The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-07-28


''Be it so. The contract is broken"
1t was only the next evening tina
the Tote ball took place. There wa
to be no introduction between Giu
seppe and Blanca Mettiuci. Indeed
the girls father, had he been presen
Mt the ball, would have considered {
request for an introduction an add
tional insult. Giuseppe had no thought
as to the girl being present and If he
had would have naturally kept out Of
her way. He found many rosebud
to ffirt and dance with, but refrained
He was thinking of her he had met or
Lake Maggiori.
Suddenly his eye lighted. There or
the floor, Waiting with young lieu
tenant, was the object of his thoughts
He followed her with his eyes and as
soon as she ceased to dance ap
preached and spoke to her. She re-
ceived him with a smile of delight
and, nodding a dismissal to the lieu
tenant, walked away with Giuseppe.
During their promenade the young
count said to her: a.
"Do you know that at this ball l was
to have been presented to a girl to
whom 1 had been contracted in mar
riage?"
"And l was to have met young
man whom my father had accepted as
husband for me. My betrothed de-
clined the match"
"Are you glad he did SOP" asked
Giuseppe in low voice, pressing the
hand that rested on his arm.
Eyes" she said in a still softer voice,
Giuseppe was thrilled with delight.
"Who was to have been your
fiance" he asked presently.
"a son of Count Bertinetti."
"Whatr' exclaimed Giuseppe, turn
ing his eyes upon her in wonder and
In horror.
She repeated the name.
"And you are Blanca Mettiuci?"
II am"
Heavens! What have I done|
"What do you mean? Explain"
II have refused to marry you"
1t was the girls turn to look sur
prised, but she said nothing. Indeed,
there was nothing to say. Her young
heart had gone out to the first man
she had met after leaving the con-
vent under the influence Of the scenery
Of the beautiful Italian lake bathed in
moonlight. But, slight as may be the
spark that kindles love, it may lead to
the bursting of a fame. And so it was
with both these young people.
Il will go to your father at once"
said Giuseppe. Il will withdraw my
refusal. I will'-
"No, no, not now. Papa Is terribly
angry. l fear he will never get over
the insult that he considers has been
offered him. AS he feels at present he
would be only too glad to refuse re-
newal of the contract, and l doubt If
he ever will consent to one now"
"Then will go to my father. BE
and the baron are old friends. My
father will apologize for me. He will
get on his knees
The girl smiled.
"No; he will say that l am ready to
get on my knees before him, beg his
pardon, offer to do any penance he
may name"
LET us enjoy the evening together
while it lasts; we may never have such
another"
Enjoy it! am half crazed at what
have done"
Not only does youth live for the
present moment, but is full of hope.
These two would not have been young
had not the delight of being together
and their enhancing surroundings ell
abled them to throw off the cloud that
hung over them. If the moOnlit lake
had first drawn them together, this
ballroom, voluptuous, yet above which
hung for them a cloud, strengthened
the bond that united their hearts. Per-
haps the cloud-the terrible mistake
that was now likely to separate them
did more to cement them than either
Of the other causes.
AS soon as Giuseppe reached home
he aroused his father from slumber
told him Of the mistake that had been
made and begged him to get out of
bed, go at once to the baron and en-
deavor to effect renewal of the con-
tract. Naturally the father was op-
posed to going on such an errand at
2 o'clock in the morning and, told his
son to go to bed, promising to see the
baron as early the next day as it
would be proper for him to call.
Giuseppe walked the floor till dawn
His father kept his promise and by
10 o'clock called on the baron. Giuseppe
went with him, but on reaching point
some distance from the villa stopped
to watch his fathers entry and to
wait for his exit.
Two hours passed-they seemed like
Two days to Giuseppe-and still the
count failed to reappear. The lover,
the time occupied, feared
the worst. He was in despair when
he saw his father coming and ran to
meet him.
I've won," said the count.
Giuseppe fell into his fathers arms.
A Stationary GROWER.
'Well, how are you making 1t now"