Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

I
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MILITARY LIFE.
" I want you."
Then she began stamping, rumpling
her hair with her two
hands, and uttering a low, monotonous moan, as children do
when they are pretending to cry. The persons round about
laughed. The officer looked at the people, then at the girl,
again at the people, and proceeded on his way. He had nearly
crossed the square unmolested, when, on reaching the opening
of the street leading to the port, he heard a light, rapid step
behind him, as if some one were running on tip-toe, and as
he was turning around, a low voice murmured with a strange
"
My treasure ! "
tone in his ear :
He felt a shudder run from head to foot ;
did not turn, but
hurried on with quickened pace.
"
My treasure ! "
Once more that voice murmured
:
" Come now," he cried out angrily, turning entirely around
to the girl,
who drew back
"
timidly, leave me in peace. Go
about your business. Do you understand "
?
The girl looked grieved, then smiled, moved a few steps forward,
and, stretching out her arm as if to caress the officer, who
quickly drew "
back, murmured : Don't be angry, little lieutenant."
" Go away
I tell you."
" You are my treasure."
" Go away, or I will call the soldiers, and have you put in
prison."
And he pointed to some soldiers who were standing
at the corner. Then the girl moved off slowly sideways, her
eyes always turned toward the officer, putting out her chin from
"
Mv
time to time, and repeating, just above her breath :
"
treasure !
" What a
"
pity
! said the lieutenant to himself, taking the
street to the port ;
" she is so lovely."