Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-03-18
CHAPTER X.

mtcD CAREFUL tOilSiuEiAhtbH 1
have concluded to forgive you. But you
must remember, dear Brice, that this is
the third time, and it is about as often
as my patience can bear, If our engage
ment is broken again, | shall never con-
sent TO a reconciliation.
I'm every instance l have yielded only
after the most passionate avowals on
your part, and never just sure of the ex-
tent of my regard for you. shall call
with Charlie pewan tomorrow. and,
should opportunity offer, | will express
myself more fully. l don't care to put
upon paper my opinion of this silly quar-
rel Lovingly yours.
CAROLINE WENTWORTH .
Miss Barbara folded up the letter. her
lips twitching in queer way. The ex-
preston upon them was partly one of con
tempt. She believed that she saw through
the writer's purpose. CHANGING up, she
saw Brce watching her not dozen yards
away. He came toward her and politely
lifted his hat.
rs that another poem ready to send
to the prblisher?" he asked.
No" replied Barbara, with a faint
smile. Il don't think you would care TO
have this published. 1t is letter OF
which the envelope is missing. | picked
1t up and it evidently belongs to you.
He took the letter and read 1t, mys-
tilted expression upon his face.
mo, IL doesn't belong to me. he said.
"If so. / never got it, What Is the
meaning Of "a? 1t intinates that we have
QuarreIed II so, | don't remember when.
/ never sought a reconciliation. was
never engaged TO her"
1.-THE letter hints at three occasions"
suggested Barbara.
"Yes. | am represented In very wor-
shipfu attitude, while she stands off only
half-diSposed to be gracious | can't ex-
plain it. | don't know what it means
1T was meant that should find the
letter" she slowly said "To create a
false impression in my mind. :"
"Of what kindY' asked he.
''She wishes me to suppose that you
are engaged 10 her" was her answer.
but why does she wish thatT"
He was persistent and Barbara began
to feel embarrassed.
"She is afraid that l might fall in love
with you. Or, perhaps, that ! might en-
courage you She wishes me to under
stand that she has a claim upon Sou,
added Barbara, not sure that she had
clearly expressed herself.
Il don't knew whether Miss Went !
worth is fond of me or not, he said Il
have been sort of partial to her. You
have not made a correct deduction, how
ever"
''why notT'
From the simple fact that she didn't
write the letter. | am familiar with her
writing. Not word or a letter of this
is hers"
Barbara colored and felt rexed at her
self
Perhaps yoG can ~ what L means,
she said.
''No," replied he. "sincc you think
that 1t was intended for me, I'll keep it.
You do not care?"
'Oh, no. she reIoined
She was busy thinking. intensified lines
coming into her face.
"Mr. Rutherft I'd, didn't say that
Miss Rutherford wrote the letter. ] saw
her standing on tlis very spot, after dark |
last evening" particularized Barbara. |
''She intended that ] should find the let |
ter She wanted to leave me under the |
impression that il was from her to you. |
She got some one else TO write it,"
But what was the use of all that2'
Ericc wanted TO know,
1T occurred TO her that perhaps / |
might carry the letter TO you. She hedg |
ed against that possibility. Had it been
in her writing she would have stood cor |
demned. You would have exposed the |
fraud"
well. that's keen analysis. and just |
such a one as woman would make"
decided Brice. Your oprfion OF Miss
Wentworth is not au exalted one"
Il do not want to be unjust to her"
Barbara slowly said. "She is fond of
you aud is Jealous of me. Now. don't |
misunderstood me in connection with the
matter. She has no reason to be jealous
of me. / have not ct my cap for you,
nor do | intenl 10. So you see she
might have spared herself all that plan
ming"
"Rut how win it be if fall in love
with yon without any design on your
partF" Brico asked.
1T would be an accident and would
in no wise be to blame Barbara replied
But how would You act in the mat
teri And what would be my fateY'
Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof" quoted Barbara with smile.
81 never know in advance how / am GO
ing TO set under certain circumstances.
l wait until they arise"
She flung her hand to him and disap-
pcared among the shrubbery.
Two weeks went by. The coal fields
in Carbon County did not seem to need
looking FER; at least Charlie Dewan
was in no hurry TO return home. Per
haps he was prospecting for coal in the
vicinity Of Croylands; Miss Barbara,
more likely, was the object of attraction.
He came almost every day 10 Croy-
lands. She was flattered by his atten-
tious; he was very worthy young man,
aud she realized that he was paying her
an honor. He knew how to make him
self entertaining; they had tastes in com
mon; their views were similar; they took
an interest in the same literary pursuits
Brice saw them together and grew
moody. He was dissatisfied without be-
Ing quite willing to admit that he had a
reason for being dissatisfied
His mother, too, was uneasy about the
probable result. Her wishes might be
tbwarted Mr.. Dewan was positive in
his manner and quick to make up his
mind. Brice would suffer in contrast
with him in Barbara's mind.
'Brice. you'll lose her, she said 10
him one day.
She'll gain good husband" he ssid
There's nothing mean about Charlie
Dewan. You forget that Miss Went
worth is still left
Mrs Rutherford sighed.
Il sec that l am to be disappointed
even In this" she said with n failing in