Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-15


for space; then he said.
How old are you, Stellar"
She thought moment.
Nineteen, uncle"
"Nineteen-a chldl' he mnrmured
then he looked at her, and his lips
moved inaddibly as he thought,
Beautiful as an angel" but she heard
him. and her face flushed. but the next
moment she looked up frankly and
simply
You would not say that much if
you had seen my mamma. She was
beautiful as an angel. Papa used to
say that he wished you could have
seen her; that you would have liked
TO paint her Yes, sire was beautiful.
The artist nodded.
Poor, motherless child" he muir
INJURED.
Eyes, she was beautiful" continued
the girl softly. Il can just remember
her, uncle. Papa never recovered
rrom her death. He always said that
he counted the days till he should
meet her again. He loved her so. you
see."
There was silence again; then the
artist spoke:
''You speak English with scarcely
an accent, Stella"
The girl laughed; 1t was the first
time she had laughed, and it caused
the uncle to start. 1t was not only be-
cause 1t was unexpected, but because
of its exquisite music. 1t was like the
thrill of bird. In an instant he felt
that her childish sorrow had not i'm
FILTERED her life or broken her spirit
He found himself almost unconsciously
laughing in harmony.
What strange observation, uncle!
she said. when the laugh had died
away. why l am English! right to
the backbone, as papa used to say
Often aud often he used to look at me
and say: ITALY has no part and par
eel in you beyond your birth, Stella;
you belong to that little island which
floats On the Atlantic and rules the
world Ga, yes. am English. [
should be sorry to be anything else.
Notwithstanding mamma was an
italian"
He nodded
yes, remember HaroId--your
father always said you were an Eng
lish girl l am glad of that"
SO am /" said the girl, naively.
Then he relapsed into one of his
dreamy silences, and she waited silent
and motionless. Suddenly he felt her
culver under his arm, and heaye d
long, deep sigh.
With a start he looked down; her
face had gone woefully pale to the very
lips.
"Stella!| he cried, what is it? Are
Iyou i'll? Great Heayen!"
She smiled up at him.
No, no, only a little tired; and,
with naive simplicity. II think am a
little hungry. You see, only had
enough for the fare"
Heaven forgive mel" he cried
starting up so suddenly as almost ta
upset her Here have been dream
fng and incoming while the child was
staarying What brainless idiot
Eam!"
And in his excitement he hurried
up and down the room, knocking over
a painting here and lay figure there
and looking aimIessly about as IL he
Expected to see something in the shape
Of food floating in the air.
At last with his hand to his brow be
bethought him of the bell. and rang IL
until the little cottage resounded as
if it were fire-engine station. There
was hurried patter of footsteps out
side, the door was suddenly opened
and a middle-s q woman ran in, with
a cap very Oh awry and a face
startled and flushed.
! Gracious me, sir, what's the mat
teri" she exclaimed.
Mr.. Etheridge dropped the bell, ana
without a word Of explanation, ex
claimed-"Bring something TO eat al
once. Mrs Penfold, and some wine, al
once, please. The poor child is starv-
ingi"
The woman looked at him with
amazement, that increased as glancing
round the room she failed to see any
poor child Stella being hidden behind
the antique high-backed chair.
Poor child. what poor child! You'vc
been dreaming, Mr.. Etheridge!"
mo, no." he said, meekly; tits all
true, Mrs. Penfold. She has come all
the way from Florence without a NOR
sci to eat"
| Stella rose from her ambush
Not all the way from Florence,
uncle" she said.
Mrs. Penfold started and stared at
the visitor.
Good gracious mel" she exclaimed
who is it?"
Mr.. EtherSdge rubbed his brows
Did | not tell you? 1t is my niece
my niece Stella She has come
from italy. and--I wish you'd bring
some food. Bring a bottle of the old
wine. Sit down and rest, Stella, This
Is Mrs Peafold--she is my house
keeper, and a good woman but, he
aided. without lowering his tone ia
the slightest. tt ough he was evidently
under the idea that he was inaudible
but rather slow in comprehension.