Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-12-26
CHAPTER ]


Of the Atlantic, indenting the New Eng
hnd coast. The arr was fresh, just
Breaking the surface of the water into
gippIes, which, catching the brillianee OF
ne slant sunbeams, shone like FURNISHED
silver.
On broad, smooth rock. round which
sas thrown many wreath of tangled
seaweed stood Mildred Dacres, who APP
pcared to be waiting for the boat TO
srach the shore. Though Gwenty-eight
years old, her beauty, instead Of fading,
mad only ripened into fuller splendor.
As she stood with her small French hood
Showed back from her brow, from beneath
which fell a profusion OF golden curls,
sovming rich contrast with a crimson
mantle thrown carelessiy over her shout
&prs, there was something 50 graeefuNnnd
picturesque in her whole appearances. as
Do force an involuntary exclamation Of
surprise from the rough though honest
ss0ling man in the boat.
IF she is handsome, / don't like her,
said he, in half-uttered accents. Talk OF
Mack eyes sparklin' and fashin'. IL |
sTer had the fortune TO see real lightnin'
b womans eyes, twas in Mildred Da-
RTes and they are blue as a summer
say. Beshrew me- il | could ever like the
SRI, and if I could have my wish, she
sould be on her way back TO Old Eng
amd "A the first ship that sails. | had
thoughts OF arunnin' my boat ashore, but
DOW I'll keep on little further"
At this moment. Mildred Dacres waved
Der handkerchief.
I'm make believe don't see her" said
A@; and he pulled still harder feFf the
place where he intends I'd to land.
"Sias-Silas Watkins said she, in
Tlear and resonant toaes.
did you speakg' said he, suspending
his oars and looking around. az
Il did and as you very well know what
said, | shall not repeat it"
How should | know. when the wind
sArried your voice right from meT' said
Ae. at the same time slowly heading the
Boat towards the r.. al which she
stood
"Piy your oars a little more briskIy,
worthy SiIas. The sun is getting low,
and the wind begins to be chill" IS
1T will be for my own convenience as
much as for hers" said Silas, in a sup
pressed voice. and in a few minutes the
heel OF the boat grated on the smooth,
Aard beach Mildred sprang lightly into
y, and then drew her mantle more closely
around her.
Il want TO 60 to Mr.. Walworth's." she
said, "and the sooner we reach there the
Better shall like it." As she spoke, she
tossed towards him piece of silver. AT
arst he spnrned it with has foot, but the
sext moment be picked it up.
After all." he thought. sit may as
well 20 to buy me new jacket which
aeed, as finery which she has more of
than she knows what 10 do with,
The moment Mildred had seated iaerself
Silas pulled vigorously towards the head
And Il had originally been covered with
a heavy growth Of forest trees. a grove
Of oaks and naples were still standing,
having been spared as shelter 30
swelling house and the out buildings. The
AOuse, its high, peaked gables pre- <eating
angles so numerous as to cut the wind in
BIS eye from whatever point Of csnfpass
Il should chance to blow, though only
two stories. covered 50 large space as
% render it sufficiently commodious for
abe proprietor and his family, and for
the entertainment of many Traveller, at
time when there were few wayside
INNS. The absence of al architenfural
establishment evinced the severe Taste,
or principles, OF the owner; for Mr.. Wal
worth, in common with other Pnritans
Of his time. looked upon the adoenfnent
Of his habitation, no less than of his per-
son, as one of those vanities in which it
would be sinful to indulge.
do you expect me TO wait for you and
take you hacE?" said Silas.
'No; | shall spend the night with Alice
Dale"
"She would have e think. suppose"
thought Silas, that il is Alice Dale she
Is going to see She can't deceive me.
draws her up to Mr. Walworth's so often.
! wish he could see her with my eyes.
do declare. l would about as leve nut
my hand into a nest Of serpents as among
those curls Of hers that fall over her
shoulders and glisteu so like gold on her
red mantle They do look beautiful.
though. rs true As my name Is Silas Wat.
Rims"
Meanwhile Mildred sat looking listless-
y towards the shore. Suddenly her gaze
Became fixed and eager. UnconscionsIy
abe bent forward. while her fingers were
strained with 50 nervous grasp over the
edge of the boat that the blood grew
purple under the nails. She had caught
tight Of a young man. She felt certain was
Clarence Harleigh, with some one stand
ing near him. VINO. she was no less sure.
was Alice Dale. Without knowinE t. the
cold keen light Silas had spoken HIM
self about glittered in her eyes. and her
nps were drawn in, and SO firmly com
pressed that they looked no thicker than
a scarlet line
"Silas," said she, "turn the boa, into
She stream. l see Alice Dale yonder. not
Sar from the shore. and viii Join her and
walk with her up 10 the house"
With the full strength Of his strong.
Sinewy arms, he bent to the oars. The
Goat flew like sea gull 10 the mouth Of
she river. During only The few seconds
Rhe wind had increased almost 10 hnr-
gicgne. while a dark. Withholding cloud
Aad spread itself over the whole Of the
western heavens They were soon so
near the mouth of the river as TO feel
The force Of the swift. opposing current.
Slas without speaking continued TO pull
steadily at the oars
Step, Silas stop exclaimed Mildred.
For she could now see that the entrance
eli the river was covered with a Sheet of
Foam. while the vexed waves dashed Wild
1y against a large sharp crested rock
which, standing out boldly frpm the
shore, projected far into the stream.
Ii is TOO late now, said he ia answer
70 this earnestly uttered command; and
as he spoke, the keel of The boat grated
harshly against the point eff a sunken
rock.
gus TOT MinI. strnngar nad harear