The sun., 1918-07-08
CUPID OPENS PRISON
BARS FOR WEDDING
Antonio Nabinato, Veronese
Sweetheart, Out Long
Enough to Marry.
POLICE HEAR LOVE SONG
His Inability to Display Draft
Card Gets Him Into
Difficulties.


Nabinato springs from ancestors who
dwelt these many centuries in fair
Verona, not far from that sacred spot
where tradition says Juliet may have
heard first the trilling love notes OF
Romeo. that caused the policemen in
the East 104th street station to listen
in silence last night when the notes OF
an ancient love song came softly from
the cell house where Antonio lay peace
fully upon the hard variety Of pallet
common to Harlem bastiles.
1t may be that to-day will como the
order sentencing Antonio to 60 forth as
warrior in khaki to fight for that
democracy which last night held no
place at all in the thoughts of him who
sang and then whistled ever 80 sweetly
the love song Of the Veronese whose
ancient piles. even as Antonio sang.
slumbered under the guns of his de-
Tending countrymen.
But that was of the morrow, and
Antonio's thoughts drifted only to the
hours that had Just passed. and for the
fruits of which he was willing. even
anxious, that to-day might give him the
opportunity of going forth into the army
that would protect her who had inspired
the soft notes which held the attention
OF the bluecoated listeners.
His Joy Interrupted.
In somewhat the same Arcadian
heights was Antonio fitting. his hands
dug deep in his pockets. when at
o'clock Saturday morning Policeman
Do tt, he oh dar
at I1lth street and Lexington avenue
and asked him in plain English to dis
play his draft card CONSERVATION
spread over the happy face OF Antonio
| and meekly he replied he had none. So
Antonio went to the calaboose upon the
charge that he had failed to fill out a
QUESTIONABLE.
Through the dismal hours of the night
Antonio sat in his cell, instead of slum-
bering on his own couch at 1853 Second
avenue and dreaming Of her whom he
had just left when the policeman inter
rupted his Joy. Daylight came. and with
the advancing hours. Lieut.. Manchester
was addressed as he sat entering the
doings OF his precinct upon the police
hlotter. by Maria leila, 20, and of suf-
ficient attractiveness of feature to cause
the police officer at once to lay aside
his pen.
1T is Antonio should see." requested
Maria, and though the rules are some
what rigid. Lieut. Manchester saw that
Antonio and Maria had a moment or
two together in the far corner OF the
big room in the police station. And
then. few minutes later:
He is my sweetheart and We would
| like to he married--now
The announcement destroyed only for
ont no tn,,t
action.
Conway shouted Manchester, and
out Of the squad room came big,
| pleasant faced policeman.
Lieutenant Assigns Escort.
you, Conway" continued the Lieu
tenant. "trot down to the Municipal
Building with this pair and get them
married. Then bring Antonio back"
So 1t was that half an hour later, the
| marriage license having been obtained
Maria and Antonio answered affirma-
lively all the questions put 10 them in
the city's marriage chapel Antonio
| had purchased a wedding ring several
! days before, anticipating that Maria
would say yes to the question he had
been seeking courage TO ask her each
night for more than week.
Conway led his charge back to the
/ station just before noon, and Antonio had
! just become comfortable in his cell agair
when Maria appeared. bearing n tray, and
delscacies such as Antonio may expect
| once they get TO the little fiat, which
Maria cOinfided to Lieut.. Manchester, |,
TO be theirs as soon as Antonio emerge.
| from his present difficulty.
| Meantime Antonio must wait until tn,
| Federal authorities make certain whether
he failed to return questionnaire. AnC
| II he did. then custom says he must b,
| indicted at once into the army and e.
forth to fight. perhaps with the American
! troops in Italy, perhaps even to Verona
whence came Antonio and his parent!
! the many years ago. And Maria sh,
told the Lieutenant she will wait ant
! wait