Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-06-10
cuApTER xxx,

CHAPTER xxx.
Barbara, won't you take me back on
probationf" Brice asked. bis voice tFem-
ulous and husky, wild. appealing look
in his eyes.
mo. Brice," she rerned. with tightea
ing lips.
The stiffness that ensued had some
thing appealing In it, She shot furtive
glance into his face. 1t was filled with
utter boz FL sssness that her heart ached
for him. II bad cost her almost n super
human effort ~ frame her verdict.
Brice walked to lis window and look
ed cut. She knew hat he was seeking
to hide his emotion, TO regain control Of
his feelings. She saw his broad shout
ders contract saw him lift his hand to
hrs brow with a movement Of abject de-
spair.
Miss Bradleigh. l must ask you to
be seated for a moment" he said. Your
decision is a hard one, but | must needs
abide by it. | do not say that | blame
you. l provoked you beyond all endur-
snce. and am being punished for it. I
have 40 apologies 70 offer, no promises to
make. | did all that In my letter, in
warm. beart-throb bing. yet carefully de-
1AAH0 nhtu9 Ivy won me SDHE AbEEAFE~
ness, and with that | am to be satisfied
Il seems"
He passed his hand over his face with
a tired movement. Barbara had seated
herself She watched him and waited, a
dull. restless pain in her heart.
II have reformed he continued. AZ
have taken a new lease Of life. I am
going to reach higher plane To that
] have sworn--from that nothing shall
deter me. If | succeed-and | snail sue
ceed--ir will al be owing to words which
you have spoken aud to examples which
you have set me Your refusal to re-
ceive me win favor has not made me
desperate. | shall not abandon my in
teutions or discontinue my efforts. My
3utentions aad my efforts are born of
something mere noble than the mere de-
sire TO please others. If God spares noe
you have bat to watch my career. You
will become proud of it and Of me- and
maybe not regret that you once loved
ne. Your approval and cGea ement
and presence would have been Of great
service 10 me, and yet they are not abso-
lutely essential. as time will show / now
wish to speak about my child. l hope
she Is not 20 become source of con
tentlan between US"
"A source Of contentionr' exclaimed
Barbara. What do sou mean =
AS TO the possession Of her" he said
'She was left to me by her grandfath-
ar she managed to say.
MY rights are above yours or his.
Miss Bfadleigh," Bricc said. in a strange
" calm tone. Il RIM her father. / do
not intend 20 repudiate her. Her rights
Ia ffrtrBBrIa ar J.
admire her. want her TO know and re.
spect me. / want her love and her com
partnership"
Barbara covered away In Der chair.
paileF IN her face, dread in her eyes.
Mr.. Rutherford, ven do not intend to
take her from meg she easpingiy asked
Il viii appeal to Mr.. North. As an at
torney -~--"
"Et isn't question * law with me.
though every right would be upo, mv
side" was Brjce's reply. 1T Is cues
tiou Of fathers love-"
"Oh, BrieeH' shr cried, IN per;-up ar-
any, don't take her from me"
Il won't" he said "Yon see am not
So relentless as you are" aud a slow
smile spread away from lis lips she
might ho always with us--voprs aaa
mine iu common--hut you decline thu.
partnership, however much It might he
Ior her good and for my happiness. If not
for yours. ! can trust her With you, Miss
BrsllciEh She will be conscientiously
reared. heart, mind aud will trained, edu-
Gated and cared for. her lifo kept pr -.
her name unsulGcd her aspirations II
recled. She can remain with you. and
all the more gladly do ! consent because
You have learned 10 love her But have
three conditions 90 name. They are fair.
and must be conceded
What are theyT' Barbara asked. her
eyes stiu strained upon his face
''She must Dr. called EBe Rutherford
and be recognized as heirpss of Cray.
lands. | ana her father am not aShaln.
ed of her neg wss ! ashamed Of her
mother before her"
Il consent Barbara said 'Thera Is
nothing unreasonable Ia al that. II is
but assuring her good fortune"
In the second place l must he allow
ed 20 contribute Ia hey support myself
and no one else, This is manifestty fair
What has been left 10 her by her grand
father must be kept intact aud il ant
added interest must bc paid over to hel
when she becomes of age. Ynu aus
NOT even be compensated out Of the fund
All thc exposes mus At oA8lr by me
Does al! l.ssls saend aerea >ss3ahley'
NO. slr." Barbara husSily said. IL
seems cminently proper. Hut I Won
want any compensation. Thete is d tair'
-C5a,3itiag =
1T is simply the rish; ta see ms chit
whenever l want TO-" a. said. his volc
vibrating. You cannot deny me that!
Ne gasped Barbara.
She uucousciously carried her hand {
her heart. Consent 10 that would IRE
queDty bring him into her presencs
Would she suffer every time as she wa
suffering then-yearnins Tot aim, ye
batting she desire warting TO cling /
him. yet sternly waving him awayf
The privilege Will BE a great boon E
me, bat do not be afraid that ! wi
cake advantage Of IL 10 f3yce myself int