Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-05-10
A Broken
Contract
Being a Romance Of Northern Italy
Half Century Ago
By LUIGI CAPRONl
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

states, one after another, were leaving
the Union and wheeling into Confed
crate line; when northern men were
dri..ing for q great war and hurrylne
forward to occupy those states that
were part loyal to the north and part
ready to join the southern side.
In the land where the story was en-
acted crisis that was to result IN
the formation of a nation was taking
place. Victor Emmanuel, Cavour, Carl
baldi. were endeavoring to draw to-
gether the different parts Of Italy and
mite them in a nation. Garibaldi had
brought in the islands Of Sicily and Ma
ples, 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 Bertinetti 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"
'T am delighted, baron, at the pros
pect of uniting our families" repeat
ed the other. II take it that we snall
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.
NY son might rebel if he had made an
attachment, but | have heard from
him recently, and he assures me that
he has no preferences and will accept
the bride I provide for him"
"And 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. l intenc
to present her to society at the coming
Tote ball.
The Tote ball, held every spring al
Turin, was given for this very purpose
of introducing debutantes OF oristocrat
ic families. Fresh from their converts
dressed becomingly, animated VIII
this their first view Of the social world
they formed q scene charming to looH
upon. They were all, or nearly all
soon provided with husbands haVlne
themselves nothing to do with the pro
yision), married Immediately and might
thereafter receive all the attention they
liked from the hosts of admirers VINO
crowded about them.
my son." replied Count Bertinetd
sis now travelling, but Will arrive II
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 II
such an introduction. The music, tint
array of beautifully dressed young
women and we'll groomed young men
the adornment and perfume of flow
ers, the ripple Of chat. mingled VIII
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-"
"I agree with you, count My daugh'
fer leaves the convent in few days
and l will give directions to her moth
er that she be kept like bird IN a
cage till she is set free in the ball
room"
This closed the interview, and the
two friends separated.
Within 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 Bertinett
alighted from a post chaise at his Ia
theirs door and entered the house.
"Ah, my son." exclaimed the Older
man, kissing his offspring on Dotf
cheeks, 81 am delighted to see you
again"
az am glad to rejoin you, father
though I admit that l have had oe
lightful trip"
1.-The next will be your wedding jour
ney, my boy. My negotiations Will
nv old friend, Baron Mettiuci, have
resulted in the betrothal of yourself
to his daughter"
The young mans brow darkene(
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 INT
father. mot q week ago that you nat
no preference as to whom you shoule
marry and would leave the matter t'
me?"
az did. But q single evening ma:
changed all that. I came by way O
Lake Maggiori. The moon was fu
and unclouded. On one side the peak
were bathed in Its soft light. on tn
other they were black. | sat on dec
with young girl had just met who's
beauty, whose
"Foolw interrupted the father. "Hoy
long did the moonlight last? No late
| than dawn And how long must yo
live with wife? Till you are parte
by death. for in our church. as 20
know, there is no divorce. For tnl
dissolving moonlight. for this race o
a Young girl, doubtless softened Dy