The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-12-18
By EUNlG BLAKE

Oil OIOeI WVuuou tuoI SA0 gu "oc W
the higher class. There would be no
such thing as scraping an acquaint.
ance. Edgerton followed her with bis
eyes till she passed out of sight; then
a a who had been sitting on an op.
posite side of the walk arose and, ad-
vancing toward him. raised his hat po-
litely and said:
Would signor like to make the &C
quaintance of the young lady who has
just passed."
Most assuredlyT'
"With a view to marriage?"
"Can l not make her acquaintance
without marriageT"
with what object? The young lady
Is of a manageable age: her parents
do not desire young men to be atten-
tive to her except with a view to mar.
riage. But we have a custom here by
which you can be introduced to a lady
with a view to marriage. If you do
not car to complete the transaction
you simply forfeit my feel am a
marriage broker-and any other ex.
penses that may accrue"
Edgerton was so DESTROYS of seeing
more of the beautiful Italian that he
gave the broker an order to arrange a
marriage between him and her ut
once The man did not seem to hes
itate at making the proposition. espe-
cially when Edgerton told him that he
had an income Of $4,000 a year. The
man was somewhat disappointed that
his client had no family crest, but
thought the income would make up for
this deficiency.
The Introduction took place. Edger
ton spoke very little Italian. and 81
gnorina Cont spoke no English. But
they managed to make themselves IN
derstood. and Edgerton enjoyed a very
pleasant visit. Later the American was
Informed that his proposition was ac
-cepted. W.
The question arose us to what should
be Edgerton's next step. He had made
the proposition for the purpose of meet.
ing in a friendly way one whose beau
ty he so ardently admired. relying on
the fact that he could forfeit the com
mission and no harm be done. But now
that his offer had been accepted 1t oc-
CURED to him that to back out would
be a slight to the young lady. he did
not consider such a marriage best for
either her or him. Signorina Conti's
connections were all Italian. while his
were American. He would have to
take her away from her native land.
for which she would always pine. and.
as to making Italy his home. it was
not to be considered. But how with
draw from the arrangement without
appearing to put a slight upon the
young lady?
Edgerton was nearsighted and wore
glasses. Rather he wore q monocle.
for he had lived in England. and at
that time monocles were more common
than they r now. He called on his
marriage broker and said to him:
Before completing this arrangement
I have a confession to make to Signo-
rina Cont"
1.-THE signorina. signor, has nothing
to do with the matter. 1t is all in the
hands Of her parents"
This made Edgerton feel easier in
his conscience. He had no especial
objection to the part he was playing.
provided no one was concerned except
the old folks.
"Well. them" he continued, II desire
that you inform Signor Cont that I
am not a perfect man. wear a glass
eye"
II do not think" said the broker
m%editatively. that this will prevent
the marriage so far as the parents are
concerned. Signorina Cont may OBJ
tect to Won on that account, but. after
all. she must obey her parents"
THAT will not suit me at all" re
piled Edgerton. 81 wish a written
statement from the signorina that she
marries me because she loves me and
with the knowledge that I wear a glass
eye. Unless you will bring me a state.
ment to that effect signed by her !
will consider the matter OF"
Edgerton convinced the broker that
unless he followed his direction he
would lose his fee. He therefore de-
iivered the message to the young lady
without her parents knowledge.
The signorina. had an aunt who had
lost one Of her eyes and wore q glass
eye in its place. Seeing the article
removed at times and replaced in its
socket had been 80 repugnant to the
girl that she could not stand the pros.
pect Of living with a nan who was in
a similar condition. She took the re
sponsibility ON herself Of releasing the
applicant for her hand
Edgerton not only paid the broker
age. but sent a handsome present to
the young lady. He didn't reveal the
fact, however. that his glass eye was
worn outside a natural one.