Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-10-28
By JOHN STRANGE WINTER

except the name Of the man whom she
loved.
Il viii tell you that, too, II you par
ticularly wish IT," she said. looking at
her bright, energetic, successful friend
with all her mournful soul in her wistful
eyes.
NO. dearle. no; don't tell me that
1t il not necessary. / understand ii all
without that"
Il am sure that he loved me- Rachel
ventured to say, stung into a defense Of
Val by some infection in Mrs. Damas'
voice, He would never have suggest
ed"
IF you'd been an heiress?' ended the
artist, shrewdly. mo, no. dear, they
never do. They're all alike, these men:
there's not pin to choose among them.
So long as it's all smooth sailing and the
wheels are well oiled. their devotion is
undying, thing 10 dream Of; but when
it comes to a hard-and-fast choice be-
tween the girl they love and the money
they want-why, the girl goes TO the
wall. They're ali alike. my dear, and by
the time you're as old as | am you'li
have got used to Il. But meantime go
ing to the wall isn't exactly pleasant
process-is it9''
i suppose that's about Ii" Rachel ad-
mitted, somewhat ruefully. for up to now
she had not looked at the matter quite in
that light. However that is easily set
ted have done with him now; theirs
viii never be auything between MS again
| want to work-to give my whole life
to painting: to make not ouiy a living.
but name. And | want you 10 advise
me how best 70 set about doing III VIII
yon DO this for me. Dorothy?'
My dear girl cried Mrs. Dams,
"Ill do good deal more than that for
YOU. We were friends III the old days
IN Rome when | was only just begin
ming TO know what success really meant
hked you then-~th0ugh you were a d0z-
en years younger than land | Ike you
just the same now. / viii help yoa all
can. all know But first tell me. Ra.
cbeL what IDEAS you have formed for
yourself"
Il thought" said Rachel, that l had
better get couple Of rooms, though
haven't the faintest idea where. or how
much 20 pay for them. or anything. And
then | thought that Ia better get
studio. or share .one. or something.
thought you would be able to put NE up
to all that"
Stay, dear; before you tell me any
thing more, let me say what is in nv
mind. Come 70 me, | am a successful
woman, with a house three times as big
rs | reilly need. only I am bound in
measure TO keep up certain appearance
am as utterly alone in the world as
you are--so come to me. be MY friend
ms companion. aud share my studis:
II you find you don't work SO well w.
me there, I viii give yon a room with
north Hight at the Top of the house. IL
yoa have enough money 10 do It, you can
pay me a liked suLs for everything. If
YOU have not, you can let it run on. aud
pay me when You have made name.
And IL I never make a namef" RIA.
chel suggested,
Il shall be no worse of than / was be-
fore. The house is here. the furniture IS
here. the studio is here, and a second one
viii cost but a triae to fit Up, II you
need i"
But | am nst actually destitute; I
have nearly thousand ponds" Rachel
explained
Then keep It, my dear--keep il. New
er break into your capital. it IS a golden
rule. Nearly a thousand 9oands-h'm,
Fire-aud thirty pounds a ar-perhaps
. little more--not really emo III for your
dress and painting materials. Better say.
when you are making m0ney 1 Will pay
me a hundred a year. and till gu make
it, let il 90 on Now. what do IA sayf''
Say! Why. what can say except
that ] can't ind words to thank you.
Dorothy2" Rachel cried what win
do? Why. IN come and--and work. Oh!
yoa shall ses how | viii work.