Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-05-12
knight Grant
By EDNA LYALL


Il thought, perhaps, you would just
90 through 'Dunque 10 son. with me.
she said, as she crossed the room
then as she drew nearer, and could see
his face more clearly. "but am afraid
you are really i'll; you don't look fit
10 be IN
Il would rather not try the duetto
now, II you don't mind" he said
Don't say anything to the rest; nay
be better tomorrow"
but you ought TO see a doctor"
she said; you ought to have a rest,
am sure. Signor Merlino must find
a substitute till you are fit to sing
again, since Fasola is able to take so
few of your parts"
1T may come to that, he said, with
sigh that was almost a groan. Il
wish | had respectable under-study,
who could at any rate do the work on
occasion
Domenica Borelli had a woman y
quick perception, she instantly under
stood the whole story, that story 10
which MeTlino was deaf and blind,
though 1t concerned him so nearly.
For the first time she understood
Carlo Hitherto she had liked him as
a fellow-artist, now she felt that she
longed to be his friend.
is there anything could do to
help your" she said. and there was
soemthing in her kind, quiet, unsen-
timental tone which conveyed TO him
perfectly the sense Of that true friend
ship which, though many deny it,
can most assuredly exist between man
and woman.
In his great distress of mind and
body her help was precisely what he
needed.
Indeed you can" he said. with
tears in his eyes IF n any time
should be obliged to leave the troupe
II should fall ill-wiIi you be "a friend
to my sister and to Gigi?'
It was asking a hard thing OF her.
for she particularly disliked Anita
but guessing his reason for asking
her she could not possibly have re-
fused him
There Is one other thing" ne con.
tinued; q am unhappy about Sardoni;
he is in some trouble. | think Be
his friend. too, as you are mine"
She colored. not feeling at all sure
that Sardoni was the sort of man
with whom friendship would be pos
sible.
Il don't understand Signor Sardoni. "
she said doubtfully.
"Nor !. just now. but he has been a
good friend TO me. wish you would
see a little pore Of him: you might
be his good angel"
She made no very definite promise,
but something in her face satisfied
| Carlo.
And your" she said; you mean to
go on singing"
It'll come to grief--yes, shall
make YOU a miserable Figaro tonight,
but perhaps youll put up with me-"
There was something which touched
her very deeply in his humility. for
she knew how painful II must be 10
his artist nature to face the thought
of attempting a part to which he
could not possibly do justice
Il shall have the satisfaction of
acting with brave man, ut any rate.
she said. ut needs no small courage
to face an audience when you know
You can't please them. Perhaps with
rest, though. you may be feeling bet
ter, ! shall not stay firing you any
longer"
"You don't know how much good
| you have done me-" he said. CRATE,
fully. feeling that her promise. in
case of his Illness. had removed part
of the burden from his mind.
She left him TO prepare as best he
might for the evening, and to- count
the quarters chlmed by the clock in
the town.hall. much as a prisoner
might have counted them while wait,
ing for the hour of execution. Sounds
OF hustle and confusion in the street
warned him that the races must be
over; he left the sitting-room, feeling
quite unable 10 meet the scrutiny OF
Gomez, or 10 endure the talk of any
of his confreres, and dragged himself
mp 20 No. 50; and here, after while
| Giei found him
What gone tn bed SO early San
Carlo'" he exclaimed, trotting up with
his merr, little face but growing
grave and gentle as the truth began
to dawn on his childish mind Are
YOU hetted now" he asked. very anx
iously.
q am only resting, Don't look SO
frightened milo caro-.
They sent YOU some flowers" said
Giti, putting a lovely bunch OF snow.
drops and aConites on the bed: and
J here Is a letter, TOO"
Carlo tried 70 seem pleased. and to
take an interest In the chIlds account
| OF his day at Merlebank. then be
opened Clare's letter, Mr.. Britton
would send the close carriage over for
him In the morning. and hoped he
would be well enough 10 come and
say good bye before leaving Ashbor
ough tomorrow. The Kind words
cheercd him, but he was much toe
III to look 50 far ahead, and the words
of an old Eastern poem hoated
through his mind