The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-12-14

N.
added, And, of course, they have
their devotions-their charities"
in the Cities" Ann continued def
nitely, "what do they do there?"
The ambassador leaned back in his
chair and expanded his white shirt
front genially. per Bacco such de-
lightful lives Not perhaps so ener-
getic as this Of yours, in this so charm
ing country, but always feminine. you
understand. 1t Is the custom in the
cities Of my country to drive in the
afternoon-in Roma, on the Corso, and,
in Firenze, in the Casino; the ladies
use the elegant open carriage like
those In which the Queen Victoria
drives. Also, because our king sane
lions 1t, 1t has recently become the
custom for the ladies to ride on the
horse In my country, as they do in Eng
land-but, you understand, with some
what less freedom. And there are
balls soirees-the opera-all those
entertainments which one finds in
capitals-and also, naturally, they
have their devotions-their charities"
Ann said nothing In response TO this.
She was wondering If the italian la
dies liked it, living cushioned lives like
that. After all, day had twenty-four
hours: the ambassadors sketch left
gaps her Imagination could not fill.
When the ladies were shawling,
Mrs. Rennneslyer murmured to Ann,
softly, "You are sly puss, my dear,
and 1t is no wonder that my poor boy
could not carry the day against such
rival"
She swept out before Ann could de-
fend herself, but on second thought
the girl decided it was perhaps as well
she had not had the occasion to ex-
plain to Hendricks mother that she
had never loved her son.
The dinner made a great difference
in the attitude Of the COrtlandts to-
ward her, there was no question about
that. Mrs. Renneslyer awarded her a
reluctant respect. while Mrs. William
deferred to her as though she were al
ready one of the magnificent Avez-
zanas about whom the Italian ambas-
sador had talked. AS result, AIMS
life was vastly more comfortable.
Fanny regarded her with dazzled eyes
she turned suddenly shy, and was
much too timid to discuss the possibili-
ties Of great marriage. AS for the
girl herself, she could not help enjoy
ing the extraordinary situation in
which she found herself, and her won.
derment as TO what AveZZana's next
move would be became a preoccupa-
ton. 1t was evident that Avezzana
considered the dinner definite step
in his courtship, for every day, follow
! ing that event, he sent her flowers
they arrived early in the morning
fresh and untouched by the September
heat. In the evening he came, formal
ly, to call on her and Mrs. william; 1t
was always a repetition Of his first
visit; the older woman was invariably
| present, and the conversation flowed
in shallow courses, SO that Ann found
herself swallowing yawns. Avezzana's
form of courtship was new and excit.
ing, but she came reluctantly to the
conclusion that she did not like him
particularly. 1t was all very perplex
| ing, but, at the same time, 1t was q
fascinating game.
When the proposal finally came she
was, for all her anticipation Of it
caught unaware. The italian came te
dinner in Washington square, ant
found her alone in the library. 1t was
obvious that the others would be there
in moment, and Ann had no expecta
ton of anything decisive impending
until, contrary to his habit, Avezzans
came close to her chair, and stood over
her with an air Of affectionate proprie
torship.
at is coming!" Ann thought, stag
gered and she began to talk rapidly Of
the extraordinary heat of the night
He brushed her simple defenses aside
with romantic gesture Of his hand.
81 have something to ask of you"
'"NO. Please don't ask me anything
Count AvezZana." She knew, as she
spoke, that he took her compunctior
for mere maidenly confusion.
He smiled, and surprised her
'Have your permission to call you by
your name? To call you Ann?"
In her relief, she almost laughed
"Oh-that? Yes, of course, If you
like"
This permission encouraged Avez
zana to an extraordinary extent. He
leaned closer to her, and the scent OF
his pomade enveloped her with ar
odor entirely different from that uset
by American men. "Grazia, milo Bella
You know, perhaps, why 1 have re
main so long in your city,"
II thought perhaps you liked IT,
Ann said nervously. 81 do"
Avezzana shrugged one of his slim
shoulders. No, l have remain so Ions
in your city because Of you, my Ann
| You must have-what is 1t you say?-
guessed, that it was my intention tC
ask you to do me the honor to be my
wife. Ever since that night at Gettys
burg"-he broke off, and for moment
his deep look flickered away-"but we
| will not talk of that-not now. II Is
only that since then / have the wish
but for one thing" He slipped his hano