Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-11-25

words, but because he was obliged to-
pause and admire.
Il see you are the brother whom
Madame MerIiHo needs, he said.
quietly; land it is in order that those
two names may not with just cause
be coupled together all the world
over that l speak to you plainly"
The glow of color had faded from
Carlos face, and had left him unusu
ally pale. He turned away with a
groan as sardoni ended. Vaguely as
he had dreaded his sisters arrival. he
had never dreamed that it would be
so bad as this.
Her husband?' ne said at length.
"Merlino Is a brute. but many de-
z. ees better than Generic. 'Tis
sort Of lion and unicorn business,
with your sister for crown. But you
spoke as though you knew Comerio?.
Il only know what report has to
say of him." replied Carlo. He was
singing here five years ago; his wife
and children, ] believe. still hive
here"
Report says nothing of him that Is
not strictly true"
But how is it. then. that Merlino il
so blind 10 his own intere SITS as 90
keep him in his troupe?"
Il cant say, unless it is that tyr
ants always believe in their own SUI
perfectly And then, too Generic is
such a willy devil, he always man
ages TO keep in Merlinos good books.
| There has never been the least APP
parent reason for getting rid Of him;
and, besides, Merlino is not so over
burdened with wealth that he can af'
ford 10 cancel an engagement. Ital-
ian opera is not such paying con
Germ as people think"
| j. must try 10 see my sister" said
Carlo, with a sigh, or write to her.
Then if YOU see her allow me to
suggest that you do not call on her
here. where ten TO one you win fall
foul of her husband; and if you write,
| do so now and intrust the letter to
me, for Merlino watches her CORE
spondence with lynx eyes, and does
not scruple to open every letter"
| Carlo uttered an impatient excla.
nation of disgust Every sentence
which the Eiglishman let fall seemed
to reveal 10 him a fresh glimpse of
/ the intoerable life which poor Nita
was leading He accepted the pen
and ink which his companion offered
him. however. and. drawing a chair TO
the table. began with deepening
color to write.
Sardoni glanced at him from time
to time; he had taken up news
paper. and made as though he we're
reading #. but in reality his mind
was full OF his Italian visitor. Car
/ los face was almost as easy to read
as a book, and Sardoni could not help
feeling sorry for him. He had Just
Witnessed one Of the most painful
= sights imaginable, that OF a perfectly
unsulied nature being brought for the
/ first time into near connection with a
net work OF evil There was some
! iHtHE lbh, HI lHt iHlpAiNlt u HhL NhACA
Dmati had reposed in him which APP
peaIed to him strongly. What a
wretched position to be in! Power
less to help his own sister without
trusting to le help. and believing in
tho honesty of a stranger and a for
eiguerl Carlo in the meantime had
! finished his letter, and. folding it up
handed it unsealed to Sardoni
The Englisaman put it in his
pocket book remarking as he did so,
For perfect stranger You trust me
with good deal. Signor Donatl"
Carlo looked troubled as it flashed
across him bow unsuspiciously he had
believed the strangers words II had
never occurred to him that Sardoni
could possibly have any reason for
misleading him He looked at him
searchingly
But then you are an Englishman,
he said, in a tone of relief
Sardoni laughed That is a com
pliment TO my nation which / shall
not readily forget But look here
an expression of great bitterness
stole over his face-"there are many
of my own countrymen who would
snap their fingers at my word of
honor.