Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-10-28

you dfb " gOufbCli- NOW Win mat
old English captain you walk as
though treading on eggs, you are
courteous and deferential: you never
forget that you hope to be his son-in-
law, and you'll never quarrel with him
at any rate, not until the hope has
becomf tame reality
The dry sardonic tone In which this
had been spoken turned Carlos in
dignant protest to laughter.
The only topic on which We are
likely to quarrel is politics; ana Us he
knows nothing of Italian affairs one
needs now and then adroitly to i'm
the conversation. But don't n. Ie
me speak against Captain Britton to-
dsv, AMIGO mio.'
"Ah. poor fellow" said Enrico, pity
ingly; Il knew he would prove the
crumpled rose-leaf to destroy your
perfect bliss. There is always a
father-in-law, or motherin-law. or a
cantankerous relative, who kicks up
a row about the settlements Don't
you expect the course of your true
love to run smooth-that's against ma
ture."
As he spoke he glanced rather
anxiously at a large boarding which
they were approaching. rapidly run
ming his eye over the theatrical post
ers. but. much to his relief, the Mer-
cadante bills were not yet out
You are as depressing as a
funeral" said Carlo, much tickled by
the notion that the substantial Eng
lishman was crumpled rose-leaf;
and indeed, if have no worse crook
in my lot than Captain Britton,
shall fare well. No one could nave
been more courteous and helpful to
my mother all these years, no one
could have been more genial and
hospitable to me. OF course we all
have our faults.
TOO true!' said Eurico, moeklngly.
The Englishman loves a lord, and
has an eye to the main chance, and
knows that you are heir to a certain
rich uncle. and that unless the money
Is secured and tied up in the ortho-
dox English fashion, 1t will all be
flung away upon Young Italy. or
some hare. Drained scheme for educat-
ing grinders
II we were not In the public
street would punish you Welt" cried
Carlo There never was such a fell
low for imputing low motives to all
the world"
Well, well, rail at me as you like,
said Bnrico. indifferently; but as yet
have never found myself at fault in
assuming that egoism rules the uni
verse. All, your horse is waiting for
You. see. and the hostler tries to
look hot and tired to cajole large
coin from you. A rivederci! But |
advise you to avoid Naples for the
next few days; don't come to me for
sympathy in your rapture. for I've not
the smallest doubt that love is ego
ism, and marriage is egoism, and
You are incorrigible!' cried Carlo,
as he mounted the beautiful Arab
which was waiting for him. "I'll not
wait TO hear You out And. with
wave of the hand. he rode off, looking
back laughingly at the interrupted
egoist. who, with a shrug of the
shoulders. turned away
And yet it was something quite
other than egoism which brought
grave look to Enrieos face as he
walked home through the sunny
streets. Suddenly percelving an up
right alert-lool<ing old man ON the OPP
posite side of the way, he crossed the
road and fastened after him.
Pardon me. Signor Piale!" he ex-
claimed. but may | ask you a ques
ton? You are probably acquainted
with all that is going on in the must
cal world. Is this true that / see to-
day in the Piccolo? Is Merlino's com
pany really corning to the Merca-
dante?'
Diavaiu 1t Is true enough more's
the pity replied the old man: but
have not said word of ic to my
pupil, Carlo Is over-sensitive; he
felt that affair too much; only of late
has he seemed to have forgotten il
somewhat He is one whose life
should have been exempt from shad-
ows"
Il should have thought common de-
cency would have kept Merlino away
from Naples, said Enrico, holly.
Merhno does not care a fig for
common deceucy," said the old must.
clan. He is no credit to our pro
fesSion. Probably he knows well
epough that the Merlino-Donati scan.
.dal Is just fresh enough in men
minds TO make his operas draw we'll.
Let us, at least. do our best to
keep back the i'll news as long as pos.
sibe,r said Enrico; "it will be a
Grightful annoyance to Carlo just now,
and | d. believe it will be the death
Of his mother"
ris always the innocent who sui
fer for the guilty" said the old sing
inymaster giving fierce rub to his
parchmentlike cheek III ever there
was one who deserved 10 he free from
care, Why il is Carlo: there are but
few nowadays who could show so
/ blamejess life