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

in the air Of coy English eomfor
which the Brittons had managed t.
impari TO their rooms, and the furni
ture was scanty. though handsome O
Its kind. Carlo walked through his
yeranda and entered by the open win
dow Of the salotto, treading lightly a:
he saw that his mother lay asleep OF
her couch. He stole up to her. and
stood in silence watching the beauti
full worn face OF the invalid. He
thought how great a happiness was
/ in store for her and smiled. He
imagined Francesca bringing that
English air of home into this room
and thought how sweet ii would be
when he rode home each evening. to
( picture those two together waiting
for him. Looking on into the sunny
future. he forgot the present; hts
mother had opened her eyes. and had
watched him for some moments BIZ
fore he saw that she was awake.
AT last he looked down at her. and
met hes eyes shining into his with
perfect comprehension.
"Carlino, you bring me good news,
she exclaimed. drawing his face down
to hers. and kissing the smooth, rudd.t
brown cheek.
The best news, mother-the best
he replied, returning the embrace
"oh. mother I'm the happ'est man
in Italy"
"F'rancesca----7 began the signora
Francesca is mine-is mine!" he
broke in, she is coming you will
see her soon, madre mia
And her father?"
WAS kindnes itself. He will bring
her In this evening to see you. No
one could have been more friendly
saw him first, and then-then he
told me | might speak to her-that
should find her in the garden. After
ward, her first thought was for you
oh. mother, she will be to you the
daughter you have so much needed.
The tears started to the mothers
eyes.
"1nsomma, Now l have grieved
you. and made you think of poor
Nita: happiness made me forget al
else. Forgive me. little mother;
did not mean to make you think Of
the past
An" sobbed the Slgnora Donati
How can | help thinking OF it, Car
limo. when the contrast is 50 sharp
YOU coming 10 me thus with your joy
as a son should, and Aita bringing rae
only shame and grief and disgrace =
not even sending me one line of love
or regret all these years?'
She will come back. little mother
she will come back he said
soothingly, Some day she viii fee
her need OF you. Don't cry tonight
OF all nights in the year. shall
take it as a bad omen
Years had raised no barrier be
tween these two; Carlo was as frank
and open with his mother as when he
had been child; she had shared al
his hopes and fears during his long
time OF probation and now she shared
! his Joy, and was soon coaxed back e
cheerfuIness, as he told her more Of
what had passed at the Casa Bella
She was quite herself again as she
Went into dinner upon his avn; hel
grief was forgotten, she laughed mer
! rtly at his account of Enricos philO
sophical counsels, and felt a glow Of
pride and happiness as siic: lLU SeC
across the table at her son, who had
been all in all TO her for so many
years. Carlo was too happy to be
hungry but he pledged his mother
over bottle # Orvieto and they
drank Francesca's health, and clinked
glasses, and made merry.
The tete-a ;ete dinner at the Casa
Bella was quieler. but happy, too, in
It's way. The old captain beamed 81
lently from behind the sirloin. Fran
eesca looked radiant. They talked
| ftfully of the weather. of the orange
crop. OF the silk-worms, of the last
letter from England--of everything
In fact. except the one subject that
was nearest their hearts; but then
old Dino was waiting and II behooved
them 10 keep up appearances. Their
tongues we're Embossed by the appear
ence of Sibyl and the dessert, and the
disappearance of the servant
''sibyl," said the captain. taking
the little girl on his knee, what
would you think If we were TO have a
wedding here?'
"A wedding fa;her?" Sibyl clapped
her hands with delight. Oh, may |
Z