Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-03-26

ache, and her empty arms stretch them
selves forth in vain--in vain! So she
sped over the meadows and under the
dropping apple boughs with her ears clos
ed to the rhythm of sound filling the
sweet, spring air, but drowned now by
the tread Of her hurrying feet, and the
wild, stormy beats of her longing heart.
Eager eyes were watching her speed
ing along, light as a shadow quick as a
falling sunbeam.
II seed mummy first" said little Jack.
Seed her a longer way than You, Cyr-
rid"
Ivor Grant was leaning over the Rec
tory gate. with Jack perched on his
shoulder and Cyril astride Of the topmost
bar All three had been keeping watch
there for long timea time that would
have been still longer had not those
whimsical fancies and stories of their
grown-up friend kept the little lads from
too anxious suspense"
"You come hereg How good of your
cried Beryl, releasing the boys from that
warm embrace into which they had
sprung as she reached the gate.
She had sunk on her knees on the soft
grass the better to submit 10 those
"smothering" caresses which Jack loved
to lavish upon her. and she knelt there
still. looking up to Ivor's face with her
own all flushed and radiant, utterly I'M
conscious of the pang that smote his
heart-of the knowledge that, dear as she
had become to him, she never seemed SO
dear as in moments OF inexplicabe pa
thos aud sacredness such as these.
II came here because | feared they
would miss you," he said, speaking con-
STRANGELY, because it was such an effort
to speak at ALL "One good turn deserves
another, you know, and you have given
up nearly your whole day to my mother. >
She is better now" said Beryl. rising
to her feet and smoothing back the ruffied
rings of hair about her brow. "She was
asleep. | thought 1 might leave her at
last to the care of Woods and Mrs. Bret
ton"
Come" said Ivor, we are all goin :
to have tea. Mrs. Breton sent down a
basket this morning for Master Jack,
| wonder what was in it. Have you any
idea. little MANI"
ME thinks so. said the little fellow
the bright color which excitement always
brought into his cheeks passing like flame
into its clear, creamy pallor; me thinks
there was a plum cakes, and anoder
cakes, and-and-- What was it, Cyr-
RE. in little pots?"
Preserves, said his brother, loftily.
"No," said Jack, with emphasis, some
fin else. Oh, jam! he went on, delight
eddy. Pots of iam!"
"And now away. duh care" cried
Ivor Grant, snatching the little fellow
and tossing him up in his arms; let us
all enjoy ourselves, old eat plum cake,
and jams. and all tue other good things
that Master Jack i; going to treat us
with. till-till We amt eat any more
Ell, JackT
What a merry, happ. tea that was in
the quaint old rectory pa~lor. How. in
after years, every memory - its simple.
innocent gayety used to cone TO Ivor
Grants heart with sad aud ander visit
fulnessl How often he pictured that
scene-the beautiful face bending over
the cups, the eager eyes of the little lads,
the brave cheerfulness with which the
mother hid her own pain, though every
word and sentence from the childish lips
smote her heart afresh.
The glow Of sunset was still upon the
sky when they sauntered out into the
Rectory garden, after the meal was over
The all was soft and warm, and full of
hat strange hush and sweetness which
.own the close OF a day.
The children ran off to their swing,
which was fixed under the branches of an
old elm tree. the rcctors special pride,
and Beryl and Iyor followed them moro
slowly.
Whit will your guest say to your de
sorting him in this fashion," she asked
at last. Yesterday you agreed we were
nol to see anything of each other, and
yet"
1T is easier to make resolutions than
to keep them,' said Ivor. And my
guest as you call him, does not deserve
much consideration at my hands. / hate
the fellow. | wish | had never set eyes
upon him.
Beryl looked at him in surprise IL
beg your pardon" she continued. coloring
softly. "Of course l have no right to
ask. He looks strange 1Ian-not one
quite to be trusted. / fancy"
DO not let Us waste words in discuss
ing him." said Ivor coldly; Il have had
no opportunity to-day TO ask you of your
| arrangements When--do they gof"
He nodded in the direction of the swing
where Jack was perched. while Cyrirs
sturdy arms sent him flying to and fire.
among the green and gold leaves and sun
| shine.
Beryl told him the arrangements which
! had been made for the boys, in a few
| hurried words.
| "Of course shall 20 and see this
/ Miss Crawley," she said in conclusion
Il hope she may be better than my fears
paint her IL l might only remain &
year Just 20 look after them-to see how
| the system agreed with them. | should
not mind SO much. 1t Is the leaving then
/ to life so new and different that
dread"
Well viii look them up as often a,
possibly can said Iyor with forcet
cheerfulueSs. ''Woodford is not very IA
from here. and they shall always speu,
their holidays ut the Court; aud if yot
viii allow me, viii write you exhaustiv,
accounts Of all their doings and saying.
every mail
"Will you--will yon, really" she cried
with an eagerness and delight that spran,
from some subtle, twofold cause sh,
could not pause 10 analyze. oh. how
kind of Yen to promise that. Cyrrie j.
too young 20 write letters suca as
should long to have. aud Miss Crawle,
might not be able 20 enter into my ankle
lies. Bat you-you know what ghey ar
Ia me and | 70 them. l could trust yoj
next 20 myself.
"Tbank you, he said. buSkily, and