Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-08-18
Continued.

I'VE thought of going there now
since the theater win be closed after
this panic. and our engagement at the
San Carlo viii soon be beginning. My
brother-in-iaw is going TO take a fort
night at the baths at Lucca, for he
has no. been we'll lately. | shall go
home % Naples with Mia and her lit
lie boy"
Then come With us in the Pilgrim, -
said the captail My brother begged
that you would do 50, and Sibyl will
be enchanted to have the little boy as
a playmate"
After Mia had been consulted, and
the matter had been little more dis
cussed. the invitation was accepted
and by the evening general disper
sion aad taken place. Merlino had
gone of to his course of baths; Sar
doni and Domenica had started joy
fully on what they called their second
wedding-tour to the Italian lakes;
Carlo, Nita. and Gigi were welcomed
ON board the Pilgrim; and in advance
of all. Comerio with hatred In his
heart, was making the best of his way
TO Corsica.
Although, as Carlo had observed
when he first set foot on the yacht
years ago, the Pilgrim was not at all
place for talking secrets, yet the
lovers were somehow well content,
and enjoyed to the full those happy
days of reunion The rest Of the
party had kind way of playing whist
in the saloon when it grew dark;
and as to the man at the wheel, they
were quite untroubled by his pres
ence, nor disturbed themselves at all
about the watch, Sho discreetly kept
TO the forecastle. and no doubt
found plenty 70 say among them.
selves as to the betrothal which was
now an acknowledged fact.
1T is too good to seem true" said
Carlo one evening, as they sat to-
ge.her under the square-sall which
was spread to catch the light summer
wind. On one side they could see the |
dark italian coast, on the other the
beautiful outline of the mountains In |
Eiba, while the moon made an ever
shifting track Of ignt on the sea as
they glided gently on. and the red
light from the port side cast a rudy
glow on the white sail towering above
them. How little thought he
added, 'of having such a home econ
dngl'
Yes" said Francesca; "and tina, It !.
should have been In the dear old Pill. |
GRIM How strange that is! used
to be so miserable here three years
ago, and now it does seem as you say.
almost too good TO be true"
And the same happy faculty for liy-
Ing in the present, which had stood |
Carlo in good stead through his years
OF trouble, helped now to make his
happiness perfect No lurking fear |
OF ComeriO spoiled those cIoudless /
days. no anxieties as to Nitas future,
on troubles as to money matters.
Marriage seemed still a far-away pros
peot but they were betro he'd. and
there could never again be between
them that wearing separation. that
maddening dependence on outsiders
Tor the least news of each other.
4 had heard nothing of you for two
said Francesca, as again, to
make their present brighter by con
trast, aAey talked over the troubles OF
the pas: but that was better than
having false news. You have had the
hardes'. part. darling. and yet you'll
never know how bitter 1t was to me In
one ay."
"W nat way" he asked tenderly.
Il couldn't tell you at Merlebank.
but t was knowing that you were so
poor, and having money myself, and
not being able to help you. All. |
you'll never know how hard it was TO {,
he able to give to any one In the !
world except to the one you loved |
best. There is a little matter-of-ract
bit In Aurora Leigh which l used to
say for comfort"
what was that? Say II to me
now"
(" Let us be content in work,
To do the thing we can. and not pre-
sumo
To fret because it's little"
81 did fret, though. for. after all.
we are most of us like Alice in Won
rderland very fond of giving our
isei1es good advice. but seldom taking
dtr"
They laughed little, and now it
was the trouble that seemed like n
iliream, and the happiness that had be-
come true. and real. and iIfdisputable.
And together they paced the quiet
deck. while below Nttas sweet, clear
voice sang the familiar air of oh.
dolce Napoi.' which Francesca loved
because of its happy associations.
N.See Naples and die said Carlo
smiling. 81 oftea thought, over in
America. that would gladly have
done so; but now think not, carina.
much as l love it, Let us hope people
In real life don't d.. OF 10Y"