Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-08-11

had anything 10 & Will Ihot AoioO
San Carlo, too. He must have in
duced her to write the account and
send the papers. and himself have
inserted that thing. don't Ike
Elise De Caisen, but she would never
have lent herself To a fraud like
that"
How horribly the people cry out
near the doors!" exclaimed Frances
ca, able now for the first time to
realize a little what was going on
around her. "oh. Carlo! how fright
ened I should be If you were not
here with mel"
The panic had evidently not been
without some cause, for clouds Of
smoke came from the back of the
sage, and strong smell OF burning
filled the place. It was quite appar-
ent that whatever fire there was must
be BEND the scenes, but Carlo with
good reason, feSred for Francesca
the dangers Of tre crowd far more
than the danger of the flames,
They were now almost alone in
the stalls, and the space between
them and the stage vas perfectly
clear, for every one had fed from
the source of danger and rushed to
the doors, where horrible struggle
was going on.
Is Captain Brittoa ~ Genoa?"
asked Carlo.
Yes. we are all here in the PHI
grim-Uncle George. and Kate, and
Glare On, how frightened they will
be- If they hear of this panic before
we get Quit"
Where had they arranged to meet
your"
Uncle George and father were to
call for me at the hotel where Rem
alto and Flora are staying. 1t was
such chance that came at all,
for you know how little father likes
theater-going. But they came tn the
yacht this morning, and begged to
have me for the day, and said they
had taken places for Carmen and
father never likes TO say No. and
so | came, not knowing till we
landed that Flora had planned 1t all
on purpose that | should hear you
sing"
THEY will be terribly anxious
about you. DO you think you could
be brave enough to walk into this
smoke, which is driving every one
else away! believe we should have
a very fair chance of escaping
through the orchestra"
Yes, yes-let as comet" she cried.
FL am not afraid of anything with
you"
He wrapped her shawl around her,
cleared the way for her toward the
orchestra. lifted her over the barrier,
and quickly following himself, adj
vanced cautiously through the smoke.
filed passages. Before long he Stun
bled up against Sa don't
You here, jack" he exclaimed
Can we get out? How did it hap.
penn"
You can get out all right" said
Sardoni THE fire is almost got unA
der; they are working away spien-
didly with fire engines. | was Just
coming to look for you. How 1t
started no one knows. unless it was
from one of the matches flung down
when they were smoking in the camp
scene-and yet | don't see how that
can have been. You'll get none of
the fun here; come and look at it. ;"
Not now: Miss Brittons people
viii be anxious; we must get out
as quickly as may be- There isno,
crowd at the st,tge door. SUPPOSE"
"A fre-engiae IN two blocking tine
way. perhaps-nothn worse. But
what In Heavens name has hap.
pened, valF''
He glanced for an instant at the
sweet girlish face. which. not long
before, he had wa ehed with iudig
nant wonder
''Comerios vengeancei" said Carlo,
n low voice; then. turning back
he said, Francesca. this is my friend
Sardoni. of whom you have often
heard"
francesca shook hands with rim
warmly.
"Aand how about Madame MerIino@
she asked. Is she quite safe?'
Il took her back to the hotel with
my wife" said Sardonl; and be-
lieve on the way back \ passed
Count Carossa."
He was obliged to try and get his
wife out quickly" explained FTan
cesca "oh. hope Flora wasaa hart
in the crowd! Do let uss get back %
! them!"
( Come with us, Jack, IL yea don't
mind" said Carlo: and together the,
made their way through the crowded
streets to the hotei. which was no,
| far of.
| In the entrance-haRt they found 4
number of people clustered round the
poor little countess, who was lyins
on the floor quite unconscious. while
the count, who had his arm broken il
the crush round the door of the thea
ter. received no sympathy at all iron
Captain Britton. who had fust com,
ashore from the yacht. and was be
side himself with anger and anxiety
She would not Gomez" h,
1 stormpd 'snf course NOT An U.,o