Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-01-13
The suns away,
And the bird estranged;
The wind has dropped.
And the sky deranged;
Summer has stopped.


sun Monday: at dinner she talked G
little more than usual to cover Carlo S
silence, but it was hasd work. ard
she gave a sigh Of relief when az
ltngth the ordeal was over. and she
was free 10 20 away alone. Carlo
stood up to open the door for Ter
and as She passed him she look d up
into his eyes and smiled; but once
within The friendly shelter Of the
draWing-room her own flied Zith
tears. She would have given much to
iun up to her room and have a good
cry: that was out of the question,
however, for she could not plead a
headache when by so doing she should
lose Carlos goodnight The sound OF
the dining room door opening made
ner neat hasty retreat from the
lamplight: she stood in the shade,
and made as though she were looking
out of the window, while she hurriedlB
dried her eyes. for not for the world
would she have been caught crying
Mr. Britton, coming into the room
deserted the slim figure In its black
dress and came toward her
My sweet Fran he said eff you
viii not think me the LATEST old un
Gle in the world, am going TO bid
you goodnight Here is budget OF
letters which shall get through bet
ter in my own room"
Must you really see to them now?'
she said. why, it is not half holi
day If business follows you here.
Some thing in her voice made him
look at her more attentiVely He saw
that she was in trouble. recollected
that Carlo had scarcely spoken to her
through dinner, and very naturally
leaped to the conclusion that there
had been quarrel between the Low,
ers.
Il have a long letter from Kate
which perhaps you'll like to see" he
said She and Glare seem getting on
grandly at the North Cape They
know nothing of your betrothal. May
tell them the news when answer
this?"
Il think ! win tell them myself,
she said her color dee pening little
4 viii put in a line tomorrow, If
may"
The tears welled up into her eyes
again; she turned hastily and dr. "
his attention to the distant view OF
Yesuvius, with crimson flame leapine
up and summer lightning Frightening
the sky in the background. But Mr.
Britton was too fond of her to be nut
aside, he began to feel really anxious
about her future.
Dear little niece ne said, gently
You must forgive an old uncles anx
iety, but are you quite happy in your
betrothai? Are you quite sure that
you have chosen the happiest life?"
L am sure that have chosen the
only man IN the world whom I could
love, she said recovering herself
and looking up into her uncle's face
with such sweet, bright, lovellt smi' e
that he could only inwardly protest
that no man living was worthy OF
her
Yet something Is troubling you to-
night" he said, imeasily.
Yes, she said her lips duivering
there Is something troubling Carlo:
he is going to talk it over with father.
and-and am not quite sure how
father will take IT,"
Mr. Brittpn looked grave.
Dear child of one thing Won may
at least be sure, he said, gently:
your father cares for nothing but
Fonr happiness.
The words fitted in only too ven
with her own forebodings
ooh. why will people think of moth.
ing but that?' she exclaimed What
Is happiness to me when Carlo is in
the question? Uncle"-she looked up
at him appoalIngly-"p promise me
that whatever happens you will never
think him TO blame: there are things
no outsider can understand. Promise
me that you viii always be his
friend"
Well he must be a cold-hearted
person who could refuse such n nett
ton from such lips" he said. stoop-
ing to kiss her Don't be unhappy.
dear little Fran; there"> yer yet was
a betrothal which was all sunshine
Wait little. and your clouds win
disperse Nine o'clock, | must be
of to nv desk"
i WIN send up your coffee, then
Goodnight said Francesca. fe ling
4 little comtorted at having enlisted
sneh helper as Uncle George on
Carlo S side,
She sat down near the lamp. and
her cousins letter. trying
hard to feel some interest in the nc
count OF the voyage and the mid
night sun, and the adventures which
always seemed to occur to any on,
"ho travelled with Glare. But it
would not do, the words conveyednoth.
ing 70 her mind, she could only listen
for The sound of approaching steps;
for 'hc long delay made her feel GER
tain that Carlo was at that moment
telling her father Of his decision.
AZ length after What seemed to her
a very lvnl time she h ard the dining
room door sharply opened and closed.
h'n quick steps crossing the yestj
aH'e she listened breathlessly. and