Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-07-28
CHAPTER XXI.
After Two Years.

That is the riches OF the poor
Their liberty is to endure;
Wrap thou thy old cloak thee about,
And carol loud, and carol stout!
Why should's thou only wear no
clout?
Thou only walk in love-Tobes pure?
Thy step alone be firm and sure?
Thou only free of fortunes aout?-
Nay, nay! but learn to go without,
And so be humbly, richly poor
"A Threefold Cord
The bright spring sunshine was
streaming into a sittingroom in the
Lafayette, at Philadelphia, and Nita's
sweet, clear soprano woke the echoes
with that most charming of songs.
caro- Nome" Carlo, who from the
first had constituted himself her ac-
companist at her daily practice, was
seated at the piano, and something in
the faces of both brother and sister
showed plainly that time had passed.
Two years had gone by since Carlo
had rejoined the company at Brighton,
and spite OF excessively hard work
spite of the weary day and night jour
neys, With too often an exhaustiug
performance at the end of them-.iis
healthy, vigorous nature had asserted
itself, and all signs of delicacy of
chest had disappeared, while further
cultivation, and increasing physical
strength, had rendered his voice more
than ever notable. The daily round
of work had been monotonous enough,
and yet the second and third years of
his professional life had certainly
seemed far shorter to him than the
first had done.
But then nothing nies so fast as
fully occupied time especially when no
very important events come to inter
rupt the routine. And nothing had
happened worthy OF note in these two
years. Comerio's vengeance had not
as yet taken effect-he had not fol.
lowed them to Ameriea--and scarcely
any changes had been made In the
company. Mademoisei'e de Caisne
had. indeed, gone back to Italy, find
ing II impossible to make the slightest
impression on the new baritone; her
place had been filled by a very young
American girl. 1t seemed ? 'obable,
too that Sardoni and Domenica, Bo-
relli would not remain very much
longer in the troupe They had now
been betrothed for several months,
and were to be married in New York
before Merlino's company sailed for
italy. which they expected to do to-
ward the end of May. Carlo hardly
knew how to face the thought of life
without his two best friends, but their
contracts with Merlino both expired
in the folio " ing autumn, and he could
not but admit that Stcir married life
would probably be much happier IL
they carried out Sardoni's idea, and
settled down in London, where they
might both hope 10 gain fair liveli-
hood by teaching, eked out by occa-
sional engagements But though lit
tie had happened, the general tone of
the company had certainly been
raised; the impresario had become a
trifle less rough and overbearing;
Nta, though she was still as far as
ever from being a happy wife, seemed
to rebel less bitterly against her lot;
while Carlos character had grown
and developed as mans character
does develop when he is trying inces-
sanity to live the highest life.
AS he played the accompaniment Of
Caro- Nome" his thought involuntar-
lily turned to francesca, and he began
10 wonder whether Sardoni would
soon come back from his walk. and
whether he would have remembered
to call at the post-ofiice for letters. 1t
was possible that he might today
hear from Enrico, and he was terribly
hungry for news, for Glare, with the
best of intentions, was too busy 10
write very often. and when she did
write could only give him second.
hand reports, while Enrico was as far
as ever from understanding the sort
OF details foi which a lover Graves.
He looked up eagerly as the door
opened, and Sardoni entered.
Did you remember the letters?" he
asked. glad that the song should have
ended at such an opportune moment.
For a wonder, yes" replied Sar-
DOM, who since his engagement to
Domenica had been ludicrously alb.
sentminded. But there were none
for you, Val, only one for Madame
Merlino"
Carlo was sadly disappointed, but
yet was SO well used to dsappoir'
ment that by the time he had played
through a few bars of Caro- Nome
his face had resumed its usual ex-
preston.
Sardoui left the room again. and
Nita, throwing herself back in a rock.
ing-ehair, began TO read the letter AS
she read. an uncomfortable exclama.
ton of surprise escaped her. Carlo,
who was turning over the pages OF
"Rigolet:o," and still whistling the air
of Caro- Nome" looked up quickly,
rs anything the matter?" he asked !:
and as he spoke he noticed for the
first time the big letters of the Ma
poll post-mark.
She read on without answering. but
something in her face reused a name
less fear in his heart; did the letter
ha