Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-07-15
cuApTER Il

After this watched Annie good deal,
aud / soon discovered she had a great
and growing trouble on her mind. She
was restless and III at ease, and once or
twice, while | observed her quietly,
saw tears suddenly start TO her eyes.
Her mother and father noticed this,
too: but they attributed the change TO
quite ane er cause. They were good,
horest f.k, who could only consider
ore project Mt a time: and as for sew
rral months past their minds had been
occupied solely with The idea Of mar
riage between Annie aud myself. they
naturally assumed disagreements be-
tween us two TO be the cause of their
daughters depression.
| Ono afternoon | Wis standing at the
mouth OF the mine when was startled
| by the sudden appearance Of my aunt.
| She looked pale; rather alarmed; but
ready 70 become very angry.
"Hughp she said. before / had time
to open my lips. where be Awnie?'
Had l been able at that moment to
produce my cousin. she would certainly
have been rated very soundly; whereas
/ | shook my head and said, II don't
know,' the rising anger entirely disap-
peared. and her face grew paler. She
broke down, and moaned between her
sobs, "oh, Hugh! she's gone, gone."
| was fairly stunned, and all | could
do Just then was 10 comfort my aunt,
who was weeping bitterly. when she
was more composed | asked for an ex-
PLANTATION. The facts were simple enough.
After my uncle and | had left for the
mine, my Lunt rose, expecting TO find the
kitchen fire alight as usual, and Annie
busy. She called Annie, but got no an
swer. she searched the cottage, but fail
cd 10 find har. Several hours passed
away. She went down TO the village
and made several inquiries, but with no
result Annie had not been seen by any
ono that day.
Having told her tale, my aunt looked
at me. hoping that | might be able to
say her fears for her child were unbound.
cd could not; the utmost could do
was TO counsel silence. and to try to buoy
! der ~ with hope. persuaded her TO re-
turn home. Tut TIE day was finished
for me. could DIV nothing but think
If Annie; the worst fears struggled to
take possession Of me, hut / diligently
thrust them away, / would not believe
III of my cousin,
About Ave o'clock my uncle came up
from the mine, and | proposed that we
should knock on work for the day, He
was In singularly good spirits. As we
drew near to the cottage, my heart beat
painfully, and when we went in | looked
anxiously about me.
"whar be the little womang asked
my uncle, as we sat Down TO our meal.
saw my aunt's face grow very pale
but she turned her head and answered "a
earelessly as possible.
"She be GAVIN OUT
When the meal was over my uncle
according 10 his usual custom, went Il
his seat beside the fire and 1t his pipe
He had been smoking for an hour OF
more. when a knock came 10 the kitchen
door; then the door was opened. and il
came John Rudd. lie had parcel foI
/ my aunt, which he delivered; he chattet
for few minutes. then he prepared {,
GO His hand vas on the latch Of this
door. when he paused and looked back
Say missus," said be. 'whar be ass,
Awnie GAVIN top
Ny upcle looked up euriously; m,
aunt's cheeks grew as white as ncw,fall
en- snow.
~whar be she GAVIN top she repeated
helplessly.
'Issr continued Rudd, Il seen her thi'
marning i Falmouth, but she we're ~ 5
hurry and didn't see NE. She were dawn
= shS ia,tT. and she went aboard ths
steamer for Portsmouth,
Mr.. Rudd paused. thuudersiruck at tbs
effect Of his words. Ny aunt. thoroughly
/ exhausted by the strain that had beer
put upon her that day, sank. sobbing an5
moaning, into a chair; my ulcle, wa,
had risen from his seat. stood elarins
from one TO another. Presently be spoke
what be al this aho,f my Awnie 2
, he cried Speak. some I'm. II Their
BE aught wrong wi my little woman.
. he cried. "tcil ne. ] aiug child 70 b
petted. nor fool 10 be kept i the dark