Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-02-24
CHAPTER XVII.

old
To the foot it had known before
"Ah me! where the past sowed
heart s-ease.
The present plueks rue for US men!
/ come back; that scar unhealing
Was not in the churchyard then.
The sumner season at the Merca-
dante was over, Piale and Merlino|
we're well satisfied with its result, and
the Neapolitans talked OF little else
but their new baritone. They were
Justly proud Of him, and grumbled
sorely on learning that he was To-
leave them for an indefinite time.
Carlo. during the series of representa-.
lions, had studied hard, appearing as
Rlgoletto. as Count Rodolpho. as
Plunket as GuilIaume Tell, as En-.
rico, az .garo Ia the "Barbiere," as
the Conte al Luna, and twice in his
fayorite character OF Valentino. II
was with a feeling Of deep regret
that, on the morning after his final
appearance ne awoke to the recoilec-
ton that 1t would be long before he
should again sing TO an audience OF
his fellow-citizens
Gigi who had a provoking h@bit OF
waking very early, had for some time
been amusing himself with the flow
ers and wreaths piled on the table,
and now. sitting on the edge OF the
bed. was trying to crown himself With
one of the laurel wreaths. which con
tinually baaied his efforts by slipping
down on to his neck
Never mind. my Gigi" said Carlo,
laughing 1T is too big for both Of US
We must grow to our crowns"
Did they give them you last night?
How lucky you are! ! wish people
threw me such nice things"
81 throw them 10 you" said Carlo,
making a long arm and tossing @ne
trophy after another across TO tho
child.
Gigi laughed with delight
"Will they always give you such a
lot. do you flnk?' he asked anx
iously.
NO; make hay while the sun
shines" said Carlo. adroitly throwing
a wreath so that It alighted on the
child's brown head Grown and en-
thusiasm will not be met with out OF
Naples"
with a sigh he recollected that he
had but one more day left In his ma.
tive country, His heart felt very
heavy as he wondered how long It
would be before he again set foot on
italian soil. and he began to consider
what he should do with the time
which remained 10 him Mia had
promised to go with her husband to
sac one of his relatives at Sorrento;
therefore he was quite free to do
what he pleased He lay musing sadly,
CHANGING now and then at the funny
little figure on the other bed sporting
about In the tiniest OF nightshlrts
among the flowers and laurels
Well" he reflected, 1T viii bo a
black day for me- I'll do what can
to make Il bright TO the child"
"Gigi, he said. Il am going 10 POI
zuoli today viii you come with
met
Gigi sprung 10 his feet and exc
cuted pas seul OF ecstatic delight
An hour or two later they had
reached the familiar little town, with
it's domes and campanlles, its irregu-
lar white houses, It's groups of antiq'
uityseliers, and It's air of qniet. pic
turesque decay Carlo wandered
through the well known streets feel.
ing like a ghost returned to Its old
home
Every now and then he would be
stopped by some passerby, and ques.
toned aud congratulated. but the re.
turn made him realize more than he
had Yet done how entirely he had
separated himself from the past
Gigi was crazy to see the boat build
Ing. and they stood for some time ON
the beach. In the very place that had
been Carlos fayorite haunt rs q boy.
then they made their way to- the Villa
Bruno. and wandered about in the
garden, and finally went to the house
70 ask for some water for Gigi-
Il made sure you were he count
siguor.' said the peasar, in charge
He said be should be coming 70 see
the place again today"
What COUNT asked Carlo. quickly
Count Carossa. signor He he's
been twice 10 see the villa. and ihey
say he is sure TO take It now
Carlo knitted his brows
why did Count Carossa choose &c
settle down In so outof'the-way q
place? II h. wanted a summer house
why did be not choose one at portici
or Posinpo? And then. like lightning
there flashed through his mind the
recollection OF the counts cagerness
to know Captain Rritton. OF his prompt
acceptance OF the Invitation TO dine
at Casa Bella, Of his evident admira
ton OF Francesca Even at the time
he had wondered sorrowflly whether
Cap ain Brittuns patience would Ions
prefer the claims Of a poor and absent
loyor to the Importantly OF the dozens
OF wealthy suitnrs who would doubt
less besiege him with o0e~- iur BITS
daughters band
n Count Carossa really chose hat
house-a house which In itself had n,
go - 1900. $3.50. 10. -F..ts.-r,. 9... ..t..,+.f 4