The Press., 1915-01-27
Getting Out
 of It
By EUNICE BLAKE

David Edgerton. young American, was spending some time in an Italian city
 One day Edgerton was sitting on q bench ill the park sucking the ivory head of his cane when girl passed him with an older woman. The young lady was a beauty. Nearly all Italians are brunettes. but this young lady was one of the few Dlonds one sees in that country. It seemed to Edgerton that she had walked out of a painting of Titians that he had seen at the BorgheSe palace ill Rome. Her hair was light tinged with gold; her eyes were the only feature in her face that were of the prevailing Italian kind. being liquid brown.
 It was evident from her appearance. from her dress and being attended by an older woman that the girl was of the higher class. There would be no such thing as scraping an acquaint ance. Edgerton followed her with his eyes till she passed out of sight; then a man 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 ac- quaintance of the young lady who has just passed?' .....
 Most assuredly!'
 With view to marriage?"
 Gan I not make her acquaintance without marriageY
 with what object? The young lady is of marriageable age; her parents do not desire young men to be atten- tive to her except with view to mar riage. But we have a custom here by which you can be introduced to lady with view to marriage. If you do not care to complete the transaction you simply forfeit my feel am marriage broker-and any other ex penses that may accrue.'
 Edgerton was so desirous of seeing more of the beautiful Italian that he gave the broker an order to arrange a marriage between him and her at once. The man did not seem to he's itate at making the proposition, espe cially when Edgerton told him that he had an income of $1O.OO0 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 Si- gnorina Cont spoke no English. But they managed to make themselves un- derstood, and Edgerton enjoyed very pleasant visit. Later the American was informed that his proposition was ac cepted.
 The question arose as 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 it oc- cured to him that to back out would be 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 a monocle. for he had lived in England. and at hot than they are now. He called on his marriage broker and said to him:
 Before completing this arrangement I have a confession to make to Signo- rina Conti''
 ''The signorina, signor, has nothing to do with the matter. It 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, then" he continued, 'T desire that you inform Signor Cont that I am not perfect man. I wear glass eye"
 
 meditatively. that this will prevent the marriage so far as the parents are concerned. Signorina Cont may ob- ject to you on that account. but, after all, she must obey her parents" That will not suit me at all," re- piled Edgerton. 'I wish written statement from the signorina that she l marries me because she loves me and | with the knowledge that wear glass l eye. Unless you will bring me a state | ment to that effect signed by her I will consider the matter off, Edgerton convinced the broker that | unless he followed his direction he | would lose his fee. He therefore de. | livered the message to the young lady | without her parents knowledge. The signorina had an aunt who had | eye in its place. Seeing the article removed at times and replaced in its socket had been so repugnant to the girl that she could not stand the pros pect of living with man who was in n 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 q handsome present to the young lady. He didn't reveal the fact. however. that his glass eye was worn outside a natural one.
 Eating Oysters.
 Surely the queerest way of cooking
 ' year 1872, when Richardson. the fire eater. took live coal on his tongue, on this he put raw oyster in it's shell,