Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-01-06
Continued


ton, she crossed the room, threw
open the window, and stepped out
into the logia The night was deli
ciously fresh after the storm, she felt
an inexpressible sense Of freedom and
relief as she closed IL window be-
hind her. and drank in d y draughts
OF the cool. moist a. o"gh her
fathers words had e "pon her.
acre was, nevertheless. ? certain
smount of truth in them which she
Dould not but recognize. She too
had that longing to go away, TO es-
sape from the scene of all the trouble
and sorrow which had lately invaded
their home It would be Ike escap-
ing from the hot lamDlit drawing
room into this cool out-of-doors. And
then. perhaps Carlo would begin TO
be himself again. Surely, though
she had not liked the way in which
the idea was expressed the idea It,
self was a good one. They would 30
away-right away from Naples
away from the region of theaters-
away from all that could recall
Carlos loss. and she would comfort
him. Then. later on, they would in
duce Meriino 10 let Anita come TO
them; she should stay with them at
the villa Bruno. should be made per
fectly happy, should have all kinds OF
little English comforts which would
be new and delightful to her after
her wandering life. And so her trou-
bles should somehow conveniently
disappear. and she should find that
their home was her home. If her
t-ouble was connected with money,
as Francesca fancied. why then Carlo
would somehow manage 10 clear of
her debts. and she too, should start
life afresh. and they would all live
happily ever after SO she dreamed
in her girlish fashion, knowing moth
ing of the real state of the case. only
fully convinced that this dreary state
OF things could not las; fo'ever, that
somehow II would all cone right IN
the end like the books And in that
belief no doubt she was right; wrong
only In this, that coming right I'M
the end" meant to her coming right in
these threescore years and ten.
To he married, perhaps, next week
How calmly her father had suggested
the idea. and how her heart throbbed
as she recalled his words She
would lay aside her mourning for that
one day. would be dressed. spite of
the sadness which had heralded in
her marriage, "as a bride adorned for
her husband" and Herewith she be.
gan. after The manner of girls. to
picture the dress to herself; 1t should
be long and white and shining: and
as for orange.blossom. why there was
no lack OF that In the garden, always
supposing this heavy rain had not
dashed 1t. Thinking of the orange
blossom. she turned from those In.
ward Visions, and looked down into
the dusky mass OF trees and shrubs
below starting little at sight OF some
one approaching. but quickly recog-
MIXING her lover.
Carlo! why, Carlo! Is it really
your she exclaimed. an ecstasy of
happiness in her voice, for she had
not In the least expected him
"oh. had quite given you up dar-
llng," she cried And are you
really well again--duite well?"
terrible pang rent his heart. but !
he trembled no more; ell the man In
him rose up to meet this sore trial
Quite well, carina; only wet
through, and not at to touch You.
he said; and by an impulse which he
could hardly have explained he
checked the hands which were steal
ing round his neck. drew them down,
and held them fast In his while he
bent forward and kissed her,
A shade passed over her face. Why
did he stop to think about his wet
clothes? What lover ever deigned TO
bestow a thought on such prudent
considerations?
He read her thoughts In a glance.
and herewith $. y vision of the fnt.
ure-the shadow deepening on that
face the eyes dim with tears. the
brow contracted with pain TO hide
his agony from her he let his head
droop forward, resting his burning
forehead on her shoulder.
4 have been SO dreadfully anxious.
Carlino," she said. And oh, it is SO
beautiful TO have you back again"
He did not speak. only his cold
hands held hers more tightly: his
face was hidden on her breast. But
though he could hide from her the
sight Of his anguish, he could not de.
ccive her; she knew intuitlyely that It
was no physical pain which made a
man like Carlo bow his head like one
overwhelmed II must surely be that
1t must have been terribly dreary
coming back from Naples that stormy
evening coming home for the first
tin 90 he empty house.
Ny own dear one, she said. all
She deep tenderness in her heart steal
ing into her voice. you'll not shut
me out from your sorrow? What is
yo4rs is mine. Carl'no WIS so
happy when saw you. ! forgot what
a sad homecoming 1t must be But.
darling, il wasn't that I forge, hey
for J too. loved her"
s3s 2