Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-12-09
Continued.

there rang in his head one unan-
swerable auestion-how TO save Mia;
and with that Francesca's words,
mo one but you" In the evening,
when all was over, and the sad com
ing and going had given place to
terrible, oppressive quiet, his GRIEF
and perplexity made him turn TO En-
co Ritter, with the feeling that IN
ms he unburdened his mind to some
se he should lose his senses. IL
as true that Francesca partly di-
tined his trouble, but he could not
discuss his difficulties with her, could
not bear TO unfold to her so dark a
page. Sardoni his informant, was
total stranger; Captain Britton was
the last man to whom he could turn;
while Uncle Guido, with his uncertain
temper. and his wrath at the stain
which Anita had already brought upon
the family name was little likely to
give helpful counsel in this matter
Enrico, purely TO please himself
had fastened over to villa Bruno
and now inevitably Carlo turned to
him. and exacting promise OF
secrecy, told him everything that had
happened since their last meeting.
He had chosen his confident we'll
Fnrico could be trusted to keep per
feet silence, moreover his sound
comm0n-sense, his cool. calm. practi-
cal way Of looking at things, was pre-
cisely what Carlo needed. His own
brain was so overweight, so confused
with the sudden calamity which had
befal1on him that he was not In the
least capable Of seeing any matter in
its true light And then, too the
mere relief Of sharing his perplexities
with another was an inexpressible
comfort Not that Enrico had many
suggestions to offer he listened for
tho most part in silence. But then
there are times in life when the 81
lence OF a friend is the one thing fer
which we crave; and Ca;io turned to
tho unspoken sympathy OF the man
who really cared for him when
wearied with the condolences Of out
siders Guido DonaI had spoken Of
returning the next day to discuss the
future. but the really perplexing fut
ure was discussed with the German
pessimlst.
There is only one thing ! would ad-
wise you, and that Is. have no per
sonal communication with Generic,
said Enrico at length. 81 have seen
him. and into the bargain know a.
good deal about him. and he's the
veriest devil you can conceive. Pay
him back the money, bu do so
through some third person.
I'm sure have no wish 10 see
him. said Carlo signing If only
could think of some way OF getting
rid OF him"
That there would be any difficulty
In raising the money had not as yet
occurred 10 Carlo He had been ex-
iremelv careless about money matters
all his life; and though leading too
secluded life TO % precisely extrav
agant, he had allowed things to DRIFT.
we'll content SO long as he received
his small annual allowance from his
mother and never troubling his head
about the amount OF their actual in
come, lie knew that he was TO be-
his uncles heir, and TO receive a very
comfortable allowance from him on
his marriage, therefore he left all de
tails TO his mother. took what came to|
him. and lived on In serene comfort,
Compelled now to face the situation,
he was startled to find how entirely
dependent he was upon his uncle. the
income upon which they had lived
had been derived from an annuity,
and of course ceased at Ills mothers
death. the Villa Bruno was only
rented by the year. and though its
furniture belonged to i'm, It was
worth but little. His only other pos.
session was his horse, and he could
not we'll part with that to raise the
necessary money. for not only would
II at once have provoked a question
from his uncle. but It was indispensa.
Bile TO him SO long as he lived In that
remote country place. In the cid len
rico becoming aware of his embar-
rassment. said that he should ask his
father to advances him the money;
and as the need of loan was quite
comprehensive TO Herr Ritter at such
q time, he very willingly acceded 20
the request and Enrico himself was
charged with the disaEreeable erTand
Of conveying the money 10 Concerto,
This was one step in the desired Ill.
rection. and one caro- Off Carlos mind,
but his perpiexity about Anita only iu-
creased. 'o~ as each day he learned 10
know her better he was forced to
own 20 himself how utterly unfit she
was for the dimcult lie before her
Her beauty her weakness. her moral
cowardice, her miserable marriage. ALT
were against her She seemed In.
capable OF really loving, capable only
Of sort of desire % Doe c,tressed and
shieldad Carlo gained a certain
amount Of influence with her just be
cause she trusted like q child 10 his
strength and was quite certain that
so would 90 what he could for her
but she left everything 80 him. and. IN
these bitter days OF hts grief aud per
pleXlty lived ON in a placid, ne .m
state which was almost happiness
Al length an Interruption came 10