Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-11-11
Continued.

hair WIN IL
They walked together up the path,
Francesca pausing TO pluck two or
three pieces from jungle Of maiden
hair growing about the old stones.
sThere!" she exclaimed, as they
sat down in the cool little arhor
while she twisted the ferns among
the flowers now are you content?''
mot quite he said; ! am clumsy
you will put them in Tor me-"
She fastened the flowers in bis
coat, and again her tiresome fingers
began to tremble Carlo. blessing
the sight. snatched her hand In his
and kissed It passionately
Francesca, forgive me-" he cried
Il could wait no longer; you win not
grudge me that one kiss My dar-
ling my darling, have waited such
long years for you"
His face glowing with love and de
gotion and eager hope, was raised to
hers. She only saw II for moment
for something made mist rise be-
fore her eyes, and when she could
see clearly again she did not dare to
meet his gaze she looked instead
out at the blue Mediterranean.
Il have loved you Francesca, since
you came back from England-since
you came and brought light and hap
piness 10 us after that dark time
told your fatber-begged him to let
me speak to you. and he babe me
wait. I have waited nearly FIVE years
Francesca. and, OH at times
scarcely knew how to trust myself
here Again and again | almost broke
my word but now your father gives
me leave to come to you, TO confess
my love My darling. look at me
speak TO mel"
She turned and gazed right into his
eager. wlstful eyes-a long, sweet
steadrast look; then her lips began to
quiveE a little. but she thought better
OF il and smiled instead
What do you want me tc say?'
Say" he cried eagerly. say
viii try to love you
She shook her head
4 can rover sEy that," she replied
aud once more cooked out seward.
bur the vehemence, the fire OF his
Italian nature, half frightened her
Despair was written on his face de
spair rang in his voice; he did moi
pause one moment to reflect.
Francesca francesca" he cried
"dont tell me | have come too late!
Ny love! my owe! can't live with
out you. unsay that never
Grieyed beyond measure that words
80 playully meant should hSg9 called
forth such a tropical gu burst she
wreathed her arms about his neck
and pressed her face to his.
Carlo mio' she sobbed. don
break my heart by misunderstanding
me; ! can never try to love you-be
cause--because~i love you already
The depth of love aud tenderness
IN her voice. the sweet abandonment
of her manner~-more reci!y maid
emily in its perfect sincerity than ans
coyness or hesitatiun-all this height
ened tc bliss Carlos rapture of love
The momentary mistake. the cloud
shadow that had threatened his sky
made the sunshine all the more ex
Qulsite. He could not speak word
but only clasped her close In the long
sweet embrace which symbolizet
their betrothal.
My own!" he murmured at last
MY own, YOU gave me one terrible
minute, To be without you Fran
eesca. that would be to be crucitied!'
He did not definitely think OF the
talk between the two Englishmen. but
the thought suggested that afternoon
had sunk deep into his mind. and the
agony of the brief mistake gave the
emphatic utteranee Of that last word
ten.fold power francesca breathed
fast; Love unlolded 10 her his won
derful face. hitherto 'ieiled; she was
awed by the thought of the immortal
passion, the undying devotion Of her
lover The strength and sacrodness
uf that last word he had used hlled
her heart with wondering love and
humility. His happiness. his life. was
In her keeping. and hers in his, Nor
tal man could never bear the strain ot
the one thought without the support
of the other.
After awhile they began TO weave
golden visions Of the future; Carrie
suggesting one nlaee and another, fol
which he tnous she had fancy
n certain ideal nook. called Qulsisana
ON the other side of Naples, where
once. years before she had said she
would like 10 build a house IL some
one would but leave her fortune q
pretty villa at Posilipo which she
used to admire. Ii touched her to
see how he remembered all her care
less. girlish speeches. and had treas
ured them up for years
All she said smiling 4 used ia
think place would make such a differ
euce but now. Carlo milo don't
care one bit. We will make a home
in he wilderness. il 1t so pleases
YOU or a, Naples, In a corner Of an
cid palace It's an one 20 me so long
as we are together"
He drew her yet closer 10 him.
They went on weaving their plans.
unconscious OF a small sprite ap.
preaching the summer.house. Sibyl
stood composedly in the doorway for
a moment quite unuoiced by the