Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-12-02
Continued.

the place Is a little altered.
With some difficulty he enticed her
away, but no sooner were they alone
then her tears again broke forth
ON Carlo / am afraid / have been
too much for her" she exclaimed;
and yet-and yeti wanted so TO
come"
Yes, yes, / am so glad you came;
only we must be careful" said poor
Carlo distracted at the thought that
she was keeping him from his
mother, and much alarmed as he rec
objected how white and weary the in
valid had looked There. you will
lie down and rest till dinner time,
will YOU nOt?"
But l ought 10 go back" sobbed
Mia.
Not yet" he said; you must dine
first. And now promise me to rest.
There. / will not stay longer; | am a
little anxious she is not strong, you
know"
He tore himself away, and returned
as fast as possible to the salotto
His mothers face was hidden; he
could hear her low. gasping sobs
'Madre mia!" he cried, arA there
was anguish in his voice, oh, do not
give way. She has come back to us.
carina. All win be well II only you
will take care of yourself"
| must tell YOU" she sobbed.
Not now" he said--''not now,
mother. Indeed you must be quiet,
Or"
4 must speak" she said; lit Is
killing me. must speak now, that
you may promise me TO save her
From her husband?' he asked
anxious to lind how much she knew
No, no, from one she loves.
Don't look like that, Carlo-her hus-
band was 50 stern and cruel, and she
was afraid of him, ald-and this man
was kind
'Kind!' calculated Carlo. with
scorn indescribable.
He always tried to shield her fro N
her husband, and then, when iaey
were leaving America, she was in
debt and he lent her money and
Enough, darling, enough" he said,
with tenderness which contracted
strangely with his last ejaculation
she came and told you ALL and now
we can help her II you love me.
try TO rest"
But 1t was too late The shock and
the agitation had brought on one of
the signoras worst attacks. Carlo
hastily summoned servant and the
whole household came rushing to-
gether ia a miserable confusion OF
helplessness. But the maids only
glanced at their mistress face and
went away; they would have left
their own relations rather than have
stayed in room where the Death
Angel already lowered.
1t was then in his terrible. lonely
watch. that Carlo thanked Heaven
that Francesca was English The
doctor had already been sent for,
but le left his mother for a moment
and hurried toward the group of
weeping women gathered round Anita.
we have sent for Father Cristo-
foro. signor," said one, hoping for a
word of commentator for her fore
thought.
But Carlo took no notice. nor did
his stern face soften.
One of you go instantly he said,
and fetch Miss Brltton,'
Francesca knew little cf sickness,
nor had she ever seen death, but sh'
had none of the Italian shrinking
from a dying bed; in fact. every
thought OF herself was swallowed up
in the one longing to be able TO help
Carlo. Cutting short the servant S
fearful description of the signora' S
state. she rushed CYt, not even paus-
ing for hat. and never stopped run.
ming till she reached the villa Bruno.
Then she pushed past the little group
who would have detained her,
knocked at the door Of the salotto,
and softly entered the room where,
only a day or two before, they had
spent such n happy evening.
For a moment she stood amazed
able to think OF nothing but the havoc
wrought in SO short time. Her
lover knelt beside the couch, he
looked ten years older than when they
had parted that morning. The sig
nora. whose head rested Oh his arm
was haggard CHASTITY utterly changed
while the iudescribable look Of ap
preaching death upon her face seemed
reflected IN the young face which
bent over her
DARLING is there anything ! can
do said Francesca, when she had
wiped the damp brow and reverenlly
kissed the dying wtnan
Nothing" he ~~plied. except &c
stay here. You a. not mjud9" Tie
looked up AZ her with questioning
eyes, which yet WE sure Of their an
ewer
oh no" she sal Il ann So thank
ful YOU sent Tor me
long sigh escaped him be tried
20 sEiae T. lest IL should disturb his
mother who lay with closed eyes
And after TINT the room was perfectly
quiet, so quiet that Francesca could
hear the ticking Of her watch. while
the canary in the window. prcbng
he bars of his cage with his little
pink byak. seemed to MAKE a noise