Evening star., 1927-09-22
WORLD.FAMOUS STORIES
THE KISS WAGER
BY LUIGI CAPUNA

Luigi Capuna is an Italian writer OF de-
&ghtful short stories; His name ana WORK
are so far but little known IN A Amem1a 1rnr;
entirely hidden in obscurity
They were playing parlor games.
and the forfeit assigned TO the Mar
chesa Bellati was to give satisfac-
tion to the ear"
That is to say, she had to so
around to each person present and
make him or her proposal to which
he or she agreed and acknowledged
heing satisfied thereby. The direc-
tor Of the game was ineXorable; he
took her around by the arm and wait
ed Stiffiy until the person into whose
ear she bent declared himself salts
fed
The ladies were satisfied at once
no doubt the marChesa was able
TO make shrewd Gucsses at desires
and aspirations which in strict con
fidence. they did not hesitate to ac-
knowledge. The men, all save one.
were even more indulgent-they We're
satisfied, indeed, merely by the pri-
vilege of feasting their eyes upon the
beautiful marchesa.
There remained only the Baron
Foil, a young and handsome man,
hle. He had been making it a point
TO repeat to the marchesa declarations.
Of love. and to propheSy that she
would fall in love with him one day.
lie said her not having done so was
ineXplicable-she admitted that it was
ineXplicable, but insisted that the fact
remained that she had not done So
and they nicknamed the baron THE
IneXplicable," half in jest. So far the
affair had not proceeded beyond jest
ing.
Seeing the marchesa approaching
to pay her forfeit with him, the last
person left to be satisfied by the con
1idental whisper in the ear. the baron
settled himself with the naughty air
of man extremely difficult to please.
Please the marchesa pleaded,
Don't be disagreeable or l won't
bother with you
1T is fortunate that the law is
present" replied the baron, indicating
the dignitied director of the game at
the marchesa's elbow
Resigning herself, the marchesa sat
down beside the baron and proposed:
Would YOU be satisfied if l We're in
love with you?"
THAT is hardly enough. You will
be sooner or later, anyhow"
what impertinence"'
Nevertheless, it is not enough. Try
again." said the baron.
"If l should find you n beautiful
wife with a dowry of ten millions?"
THAT is too much. She would
squander the millions"
Then the millions alone?"
Il should not know what to do with
so much money. 1 am a man of
extraordinary virtue and modesty."
The marChesa sighed-this would
drag on forever. She made some 80
propositions, but the baron was un-
yielding. evasive, answering her with
absurdities.
I shall be satisfied" he asked her
finally.
by all means. 1t is sure to be
something very stupid"
mo, it is the simplest thing in the
world"
well what is it? Come, tell mer
"But first we must make a wager"
"a wager? All right. What is the
stake?"
Your hand-in marriage"
"Ohp' exclaimed the marchesa. "The
prize-for what?" l
Listen" replied the baron. bend
ing closer to her ear. II shall never
be satisfied until the, ,day when l can
give you-note these conditions care
fully-without your consent and with
out your resistance, but calmly and
quite at my leisure, a kiss, fair and
square upon your lips. Are you will
ing to accept"
The marchesa, turning as brilliant
ly red as a cherry, suddenly sat up
% chn
it really seem to you such very
simple thing? Are you aware that
THE handsomest young man and
the most brilliant in all creation
yes, 1 am" replied the baron. and
that is my opinion, too"
The marcheSa arose.
Pardon me-" said the director of
the game, ''but the baron has not yet
declared himself satisfied
Perfectly satisfied" replied the
baron.
"O-o-oh," everybody exclaimed in
astonishment.
Three months passed In the parlor
of the marchesa the Baron Foil and a
commander, a friend of his, were
being entertained. They were staying
late, much too late. The commander
was discussing the very dull subject
of railroads. 1t seemed as though
they would never leave. The marcheSa
ordered her maid to make her bed
ready. But she was between the
baron and the commander-it would
he rude to pass between them to
escape. She tried to catch the baron's
eye, but in vain. They talked on and
on, those men, and the talk grew
duller and more boresome.
The marchesa was plainly giving
in to fatigue. Finally she threw her
self back against the cushions of her
easy chair and closed her eyes half
shut, keeping her face hidden by the
shadow thrown by the lampshade in
her direction. 1t was just after this
that her fan slipped from between her
fingers.
The baron made a sign to the COM
mander which meant, Keep right on
talking" And he rose, very softly
from his chair
Going over to the marchesa, the
baron kissed her, fair and square on
the lips. The marchesa gave cry
and covered her face with her hands