Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-10-21

ii is something disagreeabie ] ought to
know it and share it,"
Valentine gave a great sigh. We'll,
dearest" he began, reluctantly, you
know that THAT you told me yesterday
about the way In which your relations
had treated you that they wouldn't even
see you. And left you last nigh, feel
ing that there was only ono tt,ing for
me to do, and yet 1 could not speak to
you first about it. You know. Rachel,
have never talked business to you
We were so happy on board the Saraeen
and felt 50 sure of the future, 50 hap
rs. 50 peaceful, that never thought
ought perhaps, to have told you just all
MY circumstances.
.But you told me that you were poor
that you hadn't two sixpences to rub
together" she cried.
Yes. / know THAT | told yea hat;
I've got to tell yon the rest now" he
said. gloomily well in brief it is this,
darling my father aud mother both died
when | was quite n little chap, leaving
me without a penny in the world. and if
il hadn't been for my godfather | should
have gone 10 the wOrkh0use. As It was,
my godfather, apon whom | really hadn't
the shadow Of a claim except that he
was my godfather and mad been unusual
liz attached to my parents. and was more
over rich old fellow without a rela-
ton in the world. took me mp, took me
home with him after my mother died she
only lived three months after my father
poor soul. got me nurse, then gov
erness, sent me to Eton, then to Sand
hurst; then into the service, and has al
lowed me a thousand a year ever since,
and calls me his heir
How good Of him." Rachel cried.
Yes he's a good Old chap, and he's
been good friend 10 me. And so you
see, my darling, although last night !
felt that there was only one thing for
me 10 do with regard to you--,yhich is,
marry you at once i felt couidn't. in
common fairness to him. say anything
definite about it until l had sounded him
on the subject"
mo, exactly. He has fae hvst claim
on You" she exclaimed.
"Of course, | didn't mean to ask him
for more money. though. | shouldn't
have refused il If he'd offered to increase
my allowance: / thought we might get
regiment ike the White Horse. And this
morning | went down to breakfast with
the old chap. intending to talk it over,
and see what he said about it,"
And what did he sayT'
Refused me- yes, my darling. He
won't hear Of my marrying anybody at
any price. Why. he wouldn't even hear
your name, or who you belonged to, or
anything about you, Some scheming adj
yenturess you've picked up out there.
he rOared. No, sir. / won't give my
consent to any such tomfoolery, certainly
not Let me hear no more about Il.
not another word, or upon my soul, sir.
III wash my hands Of you entirely And
SO" Valentine Harrington ended, rue
fully. che is perfectly capable Of doing. Z"
You think he will not relentT
II an certain Of II; his word with
him law absolute, Interchangeable, un-
brea lie law, Sc, darling. you see the
fix / an in. want to marry you--oh."
putting him arm round her and holding
her close to him; how / do want TO mar
rs you. but--but--"
but your godfather won't have it,"
she ended. Co. Val. Val, there must
be some strange III luck about me. no
hesss scems 10 want me; my people won't
have me at any price, and neither will
yours"
"But want you. he murmured fond
ly. You do love me. Rachelf''
"Oh. VAL" she cried reproach fully.
Yes. know it. only wanted 10
hear again from your own lips. Rachel
darling. can we not seem to give way
% nay godfather's willY II is not like
anything else; 1t is 4 matter purely per
sonal TO ourselves; Il concerns no one but
ourselves, and We do love each other SO
deaty 1t is uot right that we should
be forced apart IN this way"
II don't quite understand you, Val -
"Oh. Rachel. it's SO simple e 81 all.
,ol. you see that although my god
fatbse won't give his consent. there is
no real reason why We should part from
,,'.e another r
You mean a private marriage?'
Rachel dearest love. listen to me.
IL I marry at ALL / shall be djsinherit-
ed. The old man Is SO determined shall
not marry In his lifetime that he has gone
this afternoon 70 his lawyers to have a
uew codicil pat 20 his viii 10 the effect
that Il | am married at the time Of his
death | shall lose every farthing 1t is
not fair, /, is not Just lie has brought
me up with expensive habits and put
me into a procession By which | cannot
make enough % live on; and then. Just
10 suit his own will and caprice, he raises
this objection 10 my marrying ANYBODY
mot merely you. bur anybody Il is not
,,,st. but what can | dog am helpless.
E:e says he has brought me up as his
own son and that he has a right 70 expect
[ shall do as he wishes and his wish is
that shall not marry during his life
time
In measure he is right" said Ra.
chel. decidedly There is nothing for rs
but 10 wait"
Rachel" said uarriug; IN. passionate.
y. he Is old, bur he is not too ol te
keep US waiting for ten or even Fifteen
yearS We can't wait M thai ;.,ne. D.
you once remember my ashiag you IL you
thought you would ever make grea,
sacrifice for meg Well darling. the time
has come-t little thought then that il
wound come ia this way--whep | do ask
yeu 80 make = sacrifice for me, great
sacrifice Marry me secretly. and ms
godfather must not know il. No one
must know il while he lives"
Rachel PVT bis arm away from her and
got uP from ht- chair. standing an
straigi; and taji in the rgdAy dr, light.
Harrington caught her In hiss arms. BIN;
you DO lovo mo. darling he sail cstcl-
ing at she smallest worl in his favor
which might fan frem her lips
Ten minutes ago" she said. lookl5s
ss-aisbt io,o bis eyes with something Ia
hers which he had never seen there be