Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-08-11
knight GrYant
Continued.
By EDNA LNALA

carlo that the whole house was in
an up1aoar. He shouted an assur-
are that there was no danger: he
begged Marioni to go on with the
opera: but it was all in vain. There
he stood like a statue In front Of
the stage. though all around him his
companions were flying though wo-
mon were shrieking, though Marioni
dragged him by the arm, imploring
him to save himself while yet there
was time. EIe shook himself free,
and remained gazing down at the
seething mass Of people in the stalls
spite of all the confusion, keeping
MS eve steadily on Count Carossa
md his wife. till at length, with a
Dang of w"at and establishment, he
saw the count force a way through
The crowd for a beautiful fairhairea
girl beside him, who seemed to be
almost fainting with terror. and leave
francesca % take care Of herself.
But Indignation soon gave place
To a thrill OF wild evG,lation. AT
least IL was his part TO shield ner
now-her husband had left her. and
that time which he had thought pos.
sibly nigh come in some dim future
had arliyed-he might serve her
might. perhaps save her from death
He hushed to the side of the stage,
leaped down into the deserted or.
chestra, dashed aside the music
stands which impeded his progress,
cleared the barrier at bound, and,
with the agility which was natural
to him, increased by the fearful ex-
element forced his way to Fran
cesca.
"carlino!' she cried--ioy fear,
and relief mlngling in her tone az
she snatehed his hand in .hers-'1
knew you would come couldn't go
with Count Carossa!"
He dropped her hands, perplexed.
troubled, utterly surprised. That Fran
cesca under the circumstances should
have spoken thus, seemed to him
wholly unlike her The marriage had
yet how doubIy strange of her to
come and hear him that night; Low
immensely she must have altered to
greet him now with such words.
Terror must surely have made her
forget all else.
Don't be afraid" he said, very
gently, yet with a manner so re-
strained that she instantly noticed Il;
even II ,S!s Is not wholly a false
alarm, our best hope of escaping un.
hurt is just to stay here quietly See,
If you don't mind my holding you
like this, | think can prevent your
being pushed by the crowd"
Carlo she said. quickly, relaps-
ing into English "are You angry with
me?"
Il? How can you ask such ques-
ton? am not angry at all. not in
the least"
Il couldn't help it; couldn't go
with the count, and not know what
had happened 70 you Are you think
ing Of what people will say?"
No that matters very little But |
fear YOU did wrong to stay"
Wrong, when I love your"
For Gods sake be SILENT" he
cried, in voice rung with pain. II
dare not let you speak such words
to me. Let us say no more at an.
Perhaps the way viii soon be clear.
aand I can take you back to the
count don't understand how he
could possibly leave YOU behind: he
is very much 10 be blamed"
Her eyes were full of tears.
you must not be vexed with him.
she said. falteringly; ut was my 40.
ing would not go, and 1t was
right that he should think first of
his wife: she was almost fainting."
His wife!" gasped Carlo. His
wife! francesca! speak! speak! tell
me what YOU meant"
His manner terrific her.
why. he married Flora Bri;ton,
thar pretty Scotch cousin OF mine:
she had been staying with us since
her mothers death.
For answer, Carlo. regardless of a :.
else, caught her in his arms, and
had the panic In the theater caused
their death he would scarcely have
murmured for in that moment OF
exquisite relief. in that restoration
TO him of all he thought he had lost
he lived through whole years Of
rapture.
MY own my darling? Can you
ever forgive me?" he cried.
Il don't understand" sobbed Fran
cesca: but nothing matters since
you love nothing matters nov
we are together once more"
He thrust his hand Impatient!
into the treador costume. and, draw
dng fortE an envelope. held 1t towart
her
Il cart tell you" he said "bu
look at these. and you win perhaps
forgive ms"
with flank establishment she look
ed at the cutting from the Time
announcing her own marriage 4
Count Carossa.
"Ah, who could have done so crue
a thing" she exclaimed, This neve
could have been in the Times at al
or OF course. We should have hear
- 70 vy1,I .,,,,la haya b,a :, ,,ri,