Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-06-16

yet through ii all be listened with
longing indescribable. All, yes, that |
was her voice, above all the tumuir |
within and without.
How are you dear ClaTe?" it said;
and again, after pause: "A beauti-
ful crossing. thank you. Why. Flo,
how you have grown"
The voice was drawing nearer and
nearer; The oppression grew frightful.
With an effort he rose TO his feet, and
at that instant caught the first glimpse
OF his love as she crossed the hall
the pure, sweet, delicate face. with its
lovely coloring; the slight, 1.-the fig
ure, the gray eyes, seeking him out
eagerly, yet so shyly. He went
quickly forward to meet her, unable
TO feel for very excess of feeling, be
wildered and overpowered by the Gu
mutt that her presence caused.
And yet 1t was all over so socn, this
meeting which he had rehearsed so
often. both waking and sleeping; a
conventional haDd-eIasp, a smile care
a
Italian, since his native tongue came
naturally to him. and for the moment
he could not remember a single word
Of English After that there was a
pause which he did not dare to break,
because he knew he could not steady
his voice; all he could do was TO try
10 iook and move naturally, and to
get back the perception that his
arms were his own in time to hand
about the cups of tea which Kate, IN
| her cool. business-like way. was pre-
pairing.
After awhile he began to hear what
the others were saying, and soon Fran
/ cesca's sweet, low voice thrilled
through him once more, and before
| ,ong he was carried away by the hap
pinesg Ut the present, and, forgetting
the past. dared to put in his oar, SO
that the conversation became genera
he taking a natural share in 1t, and
| falling back to the old footing OF the
DAYS when Francesca had been his
playmate and friend.
At FIRST the mere possibility OF look
ing at her, talking 10 her, and wsitidg
on her, kept him happy. When Mi
Brtton was present he was little
less at his ease. because he knew that
the kindly host was well aware OF
their story: but by day, when old
Mrs. Britton, or Glare, or the girls
were present, he seemed really abb
to ignore the past. aud act as though
their three weeks betrothal had
never been. The sense Of helping
her 20 play this part, the knowledge
/ that he could shield and protect her
was no small incentive though al
/ times he half wished thai Captain
Britton had permitted Glare to be told
because her sympathy would have
been so well worth having
As to Kate, both the lovers were
unable to help being amused by her
for Francesca quickly perceived hel
desire to convert CARO- to her own
ideas, and Carlo ms inc.!vely knew
1 thar she had perceived it.
! But one rainy morning when the
two girls were at work in the morning
room, Francesca found that there are
times when an undeclared love-stoTy
has its disadvantages
Il have hardly seen YOU alone yet
began Ka g, and there is so much
wanted to talk to you about But you
see have been so frightfully busy
since YOU came; indeed. il has be, L
one incessant rush Of wark all through
The spring, and having Signor Donati
here takes up more time than people
might fancy"
n was good OF uncle 10 ask him
ht re-" said Francesca, keeping her
eyes fixed on her needlework."
ga her is always doing that kind
OF thing But we have never had a
visitor here for so long whom felt ia
understand so little; don't think
Hike him very much
To no cont inue1