Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-08
reliable man in her

ping and trembling, she threw nerSeit /
on her knees, crushed beneath that
awful realization of decisive choice
which must be made, maddened by
the consciousness that time was pass
ing, tossed to and fro in the storm o.
deadly temptation 1t was not the
breaking OF a conventional law which
she was contemplating it was not a
mere offense against society with
which she had been dallying all these
years il was sin. And the full mean
ing of that word broken on her as she
kneIt there. Sin was not vague
something to be comfortably con-
fessed and disposed of; it was con.
tfadictlon of good. which must work
its deadly course. Inevitably bringing
grief and pain end hardship on the in
nocent and loving. To save her from
this sin. Carlo had sacrificed his
whole life; could she let that sacrifice
be in vain?
And. after all, was It love which
Generic offered her? Could she name
it In the same breath with the love
which had shielded and guarded her
through those three years? No; it
was hateful, vile counterfeit of love,
"a ghastly parody Of the truth, a yelled
~iisa:Saness, which could only drag her
down 10 he'll on earth. Carlo would
die thousand deaths rather than
let her sink to this' And was it even
now too late to save him?
In wild excitement she sprung to
her feet Comerio, in the heat of the
moment. had let something fall about
the S'ozzuoli road? Why should she
not rush to Casa Bella and prevent
her brothers return, and save him
from the attack that had been plan
ned? What gave her strength fer
this desperate resolution she hardly
knew, but the thought Itself seeemd to
lend her wings. She rushed to her
bedroom. sflatched up a cloak and
bonnet, drew a veil over her face, and,
without even pausing to close the
door of the Louise behind her. crept
down the long stone staircase. The
concierge WIS reading La Campana as
she glided past his little Office; he
was so much absorbed that he never
even saw her.
And now she was actually in the
street. ard, 10 the first time since her
resolution had been made a feeling of
fear and perplexity overwhelmed her,
her brain seemed to reel Holy Vir
gin protect me-" she sobhed, and
walked on blindly. too much terrified
to form any clear plan of action. All
at once she caught sight of olsen
gagged carriage, and signed to- the
driver to stop. He looked at her sus-
piciously, but she was far too miser-
able to resent that.
Drive to Pozzuoi she said; "to
Casa Bella
The man, however, grumbled. It'll
was late long drive, his horse was
tired Nita thrust two gold coins into
his hand.
Go! go!" she cried Another, itI
you will drive fast"
Then she leaned back in the car.
riaga aud covered her face with her
hands. trembling in every limb, ex-
pectng each minute that Comerio
would find out all and pursue her.
The drive seemed endless, but at last
Casa Bella was reached; she sprung
out and asked eagerly for Signor Do.
natl
"He is not here. signora," said old
Dino, looking at her curiously. HE
has not been here at all"
Nita gave cry that brought all
the household flocking into the hall.
They took her into the Rose-room, and
there gradually drew from her the
whole piteous story. francesca, as
she listened, turned pale as death,
but to endure moments discussion
Or delay was to her impossible. Be
lore the captain or Mr.. Britton could
even recover enough from the shock
he room, had run bareheaded out /;
pto the summer night. and was flying
o the telegraph Office Painting |,
J. athless. with a weight of torturing /
ear ~ her heart, she yet ran like the {
Wind Carlo was in terrible danger
out she might yet save him. The of
Ice was still open she wrote without +,
/ moments delay the following words
o the chief of the police: "Signor :
Carlo DONATE was waylaid on the road I
o Po2zuoi this afternoon, and has
rot been heard of since. The plot .
vas arranged by the signor Giovanni /
comerio. Arrest him Immediately"
In the meantime, Generic, little
linking OF the turn affairs had taken.
VAS making his arrangements with
he utmost calmness and elaboration.
First of all. be went 10 Brancaleone's
agent. who lived in one of the worst
quarters OF Naples. Here he deposit
ed the white handkerchief. which had
been the token decided on. and thc
title packet of notes far the payment
IF the brigand chief Then he gaveI
his tinal orders about the carriage
which was TO take them out of Ma
pies; and afterward finding that he1
had yet some time to spare on his
hands. he went into cafe, where. to
fortify himse for the excitement of
the evening, he called for a bottle of
champagne