Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-03-04


! ehcn he struck me-
You grappled him. exclaimed NJ
Rutherford, in amazement.
Yes" Barbara said. catching her
breath, then becoming reticent about the
matter. who said that met some one
in the rayine?
"Brice said so.
Barbara's face grew clouded and her
lips curved with pain. Had he followed
her and watched her? Was he capable
Of such meanness? Had he seen the
caress which she and Basil had exchang-
ed---so longingly and feryently on his
part. so reluctantly. distastefully, on hers
And that he should blame her cousin for
committing the cruel assault. She al
most felt like crying about It, She then
and there determined 10 acquaint Mrs.
Rutherford with the whole affair, though
she had at FIRST decided that she would
never tell.
"He stumbled upon you, dear. He
was dreadfully shocked"
Had ne heard the report of a gun?"
Il guess not He didn't say he did
Tue scoundrel didn't discharge his gun
at you?"
shudder.
What is that you sny?' exclaimed
Mrs. rutherford. CONSERVATION in her
face You are certainly mistaken"
mo. Mrs. Rutherford. l saved his
life"
"You-saved-B life" gasped the
old lady. sitting down urgn the edge of
the bed from sheer weakness. why,
how could that have been? I'm sure he
doesn't know a breath about it."
perhaps not" rejoined Barbara. Il
went to meet my cousin Basil in the ra-
,, vine. lie was going away for years, per
haps, and wanted to bid me good-by. He
was ashamed to come 20 the house, being
shabby dressed and not wanting to com
promise me in any way. | had nothing
to give him but good advice and best
wishes He wanted me to kiss him good
by and ! obliged him. He was always
partial to me. 1t cost me nothing, and
the memory of ii may save him. At
least he seemed to have caught at a no
ton of the kind"
She paused, for her voice had grown
trcmuous under the memory and her
eyes we're filmy with tears. Mrs. Ruther-
ford was listening with keen interest.
Did Brice say that he saw my cousin
kiss e?" Barbara asked, only partly
unwilling her eyes
He didn't, dear"
"Well, no matter" Barbara said, purs-
ing her lips. when | came In sight of
the Eouse, upon my return, / saw the
tramp who struck me. He ran hither and
thither with stealthy rapidity, his eyes
on Brice's window. When Brice happen
ed 20 be visible the man raised his gun
to shoot him; but, fortunately, Brice turn
ed away in time. Then | knew what
the fellows intentions were. was al
most stupeied with horror. | shook it
off and stole up behind him. Brice came
again to the window and looked out. The
miscreant raised his gun and fired hut I
was within reach of him. | caught his
arm and averted his aim. Then he turn
ed and felled me to the earth"
Mercy 1t seems like a horrible
dream. And you saved my boys lifer'
she murmured. kiaing Barbara on
cheeks and lips. You had n suffer all
that for him! Oh my dar "! You
shall never, never leave me bh, can
never. never repay you"
1t was very pleasant to rbara to
have herself called by SUD (ndearing
names and to know that Il mother
was so fond of her. She cld her eyes
and dropped into sweet stu where
upon Mrs. Rutherford quiet ithdrew.
Twilight was softly Sc & down
when Barbara awoke. Their as a form
outlined against the wind curtains.
ard she knew that Brice standing
there. She did not speak him. but
she turned on her pillow to Mt him know
that she was awake. He came to her
bedside.
How do you feel now. Miss Brad
leigh?" he asked.
"Oh. quite strong" she said. cheeriy.
II guess l was merely badly stunned. I'm
sas l don't have TO have my skull ja-
PANIED" She laughed softly and added:
I'm very hungry. isn't that a pretty
good sign?"
Il shouldn't wonder if it was" replied
Brce. Il am sorry that l did not ac-
company you to the rayine," he said
And | am very glad that you didn't"
replied Barbara with much deliberation.
His brow darkened because he did not
know what was in her mind. He won
dered what made her lips flutter so.
You met a friend?" he gloomily said.
He gave you a palpable proof of his
friendship"
There was significance in his tor nd
he mean the kiss ar the blow? She
could not read, his face very plainly in
the dimness.
There's the supper bell" she said.
Did she want to get rid Of him?
Il wish you were strong enough to sc-
company me-" he remarked, with rare
patience in man like him.
Perhaps tomorrow evening" Bar
hara said. not aware how he had misun-
deTstood her.