding jour Fey' my boy. My negotiations with ny old friend. Baron Mettiuci. have Sulted in the betrothal of yourself his daughter"
 ine young mans brow darkened nhously. His father saw the change
 expression and said anxiously, eluseppe, you appear to be disap- fOintedr
 giuseppe made no reply.
 Dad you not write me" pursued the -'aer not a week ago that you had
 preference as to whom you should
 Efy and would leave the matter to
 dld. But a single evening has u4nged all that. I came by way Of 'Ae Maggiori The moon was full
 unciouded. On one side the peaks
 e bathed in its soft light. on the lef they were black. I sat on deck aa young girl had just met whose eaaty whose"-
 fo9lE interrupted the father How
 aid the moonlight last? No later sl dawn And how long must you
 with a wife? Till you are parted
 ueath. for in our church. as you w there is no divorce. For this
 'Flng moonlight, for this face Of
 s9uAg girl. doubtless softened by it
 which will soon belong either to ' skinny old woman. you will - away a splendid opportunity" -e Interview ended. as all such in-
 's~s are bound to end, in quar-
 DuI N4iEI Say,rer, eford E.r,, a rOCk.