Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-04-29
CHAPTER XIX.-CContinued.)

a1AS " as HAdiitkE ADStiltl. HttRnS AuF
water. wrapped in deep thought, hei
bead bent to one side. a daintily gathered
foot peeping from under her dress, the
sringes Of brown hair about her forehead
gently lifted by the wind. faint pink
1psh in her cheeks, her attitude exceed
ingly graceful Brice watched her with
keen zest, half-famished gleam in his
eyes.
Barbara, you are in no hurry to go
back to the h0usef' he said.
oh, no, she said. 1T isn't late
Let US sit down upon the rocks" he
said.
The rocks were dry and moss-grown.
their ridges Offering a comfortable seat.
She sat down, disposing of her drapery
with girlish grace, the moonl ght falling
around her the water SPARKLING, the
hedge behind ablaze with carlet berries
You got a letter from Charlie De
wan yesterday" he said. ut is The
eeIEird since he left"
''Ahr' calculated Barbara, with de-
niure smile. Il didn't keep count"
''He proposed to you?'
He saw an indignant flush come to her
cheeks and quickly added, with a slight
stammer
II beg pardon. l had no light to ask
that Still, | wish / knew whether you
are engaged to him 1t would very much
alter what | am about TO say. Nay, it
might deter me from saying it at all"
He was talking very earnestly, as If
with some definite purpose in view. She
felt that there was an avowal of love
upon his lips Her heart beat faster, and
she was afraid to glance into his face
Il am willing to satisfy your curios-
IT," che said. with strong command or 3r
her voice. Il am not engaged to Mr..
Dewan. nor to anybody else"
THANK YOU" he said. gladness in his
tone, his face lighting up. Barbara,
am tired furnishing material for your
contemplated books. I'll not pose as it's
hero any longer"
There was such an odd transition in
tone and topic that Barbara shot him r
swift, shy glance She was not sure
that she had caught his meaning.
" Nobody asked you, sir said She "
she was about to sSy, quoting the refrain
of popular little song. but, instead, she
simply smiled.
But I'll tell you what l am willing to
do" he said Il am willing to crafty
my mothers wishes"
His mother might have had a thoa
sand wishes, for aught Barbara knew
TO the contrary. She understood him,
but was determined to make him speak
with more defniteness. AS she neither
answered him nor looked up, he plunged
headong into his subject
Barbara, | have come to know that
am very fond Of you, and that my flu
ture happiness is entirely within your
keeping | was strangely drawn toward
you the first day we met 1t was spe-
cies Of infatuation. and l have fought in
vain against il ever since. This surpris-
ed me all the more because | did not
consider myself very susceptible, and be-
cause | had mingled so much with the
world and had been thrown so often I'M
der the influence of your sex. You were
so different from ali others. however,
because devoid of so many of their fail
ings, and because You possessed so many
qualities which they lacked, that | can
now understand why | was so suddenly
and constantly attracted.
He stopped. his handsome face aglow
with earnestness. his eyes liked keenly
upon her. He noticed the hushed look
on hss face the quivering of he: lips, the
deepening shadows in the sweet brown
eyes.
HtNh NtaAAtig sAas 4t EtsAutus
that l made no atter.pt to win your re-
gard in return. Ar evil spirit seemed to
have taken possession of me. was sus-
pectfui and contrary and perverse enough
to parole bcfore you the worst side of
my nature, have abandoned all that
now. | see my folly. / want TO win
your regard. your friendship your love.
II want 10 become as essential to your
happiness as you have become to mine.
| hove you desperately, Barbara: as a
saint loves heaven, IL youth pardon the
irreverence. | offer you my name, my
hand, my fortune, the devotion of life
time. You have approached the closing
chapter Of your book. | have preepitat-
ed 1t. The heroine marries the heir and
all are happy"
His words were overlapping each other
in their swift warmth. Barbara's checks
glowc,l holly and she felt that she was
trembling. He caught her hand.
barbara. you do care for me?" he
cried. oh. if only the least bit.'
She didn't withdraw her hand, and it
pulsed holly in his.
Il 10 care for you" she said, in great
agitation. wave of joy sweeping over
her. And more than little bit"
"Oh, my darling," he cried with rap
ture SO new TO him. "0h, don't de-
serve all this. When | remember how
="
PLEASE don't go over all that" She
pleaded 1T gave -gave-scope to the
book" and she smiled softly MAY be
1t WIS that which opened our eyes as 10
on: real feelings toward each other"
oh you'd say that anyhow, you are
80 hig-hearted." Brice cried. enthusiasts
tically. "But. do you consent, my sweet?
DO you promise to be my wife?"
Yes" had almost struggled to her
lips when She thought of Bcnson's un-
sopened letter aud the words of warning.
4 cold chill ran over her She with
drew her hand and rose to her feet.
Barbara, what is it?'' asked Rrice. in
alarm.
Ali. lover far more stupid would have
detected the sudden change 1t touch
ei him with its hand of ice He glanced
swiftly about him. as Il wondering
whether she had seen the face of the
tramp glowering upon them from behind
the rocks.
Il love Won, Brice." she said huskily,
an expression OF awe upon her face.
Heaven knows l do. Your other tues
9ion l will answer one week from to-
day"
He was deeply disappointed
why must J wait9' he asked.
1T often does us good to wait" she re
r. IL IL ...,t.