Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-12-30
CHAPTER ".


AUNT Maddy," entreated Vance, as
be was followed upstairs by a curious
troop of house servants. send them all
away won't have it. won't have
doctor. either, Just let Aunt Nerve tx
up something to stop this swelling, and
that's all | need. +"
Aunt Nerve was the head Of the house
servants, and had been Marcia's nurse In
her babyhood. Sitting down on the floor,
she began skillfully 70 bind up FaDce's
injured ankle,
DO you feel better, VanceY asked
Miss Maddy. as Aunt Nerve disappear
ed.
Eyes, aunty, much better wouldn't
mind it bit If il didn't keep me pris-
oner"
4 hope it won't do that very long.
Try " take a nap before dinner. 1t will
soon be ready, aud / will send yours up
here Try 20 rest. and it will do you
good"
Miss Madeline left the room Vance
closed his yes and leaned his hea ! wear
ily against the back OF his easy chair.
Presently light footsteps sounded in the
hall. his door opened, and Marcia peeped
in on her way downstairs. fresh and
sweet in cool robes Of thin pink tissue.
some sprays OF sweet-feru fastened with
Que crimson bud upon her bosom.
Flow is the lame footI" she asked.
Much better, Come in, please re-
Piled Vance with a faint smile.
Marcia tripped over and stood beside
him. brushing the damp. golden locks
from his forehead with her soft fingers.
I'm 80 sorry. Vance! That was nm
unlucky ride, wasn't it?' she said. with
more truth than she knew. Pains you?
Yes. should think il did, judging from
your pale face
That doesn't matter. II win soon he
well. How do you like Mr.. lie Dru,
Marcia?'
81 can hardly tell yet. lie is certainly
the handsomest man | ever saw, aud has
the most elegant manners. Papa has al
ready invited him to stay all summer
aud he has accepted the invitation.
Aren't you giad?''
well-yes. l suppose So" said
Vance, dryly,
Gle is SO handsome, all the girls will
be sure to fall Ia love with him.
"Um-~ycs, l suppose so!' said Vance.
third time. bout you be one Of the
girls ia that respect. Marcia"
"oh, I'm proof laughed Marcia.
There's the bell. must go down. I'm
so sorry you can't come. too. Vance. Mr..
lie Dru will miss you so much"
"Bah, Ii you miss me, l don't care
whether lie Dru ever thinks Of me at all
OF not. Now kiss me and run down; they
will be waiting for you"
As freely and innocently as II he had
been her own brother, Marcia bent and
kissed him. As she stopped, the fra
grauce Of the sweet fern upon her bosom
was borne 10 fauCe's senses
II is odd how small thing win some
times lastingly impress Us, To his dying
day. Vance never inhaled the odor of
sweet fern without having a vivid picture
instantly before him OF his cousin Mar
cia as she stood before him in her pink
robes that bright June day.
Vance knew his own heart well, Bu,
he knew, too. that Marcia's awakening
| from careless Girlhood to noble woman
| hood had not yet come. She was but
| eighteen. he twenty-five They were yet
SO young, they lived under the same root
! and were always together, there seemed
| 10 be no need OF haste. And So Vance
/ waited 10 pluck the golden apples ct life
until Louis lie Dru came to shake the
/ bough'
/ Dinner was announced "a soOG as
Marcia came down. Tue lRtle party pro
4 ceeded TO the wide, spacious dining room
which opened upon cool back piazza
! The table was covered with the finest
{ damask. and glitterins wi.h eN'tly silver
| glass aud precious china. No enc whC
has ever been a guest in one i: thes,
] 'old Kentucky homes" needs ~ be tolC
( thar Il was luxuriously spread
Mr. Louis exerted himself 20 make
] good impression. aud succeeded beyond
| his hopes The old Squire was delighted
4 Marcia irresistibly charmed. and ever
/ stall Miss Madeline thought. with
sign, OF the days whea his father has
sat at that board and tried to win hei
1 for his bride. and how proud she wouiC
/ now be II tits handsome. black~eyet
! Louis could call her mother"
Poor Vance had partaken Of a soil
tary dinner Ia his own room. His apart
ment was directly over the parlor. ans
the sound OF gay voices aad merry laugh
ter was waited up TO him by the summe