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

be the bride, father? May I be the
order
No said the father. laughing.
that character is bespoken. You
viii have 10 be my little housekeeper,
Francesca is to be bride. There. you
must drink her health. Long life
and happa~eSs 10 the future Signora
Donati.''
Si5yl obedientiy repeated the words.
but made a wry face over the claret.
What horrid stun, daddy. Do give
me bit of your orange, quick. .
Then with her mouth very full, But
Fran can't be Signora Donati.''
"Oh. yes, she can when she marries
Carlo" said the captain.
"Marries carlo?' echoed Sibyl, in
establishment Dear me, win Carlo
be married? What a bother / sup
pose he'll never play games and be
jolly any more?"
why not? said Francesca. laugh
ing.
"Oh. he won't, said Sibyl, looking
wise and elderly. Il know he won't.
asked nurse the other day what it
meant to be married and she said it
was when people grew steady and
settled down"
The two elders laughed heartily.
But he will be your brother, you
know Sibyl and brothers always
play" said Francesca.
Carlo my brother?'
Your 5rother-in-law.'
"Oh yes, I know about that-that's
what he had put On his cards, r"
Sibyl, triumphantly; SO he must -
known he was going to be my brother
before he came here; Dino said that
long word was in-law."
Then. before Captain Britton had
done laughing Sibyl convulsed her
companions by solemnly raising the
glass to her lips again, and repeating
/ in the grayest way imaginable. Long
life and many games to my future
brotber-in-law."
Francesca was eager to go in
quickly 10 see Signora Donati, but
she had to wait till sibyi was tucked
up in bed and her father had finished
his afterdinner nap. Then she threw
white woolly shawl about her head
and shoulders, slipped her arm into
the captains and crossed over to the
Villa bruno. The signora was alone;
she came forward to meet them with
the prettiest little greeting imagin-
able Francesca loved her dearly,
and returned her embraces with all
possible warmth; but above the soft
and tender assurances of the signora's
delight in the news which Carlo had
brought her, she was conscious of
her lovers voice singing out in the
garden. The joyous ring about the
old Neapolitan song the unmistakable
rapture of the singer, filed her heart
with happiness. The sweet, familiar
air always brought back to her mem
DRY that first perfect evening at the
villa Bruno.
He has done nothing but sing since
he came back from you" said the sig
nora as the singer drew nearer, ev.
cry word distinctly heard in thai clear
atmosphere
20 dolce Napoli,
O suui beato
Dove sorridere
Wolfe : create
Tu SCI limpero
Deli ammonia,
Santa Lucial Santa Lucia!"
The last note still echoed in the
air as Carlo stepped into the dimly
lighted room through the open win
dow, bearing in his hand a bunch of
red roses and myrtle-blossom. 1t was
he picture he had so often imagined
which mel his gaze. for Francesca
stood beside his mother, the lamp
light shedding a soft glow over her
sweet, fair face. She was dressed in
some kind of soft white dress which
made him think of a baby's robe, he''
wavy brown hair was little ruffled
by the white shawl witch she had
thrown aside; in her sweet. pure hap
piness she was exquisite.
Il did not know you had come. he
exclaimed, fastening toward hcl;
how was 1t never heard your"
we came without ceremony;
there was no ringing of BELLS said
Francesca.
And Carlo was singing at the top
of his voice said the mother. laugh
ing. Il foresee, Francesca. that he
will now be like my canary. who IS
so happy that he sings all day long,