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

question OF gong there again,
America is the. great field for com
y,aniss like Merlino's; I suppose a
great deal of my life will probably be
spent there"
France sea sighed
"Ah, wei. after all it is chiefly in
imagination that distance affects one
Our letters win travel just as
well across the Atlantic. You
will have to send me all your changes
of address. Carlino; and, as for me.
shall have to learn to write smaller
or there will never be space enough
for all shall have to say
BY the time the rest of the party
joined them they had grown accus
toned to the thought of the change
had bravely faced the coming sepa.
ration, each Strengthening the other
TO endure; and Mr. Britton little
guessed as he gayly leased his niece
about her Indifference to the new dis.
coyeries, what had passed during
that hour in the Temple of Venus,
Francesca only smiled and drew him
into description of all they had
seen. while with her eyes she followed
rather wistfully the little figure run
ming with Sibyl down the steep old
street which led out of Pompeii.
They lunched in the little restaurant
at the entrance; allowed Mr.. Britton
TO be inveigled into the region of
photographs, bronzes, and lava orna-
ments: then, in the cool of the after
noon, drove home again, Francesca
nursins Dying Gladiator in terra
Gotta, which was to go home to
Clare in the Pilgrim.
If Captain Britton thought Carlo
rather more silent than usual, he put
it down 10 constraiut in the presence
of a stranger-the last thing Carlo
would have been likely to experience.
However, the WORTHY captain liked
him all the better for it, and talked TO
him in his bland, semi-patronizing
way, chatting him not little on his
light-hearted compatriots, who
thronged the road in their festal
clothes, closely packed in open car
riages.
Eyes, yes; you Neapolitans are ter
rible pleasure lovers" he said, laugh
ingly. Look there, now; ten people
slowed away in that, and the horses
all decked out vita brass ornaments
and bells; and We they are people of
the lower class who, likely enough,
viii be hungry tomorrow"
Francesca fully expected that the
term flower class would call forth
a remonstrance from Carlo, but he
let it pass, and the next moment she
understood why. His eye had been
caught by poster on one of the
walls of Portici, in which Madame
Merlino's name appeared in large let
tiers.
Carlo was invited at the Casa Bella
that evening; he had not yet made up
his mind whether he would tell all to
Captain Britton face to face, or
whether he would write him letter
Though a very fluent speaker, he
was not particularly fond of writing
English however; and if only a ia
vorable opportunity could be found he
rather Inclined to an interview with
the captain.
The opportunity came. Dessert
was over. francesca had left the
room, Mr.. Britton excused himself
soon after, as he had a great number
Of letters to write; the captain drew
his cnalr up to the table again and
passed the wine to his guest. Carlo
knew then that his time was come;
the hand with which he helped him
self to snow trembled a little. but
his voice was firm and we'll modulated
when he spoke.
1T seems a little ungracious to be
glad that Mr.. Brittou's holiday should
be invaded by business letters" he
began. but particularly wanted a
few words alone with you"
Captain Brieton thought of his
scheme for fastening on the mar
riage, and quite hoped that the same
idea had occurred to Carlo. A kindly
smile played about his broad mouth.
Il, too have wanted to speak with
you all day, but these family parties
are no time for confidential talk
Carlo thought of the Temple OF
Venus. and was silent. Captain Brit
ton resumed:
THE fact is. / am anxious about you,
my dear fellow; you look to me far
from we'll. wish that sister of
yours was at the other side of the
Atlantic, and that's the truth of it; it
was bad day for all of US when she
When do they leave Ma
pleso You'll never be yourself again
till you are rid of that brother-in-law.
Il am not likely to be rid of him
for some time to come, l fear" said
Carlo. plunging boldly into his sub
ject. ut is about the step which I
propose taking that l wish now to-
speak to YOU"
Did he mean to propose that we'd
ding Journey which the captain hsdI
planned? His face was grave almost
TO sternness, but then the Merlinos
Sere quite enough TO account for
that.
Il know it is a step which you will
disapproye, resumed Carlo. And
yet-thera is no help for it--take ii
/ must.
CAPTAIN Brittons hopes sank; he