Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-08-18

emerged into the dust and the after
noon sunshine, he fell into a happy
reverie. He was TO see her again
and she was his, and the trouble was
all oyer, and the separation ended
and life was so bright that already
those weary years seemed to him
like dream, and the glad anticipation
ike return to real waking existence
She would be waiting for him al
the gate of Casa Bella, and they would
go once more to the belyedere where
he had first told her Of his love; he
would make her stand once more un
der the datura-tree where she had
stood long ago when the trouble was
just beginning to darken on the hori
zon, and he should see her now again
as he had seen her SO often in his
dreams, with the creamy flowers
dropping down over her dusky hair
and her eyes shining into his.
He smiled to himself with the rap
ture Of the thought, and touched up
his horse. grudging every moment
that kept him from his love.
He had ridden about two mil95 be
yond the grotto, and had nearly
reached the cross-road which leads to-
ward Agnano, when he was reused
from his dream Of happiness by his
horse shying violently at the sudden
apparition of man rushing across
the road All his attention was need
ed to quiet the animal, and it was
only when he found himself surround
ed by four formidable-looking rufians
that he realizer another danger.
There was just time for him to give
his horse smart stroke over the
shoulder which made 1t bound for
ward: but the effort was useless, for
one Of his asailants instantly caught
the reins in a firm grippe, and the next
moment he was dragged from his
seat. With all his might he strug-
gled to free himself, but It was only
for a minute or two that he could
even keep his footing; a hand held
his throat 80 tightly that TO cry out
for help was impossible, to breathe at
all, difficult; and. though he fought
CALAMITY, and by adroitness and agil-
fty rather than strength, managed TO
give his captcrs some trouble, 1t was
inevitable that he should succumb.
Bruiserd shaken, half choked by the
relentless grippe on his throat, he at
length felt his strength overborne,
and, struggling to the end. was forced
down ON to the dusty road. Then
came a moments breathing-space, for
he hand at his throat relaxed its
hold. and another and a cOarser hand
was substituted for it. One of the
men broke the silence, speaking in a
low. hurried voice.
Now then Lionbruno, the blow
qaick!"
To move was impossible. Three
mea held aim down in the
dust; a fourth was apparently told OF
10 murder him. He had time for only
two thoughts GomerfDs vengeance
and F'rancesco's grief; and the pang
OF this last thoaght was so terrible
that the prompt blow on the head
which put an erfd to consciousness
was, perhaps. more mereifuf than
or delay.
When he came to himself he reraemr
beged nothing that had passed, but
awoke to consciousness CO intense.
physical misery. HE gasped for
breath and became aware that ais
moatIr was tightly Bsmdages; theref
was. moreover. a cove1dhg over hssss
a. shrouai and in tfire
Aorror OF that thought he instiirguivelgF n
rrief to raise his iaifd and make feel
ing supply the place OF sight, but he
found that his arms were tightly
strapped to- his sides. Restored still
further to fife by the mere asttaish-
ment aad disraay Ds percsived that
tie, was Nv a carria.,e which was Icing
driven rapidly along RATHER ruagh'
ROAD, his head ached serribiS, and felt
Heavy and confused, sGNf he was sink
ing back into a SORT of ssupor and
wondering how long He should
have. to- bear the paiu'of tile jolting1
yehib!s; when the silence VISA brokeu'
by a. voice near him.
pen Di0r who woulSahave thCusaftT
sunin a. sxnalf-made man woalhi have
siyen us so much troulShaa
PIE Aought so well that cur courf-
teeus, Eionsguno was Inn fifty Ininas'
about knocking him on ehe head saids
gustahsr speaker. sarcassieallg.
''lNoeidtente." broke in mucfii
Younger voice; "nothing.of ths' sort,
telr ven. Generic has lfadl to- pay IA
goo,f, prize for his pretty primin DONNA
burt ltse has not given US a Ira, toa'
mucfs for this business-it was Al
risky thing in dull daylight. SacraH-
mentvg the fellow is coming 10 him
self"
Tsra. mention OF Comexioses manner hm&'
brought back everything to Carlos re-
mernnrance. and the intoierable words
whiah followed filed him, with an ans-
giussa which, for the time.. made. this,
pain ncn-existesst. He startadi
forward, found his feat unAsttereas
ana began to writhe and struggle, in n
vsin effort TO free his arms. Instantly
sspong hands forced him DOWN again.
sud heavy boots kicked his saains, hssao