Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-07-21
Knight Grant
BY EDNA LYALL
Continued.

into him, and all through that dark
day they rang in his ears. Travelling
TO Brighton, among the hosts Of
holiday excursionists, he could not
help remembering the drive back
from Pompeii on that last Whit-Mon-
day. 1t was less than a year ago, and
get how endless the time seemed to
him! How should he ever get
through whole lifetime when eleven
months had seemed so long and
weary? But, fortunately. he had long
ago discovered that by trying to take
in the idea of life as a whole we only
give ourselves mental indigestion,
and that a day at a time is as much
as a man can healthily swallow. He
turned quite away from both past and
future, and taking out his copy OF
"Brnani,' began TO study the part of
Don Carlos with the close attention
and imaginative power which made
hi impersonations so great CON
trast to the average attainments of an
operate singer
Sardoni was rafting for him at the
Brighton station, and though the
thought of returning to the old life
had been distastefuI. yet somehow he
fell back into his old place very nat
urally, and talked cheerfuly enough
as they drove through the crowded
streets to the Merlino's lodgings.
"Merllno has engaged room for
you" explained Sardon; they are
staying close to the theater, and /
thought you wod!G rather be with
them. Marioni and / are down " the
sea-"
And Generic has gomez"
Thank Heaven, yes He came to
see us off at Victoria last night. That
London engagement came in the very
nick of time. If it hadn't been for
that l believe he would have man
aged to prevent your coming back.
These are your quarters. and looki
there is Gigi on the balcony"
On catching sight of them the little
fellow beat hasty retreat, and came
rushing headlong down the stairs.
where, with \ cry of Joy. he flung
himself into Carlos arms, and cldng
with all the strength of chllds eager
love round his neck.
Mamma is upstairs" painted Gigi-
come and see her"
Carlo still carrying the little brown
faced fellow in his arms. went up to
the sitting-room, looking anxlously to-
ward the pretty, slim figure standing
in the bay-window The brother ana
sister had been long enough apart to
see ZACH other with something of the
freshness of observation which comes
to relations after they nave been
separated for some time.
Mia thought she had never before
noticed what beautiful face he had
Carlo perceived, as he had never per
ceiyed before, the worn, unsatisfied ex
preston which was now so plainly
visible about her mouth and in her
eyes. IF | could only comfort her, y
he thought; If | could only get the
least bit nearer to her!" But more
than ever he felt that she kept him
willfully at a distance, and that her
love for Generic was an impossible
barrier, which must make her cold
and distant to the man who had taken
his place,
This was the hardest part of all
that he loved her. and yet could not
win her love; that he had lost all to
help her. and that she would not be
helped; that he tried ceaselessly to
brenk down the barrier between them.
and that she as persistently tried TO
build il up again.
There was nothing for him 10 DO
but to go on patiently, never despair.
ing; bn; II was hard work, and his
heart sank within him at the pros.
pect, even while he talked cheerfuily
10 Merlino, and dined composedly,
and answered Gigi's questions about
Merlebank. He fingered behind the
others to see the last of the little boy,
then made his way along the colon.
made TO the stage door of the theater.
The doorkeeper looked up from his
newspaper and gave him a friendly
greeting, for Merlino's company had
had a very successful week at
Brighton in November. and Carlo in.
yariably won the hearts of all the of.
cials by his pleasant manner and un.
Willingness to give any trouble.
Hope you're better sir said the
man. / have letter for you here"
He handed him an envelope;
Carlo thanked him and passed on tc
fis dressing-room, where not without
certain repugnance, he perceive ed
the crimson velvet costume, worn last
Monday by Generic laid out for him
Then he ] ool,ed again at the hand
writing of his letter, and. failing Il
recognize it. began TO wonder whether
it would prove to be an unwelcom,
'oye-ieuer or a forgotten bill. 1t wa.
late. how ver, and he dressed before
SATISFYING his curiosity; then maxim,
his way to the greenroom, opened i
and glanced at the contents.
Tho -etter was neither addresse,
nor signed. hut he had not live,
through all these months of publ,
life without receiving sundry anony
nous communications, some OF then
kindly, some of them grossly insult
ing