Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-01-28

sun was settiAt, and his departing rays
came in athwlrt the garden terraces
Happy faces wee ranged down the sides
of that glittering table, though there was
a tinge of sadness or uncertainty in those
two at least. They were looking back
ward; the young people were looking for
ward, full of confidence and spirits Grad
dally IL darkened, and the lamps we're
lighted.
Then. much moved. Mr.. Charles Hun
ter, who had really laid the company an
der obligations by his exertions to keep
things going" was seen looking MP and
down the table. Every one. even Ned,
felt that he was going to do something
that was appropriate. and that no one
else could do so we'll He was there.
| they had an impression, as the mutual
friend, the friend of the house for many
years, which indeed Re had been.
In a moment he had risen, He felt
that on this occasion he might take the
privilege Of interpreting the thoughts OF
all present. He was not going to allude
TO what was past He, with all the rest,
was looking forward TO a bright and hap
Ply future. The darkest hour, according
TO the pretty Irish proverb, was that Ee
fore the dawn. When he thought of that
evening when they had sat there on a
similar occasion, and Of all that had nc
Cured since, il seemed like n dream. On
that, however, he was not going to Owed.
His reason for alluding Mt all to it was
simply thankfulness. He wished indeed,
one was there to complete the charmed
circle. one whom they all knew and low
ed, and who was away in foreign lands.
But it was for the best, perhaps, that
things were as they were. One day they
would probably all meet again at that ta-
BILE. Meanwhile, there was youth and
love and joy all before them Within n
few days they would be wishing JOY on
one of the most interesting occasions
known to the human rae. Miss Lucy,
added Mr.. Hunter with feeling, God
bless you. Tom Barton, God bless YOU"
Nothing could be better done. 1t an
swered as we'll as the real genuine article.
Mrs. Burton felt her eyes filling mp. Ned
looked down the table, seated in his old
place. 1t was. as Mr. Hunter had hap
PLY put it. like a dream. He thought Of
all kindly, even of the unhappy woman
who was. panther-like. ranging up and
down a small room in the asylum, where
she was held in restraint. aud where the
PHYSICIANS SHtu Suc WUuiu Teludlh IbE
the rest of her life. But these gloomy
thoughts did not remain long. A glance
at the faces of Tom and Lucy turned
his thoughts into liyelier channel. He
went to rest that night full of a sweet
and tranquil happiness
A few days later came the wedding
day. when the heir of Abbeylands was
welded to Miss Lucy Forager. and when
her diplomatic mother, attired in II mass
of old Powered silk, her face beaming
from wonderful bonnet. greeted Mr..
Burton with her usual, "You don't Ike
me, | know. Don't tell me- I'm an old
woman and speak my mind on every oc-
casion" But Mr.. Charles Hunter spoke
his mind on the occasion in very feel
ing way. And the happy pair departed.
They were. indeed, no conventionally
happy pair" but really the happiest of
their generation. And within the year
there We're great rejoicings at Abbey
lands. owing TO the arrival-not of Mr..
Burton. who pursued his lonely travels
for many year to come-but of what
was pronounced to be the loyeIiest little
creature that had ever visited the earth
viz, a new Little Stranger"
(The end1