Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-07-14
CHAPTER xxx.
A New Proposal.
Choose we'll; your choice IS
Brief and yer endless"

Goethe.
1.-TWO gentlemen TO see you. sir, al
nounced the servant, advancing wit
a yisiting-card on the salyer
Carlo having just given out that h
had no belongings in the world, Won
dered who could possibly have al
rived at this time in the evening t.
see him. and while the footmal
crossed the schooiroom. had had TIM
to wonder whether Merlino or Sar
dou might. for some reason, neet
him. whether f. could be a plot o
Comerios; whether Uncle Guido haC
at last relented and come to seek hin
out and make up their quarrel
To his utter establishment he reac
the name Of "Piaie
Now. Of all extraordinary things
that the dear old maestro should come
here just as / was speaking OF him
he exclaimed And The other? He
sent IN no card? Is he young light
haired, German-lookiug?
NO, sir. replied the servant, mid
dleaged and looked like an English
gentleman He gave no card sir
Carlos hope hat possibly Enrico
might have come over with Piale
faded away. and. asking Clare to ex
cuso him, he went down quickly to
the drawingroom where with one
swift glance he perceived a stranger
tall. thin. business]ike, evidently
English, and dear old Piale himself,
with his thick bush of grizzled hair
his parchmentlike skin, and his eager
fiery eyes
The warmth OF the greeting be
tween master and pupil mus h2ve
amused the stranger but perhaps he
was well used to demonstrative for.
eigners for the business-like air never
forsook him for an instant as he
watched the face and figure of the
yorng italian. by the time he had
thoroughly scrutlnized him, had taken
In his various merits and defects
had glanced at the clock on the man.
tel-piece and at the open piano, the
two friends remembered his presence,
and Piale, with pride and emotion.
said. as he turned toward him:
There. sir now let me introduce
to you my best pupil-not looking so
much the worse for his illness as I
had feared"
y had the pleasure Of hearing Sig
nor Donat several times In town last
winter" said the Englishman. pleas
antly; "and am glad to make his ac.
duaintance.
And your voice. my son." said
Hiale, eagerly-"it has really not suf-
fered, you Think"
1T seems all the better for the
rest" said Carlo; "hnd hope to be
at work again in a weeks time
Let me hear you" said Piale.
Come! what viii you sing to me f?
II balen?' Largo al factotum?'
What have We here? Garment, Are
you studying that"
Yes; We are to give It ia America
this autumn
Let me hear what sou make of tho
tn.eador's song" SAID the maestro
seating himself az the piano
Bnt you are tired with your Jour
ncy, suggested Carlo You say YOU
have travelled night and day. Let me
come over tomorrow TO Ashborough
and sing to YOU there"
BAH" exclaimed Piale will, a
SNORT Of contempt" Am [ to Gnd
more reGreshmcnt ia eating or drink
ing or sleeping than in music. my
fricud?"
And with an expression of intense
satisfaction ne Numbered oul the In.
PRODUCTION 10 the song. while Carlo
ohedjently hraeed himself up to sing.
anxious as ever 20 please the auto.
crate Old man, but litoe ner5 GUS
about attempting this particular song
winch hc had only studied by himself
aud slightly troubled by spcculatians
as 70 the English stranger and Piale's
hurried journey once before the
maestro had poued against him
and be could net hyp 'auc,inc that
the stranger had something 20 DO with
a possible engagement
All this faded. however the instant
he began 20 sing Phles uccompaui
mept was eNhjlarutlus For the FIRST
sime he began 20 feel That he was Is
camille and his rendering OF the
Ia