Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-05-10

throw away a splendid opportunity"
The interview ended, as all sucn IN
terviews are bound to end, In quar-
rel. But Giuseppe stood firm as rock.
His attachment to the girl VINO IN
| few hours had won his heart was TOO
strong for the father who had begot-
ten him and brought him up. The boy
declined to accede to the marriage
that had been arranged for him.
The Tote ball was coming on, and 1t
was necessary for Count Bertinetu to
announce to his friend that Giuseppe
repudiated the contract. The count
went to the baron's villa and told the
| story.
do you mean. count" asked the
baron, "that l am to suffer, through
my daughter, this insult from you. NY
old friend"
"What can 1 do?'
The baron drew down the corners of
his mouth, closed his lips tight tc@rth-
er and finally spoke:
"Be it so. The contract Is broken"
1t was only the next evening that
the Tote ball took place. There was
| to be no introduction between Gtu-
seppe and Blanca Mettiuci. Indeed,
the girls father, had he been present
at the ball, would have considered q
request for an introduction an addt-
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 a rosebud
to firt and dance with, but refrained.
He was thinking of her he had met on
Lake Maggiori.
Suddenly his eye lighted. There on
the floor, waltZing with a young lieu
tenant, was the object Of his thoughts.
He followed her with his eyes and II
soon as she ceased to dance ap-
preached and spoke to her. She re-
ceived him with a smile of delight
and, nodding dismissal to the llrh-
tenant, walked away with Giuseppe.
During their promenade the young
count said to her:
"Do you know that at this ball was
to have been presented to a girl to
whom l had been contracted in mar
riage"
And was to have met a young
man whom my father had accepted as
a husband for me. My betrothed de-
clined the match"
"Are you glad he did so" asked
Giuseppe in low voice, pressing the
hand that rested on his arm.
Yes" she said in q still softer voice.
Giuseppe was thrilled with delight.
"Who was to have been your
fance?" 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"
81 am"
| Heavens! What have | done"
what do you mean? Explain"
II nave r~fused to marry YOU
| IL NdS luC '~lUIn ~ iOOh coA-
| 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 fame. And so 1t was
with both these young people.
II will GO to your father at once"
said Giuseppe. II will withdraw my
refusal. I will'-
mo, no. not now. Papa IS terribly
angry. 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 | doubt II
he ever will consent TO one now"
Then will go to my father. He
| and the baron are old friends. My
father will apologize for me. He will
| get on his knees
The girl smiled.
NO, ue W III thdh tAA' iN'NJ ~
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 en-
abed them to throw of 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
| he'd. 90 at once to the baron and en-
deayor to effect renewal of the con-
tract. Naturally the father was OPP
posed to going on such an errand at
2 o'clock in the morning and told his
son to 80 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.
| r1;, f,+bor Io,t hi, nroyniSa and nv