Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-05-06
CHAPTER XXI

became more cool and more frequent:
the dew fell early and the frost chung
late. the pastures put on a Drowned hue:
the leaves of the trees were assuming
yariegated Rttires.
Never were pair of betrothed lovers
more happy than Brice Rutherford and
Barbara Bradleigh. They gave them
selves entirely over to the sweet dream
Of love without ever a thought that they
might be ruthlessly awakened from it.
He became a prince 10 her, n sort Of
Grecian god. 10 all that was suggestive Of
manliness, courage and power. She hung
upon his words: she was restless when
out Of his presence. Il was joy 10 have
her eyes rest upon his handsome Saxon
face. to hear his words of praise. 10 see
how thoroughly he surrendered his will
to hers.
Poor Barbara She could not foresee
that there was to be trouble because of
her promise to Benson: trouble. agoniz-
ing and long continued, and she entirely
blameIess She didn't know. We never
know. II Is best that We don't know.
perhaps
She went to Philadelphia one morning.
urged By nothing but the desire to see liz
tie Efie. Brice went thither in the af-
teruoon not TO spy ont her purposes nor
win the leasl thought of meeting her or
Of hearing from. her through others.
While walking m Chestnut street some
friend struck him smart blow upon the
shoulder He turned. and th stood
Charlie Dewan. They shook han as then
walked of side by side. chatting in fa-
Has
''Brice. must congratulate YOU"
Charlie Dewan said.
About what2" asked Brice.
Your success in winning Miss Brad
leigh"
"Ohr' calculated Brice. Surely she
didn't mention it to you"
But she did. Brice. You gee, she re-
fused me. and. though she did it Ia
kind. sympathetic way. il took me aback
none the less. She had s0uudnd an
alarm, but was too stupid to take warn
ing. A fog horn would NOT have been
sufficient. | struck the reefs AMI was
badly damaged. After abe had rejected
me | wanted to know why I did It more
to beat away as ereditably us I could
than for any other reason. for il was no
business Of mine. don't ron see Wen.
she was frank enough to tell me that
she loved you and that she was engaged
20 you. | am sorry on my own account.
for l am deeply disappointed. bat down
right glad on your account. for she's
girl out OF q thousand. p"
THAT she is. Dewan"' exclaimed
Brice with heartfncss Il am not wor.
thy Of her in many respects. I've been
made aware Of that 20 a large extent
since our engagement It brought her
out Of her reserve and consequently near
or 70 me"
"Brice. what little Girl is that to whom
she is so deyotedy attached - Charlie
Dewan asked.
"a little giri7 l don't know never
heard II any"
Il sweet mite Of q child. quite preco-
cious and just nice enough 10 eat. II
mystlfea me a good deal. and IN a way
in eonjectures.
Brice stared at his friend. a puzzled
lo0b on his face.
When did ynu see the child? ?"
To-day"
Where 2"
AT Mrs North's,F
" rs ~ fsA bEHultfkA VITA Ner
With the child? Part Of the time
called on Miss Bradieigh az Mrs North's
this morning. She had evaded my an
peals By letter. and So visited her 10
person Then il was that | discovered
that hadn't ghost of p chance To win
her While We were alone together the
llttle grl bounded into the r~afn 50 elias
tic rs rubber b4|I Mamma" she
cried. What Is Il. darlinet Miss Brad
leigh asked. exquisite tenderness in her
face and tone. Some whispered words
were exchanged, ga we'll as kisses and
then the child withdrew. Miss Brad.
leigh seemed rather embarrassed over
the questions. As | told you. it myslIfad
me a good deal and I thought sou could
explain Il. or I would not have mention
ID IT,"
Il cannot explain IL" Brice thought
fully said Il can asA her. Some little
relative Of Mrs Sorth's no doubt"
The two gentlemen t1,Scd about other
matters and then separated Try as be
would. Brice could not dismiss from bis
mind what Charlie Dew az had told him.
1t disturbed hin very much, it set him
TO conjecturing. II WAS not SO much tho
reference TO the child as the words ~
cudenrment that had been exchanged
/ Mammal" darling" They might have
meant nothing and they might have
meant r great deal,
/ When be entered tse cars upon his re-
! turn 70 Croylauds he met Miss Went
worth. and she made room beside him.
She was richly dressed, al wore her
diamonds with tarc uncenSciousncss, The
lamps from the ceiling of the splendjd.y
! upholstered car shed d soft light upon
I hev and her black eyes looked yearniug-
| " az him .com out her dark Southern
face
she's confoundedly handsome" was
| his mental comment
She seemed IN an exceeding gracious
humor. There were hundred things
she wanted to tell him she smiled.
/, laughed. hantersd. gesticulstcd. her ewes
scarcely ever OF his face He geIt the
fascination Of her presence. just as be bad
always telJ it when within the power oi
It's influence
How Is Miss BradleiEhg'' she asked
Very we'll She Is 10 town. up'rsS -
took an earlier train"
You no doubt have grown very fond
Of her by this time" she said. Der pa,
| ful toue MASKING her anxiety.
Il know that she IS very fond of me
Brice said. lightly.
she has yet known yen 50 long as