Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-09-09
CHATTER ky


A fortnight passed away. Short as was
che time, it seemed an age TO me, hun
gering as | was for some news from
home. J had received one letter, written
by Annie, in which she told me that no
change had taken place since my depart
ure, hut made NJ mention whatever Of
Madeline Graham or George Redruth.
To this ] had replied in as cheerful a
strain as possible, but shamefacedly
keeping silence on the subject nearest to
my heart. / was full. therefore. of Sc
cret anxiety.
One Sunday, the second after my ar
rival, | was astonished to see a light
country cart draw up at the door con
tanning John Rudd and my cousin Annie.
Startled, and fearing some bad news, |
stepped out to greet them, and learned
that they had driven over from Bar
mouth town some twenty miles dis
tant where they had arrive in the car
rier's wagon an the previous night. /
assisted Annie down, and saw that she
was very pale and trembled. Then,
while Jotn Rudd drove away TO put up
tbe horse, / led my cousin into the cot
fage.
Directly We were alone, she burst into
tears.
Something has happened" I cried
''Speak, Annie! don't keep me in sus-
pense! is anything wrong at homeT'
.'Atls well at home, Hugh. dear; it's
not that which brought ne over. | came
10 tell you that the marriage day is fixed.
They are to be welded in St Gurlott's
next Wednesday morning"
knew Of whom she spoke, though she
mentioned no names. and | was both sur
prised and angry that she should travel
20 me with 30 sorry a message. She
sew the darkness gathering in my face,
and cried eagerly:
Hugh, dear, don't be angry. felt
must come and tell yosl--for Oh Il is
breaking my heart. as well as yours.
Breaking your hearty | echoed.
What is il to your
1T Is everything to me Master
George, though be Is going to w"i Miss
Graham, IS my husband in the ,sht of
Godtt'
Then vas rightr / cried Il was
right from the 6rst The yiilainr
All my spirit arose once more against
her. for though had suspected the truth,
her confession came upon me like thun-
derbolt. Stretching out her hands pitt
fully TO me she proceeded
Hugh. dear. | promised that / would
one day tell You everything, aud il il for
that ! came. | waited on till the last |
thought to hold my peace. l hoped and
prayed that he would never go SO far;
but when | heard the day was fixed. my
mind was made up. But first I went TO
him. and prayed to him on my knees.
Then, finding that Il was all in vain, l
determined to come here f"
You are speaking OF George Red
RUTH" ] asked, sternly.
"Yesl"
WAY have you screened him so iongf"
Because | made him promise Be
cause believed until the very last that
he nigh. make amends. Because--be-
cause did not wish to see him harmed
oh. Hugh. forgive me- don't look at me
like that, You promised to be brother
20 me always. Keep your promise now
Hos could | resist her sad appeal? I
was = chnri 70 repulse her. even for
moment. But casting of the mask of
severity, | kissed her and placed her In
a chair. As she looked up at me with
her pleading, fearful eyes, silently
cursed the scoundrel who had been the
cause of her trouble, but for her, poor
girl, had only sympathy and love.
Annie ! said, Il must krow every
ching; no part of the truth. but the
whole: then, perhaps. l can help You.
But FIRST, about this marriage Now. tell
me the whole story
she obeyed me. and listened in deep
agitatiou. Simply. clearly, she described
20 me all that hpd taken place, from the
day she had frt left her home.
She had loygd George Redruih sincere
W, aud app realty be had returned her
affection. lie had deputized johnson TO
take Der aSay, had later joined her. aud
a marriage ceremony had been perform.
ed. lie had sworn her to secrecy. on ac.
esm,s Of his proud mother Later. when
4 nad tired Of her, he bad told her the
Ki4rriage was farce The rest / knew.