Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-09-30

farewell and left her--an but one, who
followed her within and put her arm
kindly about her
"Aiy dear" she said, "the others have
gone away at once because we all felt
that you would be b left quietly alone
just now But you ,aDnot stop here;
come home with me and | promise you
you shall be undisturbed as long as you
like"
Dear Mrs Leroy" cried Rachel,
gratefully, you are all so good TO me
too good. But | want TO stop here as
long as may. / have been very happy
here"-looking with sad, fearless eyes
round the pretty drawing room-"and
may not have a home Of my own for
long time. know how kind and good
YOU are, and | thank you as my poor
darling would thank you If he knew: but
want to stop here"
MY dear, would suggest nothing TO
trouble you" Mrs. Leroy said. kindly;
but remember you are alone now, and
you cannot sleep in this house by your
self or with only native servants. But
If you would rather stop. come IN to as
in the evening after dinner, and you can
be here during the day as much as you
choose"
Eventually this was what Rachel con
scented to do. and Mrs. Leroy went away
90 her own house, leaving her alone. Poor
child. il was not for long that this ar
rangement lasted: for in the land of the
pagoda tree the homes are easily put to-
gether and as easily broken up, the af-
fairs of th0se who die In harness are
set in order so quickly that to our slower
minds there seems something Of indeeen-
cy in such haste So with the affa rs
of Dr. P0wer-almost before Rachel re-
allied that he had been taken away, she
was compelled to leave the roof under
which she had been so happy, forever,
and seek the friendly shelter of Mrs. Lee
roy's house She did not. however, go
there, except to sleep until the day i'm
mediately before the sale Of her fathers
belongings. and Mrs. Leroy met her with
an apology on her lips.
My dear Rachel, | hope you won't be
very angry with me, but | have asked
DIR. Dealy to dinner tonight"
"OA. no. Mrs. Leroy! why should be
angry?' Rachel answered II shall have
to get used to seeing people. Won know
Why. in another fortnight shall be ca
board the +. and Q. steamer. and there
win be no chance Of shutting myself up
then"
And in due time DIR. Dealy cams--a
long lanxy. kindly man: not very wise,
perhaps, but undoubtedly overlooking
with all manner Of goodness Until din
ner was over Rachel had no suspicion
that he was anything but an ordinary
eA HI al
purpose In his coming. Yet cleverly
enough, soon after she and Rachel left
the table and went into the drawing
room Mrs, Leroy managed to efface her
self making some trivial pretense for
her absence.
Nor even when DIR. Dealy came in
from the dining room alone did Rachel
AT all guess what was coming, aithou n,
ii she had once looked at his anxious flrN
with less preoccupied mind than hers
was at that moment. she could scarcely
have failed to he enlightened.
You are all alone" be remarked. not
because he wanted TO remind her of the
fact but only because he was nnusu-
ally nervous aud could not think of any.
thing else 60 say.
yes" she answered, Mrs. Leroy has
gone away for a minute, but she won't
be long. You must try and put up with
me till she comes back; hut'--with II
sad little sigh-''i am afralJ shall
prove very duu person to talk to.
though used to be entertaining enough"
Her words gave the doctor the chance
he was snxiously awaiting Miss Pow
er." he began. eagerly set very humhly.
al he ..F L.,
way. but--but I've loved you for a
long time. and If yeu would only take
me-. ia give all the rest Of my life to
make you A good husband. Il shouldn't
be my fault If you weren't the happie;t
woman in India Mss Power--Rachel 49,
say that sou willt'
lie had come so near to her in his
anxiety and eagerness that he was al
most kueeijug before her, and Rachel,
with something almost ike cry. re-
eoiled from him.
Get up DR. Dcaly. she exclaimed.
II brg-i impioFe you TO get up; in
slst upon il, l--I--cannot listen TO tn d.
Please don't say another word--not an
other word"
Her tone and gestures were so uFgen;
that he obeyed but he pushed a chair
close 60 her and tried 10 take her hand
"Raeiel" BE said. humhly. you are
uo; going ia refuse meT'
but indeed ana she cried. How
! could you Aink Of suggesting such a
| thingl l. in trouble and my dear one
/ but just taken from me. think it IS
| most inc8nsiderate and uukind of YOU
/ You might have known-you ought t
| have known that | should he sure TO say
| no."
There we-s tears 10 her eyes, and tear
! in her voice. too, aud her pretty whit,
! ss..nds were trembling violently. Dr
/ Dealy, however. Numbered on. If tni
truth be told, planging deeper and deepe
into the mire of her dispieasurc ana dis
tress at each stsp he took,
Il always meant to ask you,' he urg
| I'd. mlSerably, "onty never bad quit
courage enough to risk your friendship
And il Is only because your poor faahe
is gone. and yea are left alone and un
protected. that ] dared suggest it, | du
not mean 20 be iuconsiderate and un
kind. Rachel. dear"
Don't call ms Rachel or dear, sh
interrupted. passioRaiely. Il am no
Rachel 70 you. or dear either, An
don't presume 70 say again that az
alone aud unprotccted-l am neither.
am going home to my own relatives A
quickly as | can get ms things together.
Your relativcsr' Or Dealy exclaim
cd in such genuine and blank amasemeu
Jhat RachelS anger vas aroused agar
Why" he said, simply. Il didn't kno'
that you bad any relatives, I've hear
your father say - dozens of times.
! You are mistaken. sir she sad. wit
. dignity. "My father certainly never tol