Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-04-22
BY FRANK n. sTAUFEEE
o@s-

| it is profitable" was her comment. I'VE
can think over the past with regret, of
the present in thankfulness, Of the future
with hope"
"A trinity, mother" he said, in a
grave vein. @Penitence, gratitude and
joy"
"Brice. | want to thank you for three
things, which pleased me very much, -
she said. Your conclusion not to mort.
gage CrDyIands. the apology you made
to Barbara, and your success in Undue.
| ing her to remain"
She told your Brice asked.
with considerable animation She
knew that I would be pleased. Oh, how
wish W. couId get along always in an
amicable way. / don't want to leave
Croylands, | don't want Barbara to leave
it; and | dO1t want you to leave 1t.
give you fall credit for your good sense.
Mother. Jon have praised me so little
of late years. that 1t makes me feel awk-
ward" Briee said, laughing softly. II
amt used to it-but prize 1t none the
less. All my own fault. am willing to
admit. No obedience, no praise; 10
picayune. no pater noster. Mother did
you know that Benson had his life in
sured for ten thousand dollars? He left
it to Miss Bradleigh to disburse."
That is large sum. Upon herselfr'
II didn't ask him"
You mean Mr.. NorthI'
yes, mother"
II wonder what brought him here 2"
mo doubt Miss Bradleigh knows"
''She says that she doesn't know. At
least, lie had no business that was ur-
gent, or that he could not have transact
ed by letter. IT is my opinion that he
Is in love with her"
well, wouldn't blame him." Brice
reieincd, IN an odd tone.
1T would be quite natural" comment
ed Mrs Rutherford. His position as
Benson's attorney will throw him more
or less into her society. He'll avail him
self of every opportunity max
them, which i suspect he did to-day. If
Benson did not tell her about that--that
--IndscretiOn Of yours, Mr.. North will
be sure to tell her"
We'll, what IL he does?" asked Brice,
sharply. Benson left sealed letter for
Miss Bradleigh. / don't know whether
she knows, for no doubt it contained the
ulhlOfF Oh Tue WHOfe
did Barbara tell you about such
letterY' his mother asked, in an anxious
tone
"She told me about a letter." Brice
said. Il guessed what It was about She
wouldn't let me have it. That was the
time L caught her by the wrist and hurt
her"
ut may be best for you to tell her
some time" Mrs. Rutherford said. THAT
is. IL matters ever become serious be-
tween you. II Mr.. North has taken
fancy to her. and you are slow in max
ing up your mind"
Just wait a bit, mother interrupted
Brice. Leave all that to-to-fatei /
neither like to be contrasted nor ,vged.
You would like to see Miss Bradleigh
my wifeT
Because she IL so exceedingly wor-
thyP exclaimed Mrs. Rutherford
II indorse all that-and more will
accord you this mech of my confidence,
| don't know any LADS whom / love more
or as we'll"
oh. Brice. How glad | am to hear
you say that" exclaimed Mrs. Ruther-
ford.
Il am beginning to realize that Miss
Bradleigh is essential to my happiness.
The only question in my mind is: Row
does she regard meY That is why |
said | didn't want to be urged. ! don't
want to be disappointed. If she reject
ed me. that would be the end of our ac-
quaintance. and of my stay at Croylands
Has she made any admission to you ?"
NO, my son. Not if you mean admis-
sions of affection for you And if she
had made such admissions | would not
tell you. because l would regard il ms n
breach of trust. She will admit all that
to you. once yon ask her. and once you
deserve 1t. You must judge for yourself
in the matter. IL you woo. you will be
likely TO win. But there is such a thing
as priority of attention. Not knowing
what your mind may be. she may not
feel like waiting ON you. even If you have
found favor In her eyes. If man does
not know whether he Is going to be ac-
cepted or rejected. 1t is because he has
not been very Obseryant. or has lacked
shrewdness in some other direction"
She certainly has spoken favorably
of me to you" Brice said. reficctively.
Her readiness to forgive me looks en-
then. too. you would not urge
me forward only to see me rejected. You
W AID be more considerable toward me
than that"
She sees in you great many redeem
ing qualities" replied his mother. Il
can't see so many of them, and yet my
love S1r you is stronger than hers,
though, of course, of quite a different
character. Love, they say, makes us
blind to the bad traits of others. May
it not be that Il also. when united To
excessive anxiety. makes us blind to
some of their good traits? If you try TO
make yourself agreeable to Barbara. you
viii find her to be-be-responsi
Yes" conceded Brice, little dryly.