Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-04-14

walks Of the Casa Bella garden. and
once more Francesca was with him,
/ and just then the recollection Of her
! was enough TO make him happy
there were times when he hardly
dared 10 ;hink Of her at all; there
were times when memory was an
| guish, but there were also times
when he could smile to himself with
the happiness OF the mere thought
that Francesca lived and that he
loved her.
Is this AshborOugh?' asked Nita
from the other end of the carriage.
He was startled back into the pres
ent by a voice which seemed TO him
to be Captain Brittons.
Yes; this is Ashborough, madam -
Could this traveller be the captains
brother-the Uncle George whose
arrival at Naples he so well remem-
bered?
lie felt uncertain. 1t might be only
that his half-dreamy recollections of
Casa Bella had made him fancy some
familiar tone in this Englishman' s
| voice II was hardly likely that Mr..
Britton should happen to get into the
same carriage with them. Besides,
he had never connected him with the
neighborhood Of Ashborough; he fan
| cied Merlebank was in another
county. And even if this should in
deed be Francesca uncle, would it be
very desirable to introduce himself
under the circumstances?
While he wondered what to do the
train had steamed into the station,
and his doubts were solved and his
opportunity lost at the same moment.
Some one on the platform recognized
the gray-bearded Englishman, and
threw open the carriage-door.
'Tla, Britton! are YOU here? I'm
just of to Queensbury, and win take
your vacant place
How are your" said the English
man. with hearty grip of the hand.
Amy Of my people here, do you
know
THE carriage wasn't up just now;
hindered. very likely, the town is in
an awful confusion, the races on Mon
day YOU know
Carlo heard no more He had to
carry Gigi TO the nearest fly, and the
flies seemed scarce and mostly en-
gagged. When at length he had Sc
cured one, and made over Gigi to his
mother. he had to rush off and see to
the luggage. and there was no time
to think any more of his own plans
In the meantime, however, Mr.. Brit
ton had lost sight of him, He felt
strangely curious as to the move
ments of these operate people, and
being Obliged to wait till his own
carriage came up. ne strolled to ana
fro, gIancing now out of the station at
the driving rain and the chilly March
night, now at his late companions.
As usual, it appeared that "Signor
Valentino" did the work the others
all crowded into the one available
fly and sat impatiently waiting while
he hunted UP truant trunks and
portmanteaus.
What an age you have been! was
the greeting he received. You can
get in here! Perhaps therell be an
other fly b.; this time Do you think
the man can, take all the luggage out
side?'
He'll have to" was the reply.
There's nothing else to be had nor
any chance of getting anything. 1t
seems it Is. the race week
can't YOU change places with him,
Signor Gomez3' said Nita, for once in
her life prompted to think for her
brother Ills cough is so bad he
oughtn't to be out on such night"
Gomez made a dignified excuse.
and suggested that if they delayed
any longer II would he impossible to
dine before the opera
And by the bye. Val. my dear fell
low. just ston in passing at the the
alter" exclaimed Merlino; you'll no.
tice 1t on your way to the hotel, and
might Just see that all is right there.
Very well. Is my umbrella
handy2'
To be continued