Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-12-02
knight Grant
By EDNA LYALL

The words were gasped out with an
agony of tone indescribable. But yet
it was not till Carlos answer was
given that Francesca's eyes brimmed
over with tears.
Il promise, malre mia-I promise. ~
His face was like the face OF a
Saviour. strong, pure, and sweet;
his voice was firm and clear. No
one could have helped trusting him.
A look OF rest-eyen of hopefulness
stole over his mothers face. She
lay still for few minutes, then
turned again to Francesca with a
most beautiful smile.
He has never given me one mo-
ments sorrow all mis- life she said
The words, which would be sweet
to remember in after years, which
might bring In time to the lips OF the
son reflection of the mothers smile
as she uttered them, were, just then,
more than ne could endure. His for
fitude gave way; he had little to re-
proach himself with, yet 1t grieved
him now 10 remember that at times II
had been a hard struggle to leave Ma
pies and return to the quiet of villa
Bruno. and that sometimes he had
perhaps fingered a little longer than
he should have done at Casa Bella
Now his days Of service were over;
she would no longer need his help.
with a cry which tore Francescas
heart ne bent down, clasping the dy-
ing form yet closer as he sobbed out
a passionate appeal:
Mother. mother, do not leave rae!
Blu. the signora was past hearing
past speaking only she felt his close
embrace, and, feebly raising her left
hand, passed it behind his head with
that gentle pressure-half caress, half
support which every woman knows
how to bestow on a baby. And
thus they stayed till the door opened,
and the old priest and little acolyte
entered. barely in time to administer
the last sacraments. Then Carlo re-
gained his c0mposure, stung into
calmness by sort of bitter resent
ment that an outsider must usurp
those last sacred moments, and that
he, hereto and alien, had no part or
lot in the ceremony, and would be ex'
pected to leave the room. But
Father Cristoforo, VINO was a son first
and a churchman afterward, read his
IT, oughts at once
Stay. my SON" he said, with so
kind and fatherly look that Carlos
bitter thoughts were banished and he
kept on still supporting his mother.
Francesca knelt TOO, on the other
side OF the couch, but she could mel.
Their pray nor feel: she watched the
scene like one in a dream. The sun,
shine streamed in through the win
dow, lighting mp the white, uncon-
scious face of the signora and the
grief.stricken face OF her son, the rich
vestments and tonsured head of the
priest, the curious, rowing eyes of the
aoolyte with his little silver-toned
bell. But Francesca was still numb
from the exceeding pain Of watching
her lovers agony. Now he was peace
full once more. his thoughts were
raised above the pain of the parting,
but her thoughts would not follow.
The monotonous voice OF Father
Christoforo, as he intoned the serv-
ice. seemed only to increase her dull
stupor. Ii was not till the canary in
the window broke out into sudden
burst OF song that her heart seemed
to awake once more, and 10 join in
the familiar words. Gloria in excel
sis Dec Ell in terra pax hominibus.
AID then, as once more the service
sCame unintelligible 10 her, she
cent her head. and prayed on with
I fasthowing tears. God! thank Thee
that she Is spared the pain--that 1t Is
/ only left for us.
When she looked up once more, all
was over. Father Cristoforo. with a
few kind words, went quietly away
from without there was a sound OF
bitter weeping; but Carlo knelt on
with bowed head and peaceful heart
and the siguora's face was stamped
with that calm majesty of death
which Francesca had never before
seen. and the canary In the window
still sung his song Of praise.