Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-17
Continued

appointed, she seemed to him cold and
reserved aad exclusive; he supposed
that the very qualities which repealed
him seemed to Sardonrs English eyes
recommendations. Marioni. the con
ductor, received him with mingled
GOODNESS and anxiety; and had it not
been for Sardonis friendship he woulo
have been In a most uncomfortable
position. But all this improved afte.'
the first rehearsal; the conductor
speedily thawed, and he began to I'M
derstand better the stiff armOr Of pro
priety In which Domenica BOrelli in
cased herself, and the alarming
American frankness Of Mademoiselle
Duroc.
And so at last the great day came.
Carlo awoke to the consciousness, but
was surprised to find how Indifferent
he felt about It; perhaps he had been
through too much OF late TO suffer
very greatly from apprehension, or
perhaps he had not yet req lized hGw
great the ordeal would be In the
most matter-of-fact way he inspected
his hat, hose, and shoes, the only part
Of his costume which he had TO pro
vide for himself. then, having ar
ranged that they should BE- sent to
the theater, he found himself with
the rest of the day on his hands, fer
Piale had given strict orders that he
was only to sing for half an hour
Just before he dlned Suddenly he
bethought him OF his old friend
Floresanto. and he felt a desire that
the old fisherman should witness his
first appearance: so, taking the de-
lighted Gigi with him he went down
10 the Piliero hired boat and was
rowed to the old fisherman's hut.
F1oresanto. who had all an Italians
love Of the theater. was delighted and
fiattered at the proposal. and they
rowed back with him to Naples.
where Carlo took him to the MERGE
dante that he might choose his own
seat: then with many good wishes
the old boatman went of to his So
cialistic club, and Carlo. having taken
Glgi home, returned once more to the
Meroedante. begged the keys from the
door.keeper. who was Just about to
take his siesta and, locking himself
into the empty theater, began to pace
the stage. going through. in dumb
show. all that he would have to do In
the evening Still he felt strangely
Indifferent. and he began TO think
that his nature must be a very pro.
sale one, not realizing that strong
feeling often takes the form Of numb
ness for a time.
Sardoni watched him ON his return
with the greatest curiosity, he prac.
ticed his scales for half an hour,
dined oomposediy. read the Piccolo,
played "Tombola" with GigI, and did
his best TO avert a quarrel which was
brewing between Gomez and Merllno.
Finally he went OF to the theater
with Piale and Enrlco Ritter. and
seemed to be- so much occupied with
cheering the old maestro. who was in
a pitiable state of nervous less. that
he had little time 10 think OF himself
"Giusto Cielo'" exclaimed tho old
man. y would give all have were
this nights work wen over"
And MS they went down stairs Sar.
doni heard Carlos rare but delight
ful laugh as he rallied the maestro
on his depression Apparently Piale
had been advised that 1t would be
better not to he behind the scenes, for
when Sardoni reached the theatcr he
found Carlo alone III the dressing
room which they we're to share.
Il thought should have found
your maestro coaching you up to the
last minute" he exclaimed ut Is
well he has gone. or his nervousness
wonld have infected you AT present
YOU look AS cool as a cucumber"
Only metaphorically," said Carlo.
throwing down the book he had been
studying; this room il like an oven. +"
Youll find that Is always the
way" said Sardoui, they bake us In
summer and freeze us in winter. and
whenever they can manage it, poison
US with bad drainage
THE dresser began to urge him to
be qui>E, for AS usual Sardoui Was be
hindhand and had allowed barely
time 10 scramble into his complicated
double costume before the call boy
came 20 summon him Carlo who did
not appear till the second act, seeing
how mAftarg ,ynr.a and pitv{n,- tho