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


held her closely.
Ny dear one" he said, speaking
rapidly and with great earnestness-
my own true love, you gave me
fresh courage last night by your
words. Carina, there are other wars
than those between nations; there is
the great war in which you and |
have vowed our service; y,a would
not wish me. know, TO prove a COW
ard in that-to be a deserter. |
must tell you, in plain words. the ac-
tual case, even though it is hard to
do it--eyen though would give the
world to heep all knowledge of such
evil from you. francesca do you
know what killed my mother? | will
tell you. 1t was the knowledge that
Anita was living in hourly peril of
proving unfaithful to her husband,
He-that one who would ruin her
that one who dares TO call his foul
passion by the name of love, is actu-
ally a member of Merlinos company
Merlino himself suspects nothing; If
he did he would half kill Anita. l
have thought of every possible plan
for getting rid of this villain without
betraying my sister, but, darling,
there is only one way that will an
swer and 1t is this; to get rid of snis
man-this BARITONE must take his
place myself"
You must Offer" said Francesca,
family; but perhaps Signor Merlino
Will not accept you"
The rost has already been offered
TO me by Merlino and on Wednesday,
Francesca mia, must let him know
whether accept his offer or not"
"Ah,"
She locked her hands together con-
vulsively but only that one sob of in
tense, intolerable pain escaped her.
There was silence-a silence so deep
that the distant sounds of the work
men busy over the excavations
seemed quite near. A little lizard
darted across the pavement close to
their feet. and plunged into the
maidenhair that fringed the altar.
Francesca opened her eyes.
my love! my love!" she cried,
don't look like tha6! See, Carlo
milo, I am going to keep M word.
will say like the v ives in the old
days, Go and help, and I'll not cry;
promise you I'll not cry. And yet
-yet-oh! how can help it when
you set me so bad an example?*
With a stifled sob she broke off and
hid her face o1 his breast. The
sight of her suffering had unnerved
him but quickly he regained that
strange self-mastery which was all
the more remarkable because it was
combined with an ardent, emotional.
highly-strung temperament.
you are helping me to keep my
word" he said. drawing her yet closer
to him. las a child I promised my
father on his death-bed that / would
shield Nita, and my mothers last en-
treaty you heard
DO help your she said, eagerly;
do really help! Then l am no
longer unhappy 1t was the thought
of your going quite away where
could do nothing-nothing for you
it was that broke my heart. If, even
away, | can help you--if even in this
we can work together-then l can
bear It,"
Your father" he said hesitatingly;
: must tell him at once-and, carina,
he will not see things i'll the tight you
see them
He will not approve of your going
on the STAGE said Francesca. He
will be vexed and annoyed but he
cannot help seeing that it is the only
thing to be done"
Carlo made faint gesture of dis
sent The last sentence was so like
Francesca, so unlike the captain.
He will most naturally wish that
had never spoken to you. Indeed, /
myself could almost wish it, darling,
for what have brought you but trou-
Bile and grief and the shadow of dis
grace?"
You have brought me yourself,
Carlino," she said, with a sweet mirth
fulness in look and tone; you don't
seem to think much of the gift, it is
true"
And yet if had kept silence al
week longer all would have been diff
ferent l should have gone off with
Merlino's company, and there would
have been no discussion anC remon-
STRANGE, should not have Texed
your father-should not have felt that
l had spoiled your life You would
have been free. and the pain would
have been mine alone"
Why. you vain boy!' she ex-
claimed, half laughing. half crying,
do you think it was that tale you
told me in the Belvedere that made
RE love you? You know quiz we'll l
have loved you for years and yeare!
And then you talk of going away IN
silence and leaving me free and
happy Carlino. I'm ashamed of
yout"
Like Two children, they forgot for
little while the dark future. and
basked in the sunny present. Parting
was a thought hardly to be conceived
while they sat together in the old
Temple of Venus, and made love to
each other after the fashion Of low