Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-05-20
,CHAPTER xXIu.-(ContinuedJ

diced a pretty-painted boat drawn up
Beside the one which belonged 70 Croy-
bands. II Nas lettered BLACK Eyed su-
san" He lnew that it belonged 20 Miss
Wentworth. aud he had every reason Tor
suspecting that she was somewhere IN
the vicinity.
CHANGING along a narrow gulch to his
right he saw her a short distance on. She
was gathering blossoms from small tree'
,her shapcly arms uplifted, her head bare,
the creamy petals dropping around her N
a shower She seemed totally oDIyious
of Brice's presence, and yet she khe"
sahat he was watching her, and posed Tor
.ais especial benefit.
Az Brice did not go 10 her. she turned
and approached him with pretty little
mod Of welcome. her eyes sparkling, a
smile on her lips, her hands nllcd With
she blossoms.
He flung himself upon the rocks be-
side her. and watched her as she ar
ranged the flowers.
They talked in a light vein, his blue
eyes scanning her piquant face with an
interest in her which he had never ex-
perienced before; an interest born OF
ffhe confession Of love which she bad
pmEie TO him In the cars. lie was intat-
s1ated as he never had been infatuated
before. He felt like giving himself en-
tireiy over to it, now that he had relin-
.quished his claims upon Barbara.
How blind | have been and how stu
pidr' he thought "She is the one to in-
stall at Croyiands. with her dark face.
.qnseuly air and high-bred grace, her
quick wit. her faultless attire, her pene-
trating voice, her passionate vehemence
i would be proud to introduce her wher-
ever | went. / could live more happily
with her than with Miss Bradlaigh. /
could accord her as much devotion, and
lind as many reasons for endeavoring to
make myself worthy of her. l can still
carry eut my intentions 10 reform"
In that way his thoughts ran on. His
companion OWNED their character: Mt
least. she did not break across them, but
toyed with the flowers in her lap. her
long. siiken lashes touching her olive
tjuged checks, her red lips Suffering
nervoBsly.
Il asked Miss Bradleigh some pretty
direct questions about that matter"
Brice said, not keeping within the con-
: lines az the truth.
What matterf" asked Miss Went
w. &FHhAAE VIZ III A-sAAft tAti'Ns
About hat--that--chiid." be said. his
face darkening. "She deliberately ad-
snitted that belonged TO her"
All" cir uIated Miss Wentworth.
= sith slightly elevated brows. Frank in
her, don't you think? Or couldn't she
well get cut Of it? A young widow. is
she?"
Il didn't inquire as to that replied
Brice, with heated face, Il was indig-
uant enough 10 knew that she represent
ed herself as Miss Bradleigh."
DO you know, Brice, that | didn't
take any stock in her from the very
first p she said, using slang expressions
srhsu she considered them forcibie Her
having pretended that she found TIA; .rt-
Ter gave me glimpse Of her real char
aeter We generally find out that these
nrudisb, over-nice and seemingly frank
girls are a great deal deeper than we
aancy them to be-"
Il WIS very much deceived in Miss
i'radleigh." Brics said But you must
ynpmber that | found her here when
: csfne. aud that | had q right to sup
~ee thar mother had carefully looked up
,er history"
\ short silence ensued
Brice. do you know that | 1m going
away?' the brunette abruptly asked.
Whithcrt"
70 Europe You know | have talked
about il for a long while, Mother is
feeling quite strong now, and is willing
thar | should go"
Brce looked ahsently across the river,
crushing a few spirals o. moss in his
hand lie was revolving some Sudden
purpose in his mind with great rapidly.
Miss Wentworth sang softly aud alb
sently 10 herself, just ms II sac wasn't
impatientIy waiting to hear what he
would say next.
Caroline I'll go with you, IL you will
allow ne." he said, in a strong voice.
She was visihiy startled, Her eyes
sought bis face in all their fascinating
fullacss.
1T would be a great pleasure. indeed
but
AS your husband" he said. abruptly
yci net without agitation. After what
yqu said TO me in the ears last even
ing"
This ia great surprise to me-" sh,
interrupted her voice fHltering. II has
supposed thar your heart belonged entire
ly to Miss Bradleigh.
Ioa had no reason for thinking that.
protested Brice. Il never neglected yo,
an her account. was pleased with her
INT that was all How could ! help |
when | was thrown 50 much into her 50
gictyg As for marrying her. that L quit
another matter. | have loved you al
altg.E. as 30 doubt you knew: If yoi
dian'f. you know il now. ! want 60 mar
~ you, not Miss Bradleigh"
oh. Rrice' exclaimed Miss Wcni
worth, with quick. pleased gesture. he
flushed handsome face turned towar
his This rs $3.50 Unexpected, | al
y4erv happy to he SURE
Vhe look Of love in her eyes caused hi
pulses To throb. She rose aud shoe
from her lap the, blossoms left over afte
fashioniug her wreath. He took the lat
frpr from her and placed Il upon her pnrF
slish black hair,
Ny darling Wife" he said. kissin
hcr. and she passionately responded [
the earess.
The poor, vaciilating, misguided e.
low! He imagined himself happy whe
ne was merely heaping up future mi,
cry. We do not apologize for his CA
duct; we will not tempt to explain &
al may ut admit of any explanation,
we are sometimes whiricd hithrr an
fhither by complications aud are
often hclplessly bound by them.
He assisted her into the boat and rov
ed down the river to where she live,
a valuable. pleasing. rambling old ,,ac
A,.-sf~ ,,.a~.s-a,vDH and ess,4t fRar d