Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-04-01
CHAPTER xtII.-CContinued.l

Barbara detected no intention to evade
Her mother is dead. Didn't Benson tell
you her history"
He did not What's the ehild's
nrme?"
"Efie"
"A pretty name Where is she now?"
with my mother"
Again the thoughtful look crept into
Barbara's face
What is-just-expected of me in
this natter she hesitatingy asked.
1T involves something Of a motherly
attention replied Mr.. North with a
smile. You are to see that the child is
clothed, educated and properly cared for.
You need NOT keep her near YOU unless
you elect TO do so. What Benson had
accumulated. as well as the insurance on
his life goes TO the child A sum has
also been set apart to compensate you
for such supervision. Are you marriedT'
Il am not answered Barbara with
huttering lips. Gould / see the child|'
Eyes. You can't help loving her. Here
10 my mothers address. She will make
you welcome"
Barbara glanced at the card. She rose
TO her feet and said
Il gave my promise. / didn't know,
of course but now that benson's gone
he cannot designate some one else, and
there's nothing left for me but to com
ply, | was going to say that ! might
and il necessary to---to-confer with you
from time TO time"
Il wouldn't regard that as an inflic-
tion, rejoined Mr.. North. with smile.
Barbara bowed and withdrew. She
went directly 10 Mrs. North. whom she
found to be a mild, complaisant. mother
u sort Of a woman.
The child was brought into her pres
.ence, and when her eyes rested upon her
she could hardly repress an exclamation
of pleasure
She was a pretty little thing, with
blonde hair, soft blue eyes pink cheeks,
and dimped chin. neatly dressed. grace
full in her movements, shy in her de-
meanor, vet ready to invite confidence
and TO accord 1t.
In a few minutes she was nesting
close to Barbara, entertaining her with
Der childish prattle and evidently regard
ing her with great favor.
You will not take the child away at
onceT' Mrs North apprehensively asked.
oh. no replied Barbara.
Il have no mamma" little EGie said.
wistfulIy her small, warm hand clutch
ing Earbara's. pitiful expression in her
eyes. wv ont you be my mammag
why, you have Mrs. North" remind
ed Barbara, with a throb in her throat.
But she wears glasses and uses
snuff" the child said, in the sweetest of
pleading voices. She'll do for my grand
mamma. But | have no mamma. Won't
you be my mamma
Yes. darlingw cried Barbara, break
ing down and covering the sweet, patient,
wstful face with kisses, the child re-
spending with all the ardor of her ma
cure.
Barbara returned to Croylands by the
en- ening train. She had delivered her let
ter--she had been made acquainted with
her mission-she understood how much
of a responsibility it involved.
The station reached, she hurried off in
The direction Of Croylands. 1t was
darker than she had expected it to be
It was a lonely country road, and she
Wished that she had allowed Brice to
come for her. Just as she arrived at
bend in the road a man stepped up to
her. Her momentary alarm gave place
Ito rrati6ed recognition.
d" 'Tis YOU Mr.. Dewan," she said, not
knowing how much of gladness there was
In Der voice.
'1e+." he replied: Il am surprised to
I'd you alone"
4 just came by train, she said
II expected to find you at Croylands,"
ae said. II was on my way to call ppou
you am going home tomorrow
couldn't 20 without bidding you good-by."
You'll be back next summer
That will depend" he replied. with
shrug. do You know, Miss Br6dle gh,
that you belong to me? You were given
TO me without any stipulation. Miss
Wentworth was the generous dono~,"
she is exceedingly liberal" comment
ed Barbara. 1T is wonder that she
didn't reserve you for herself"
"Oh. she's dead in love with Brice and
Croylands-very much with Croylaads.
Her nature is sordid one. BUT, now
about this claim which she has given me?
I'd be back next summer--and sooner
If thought you would recognize It."
She wondered how much there was If
-earnestness in what he was saying.
I'm afraid that | would be oblging
her too much" Barbara quietly said.
The claim would be worth more if it
came directly from me"
why, to he sure" exclaimed Mr.. De-
wan. 1T is a point | wanted to leach
without any circumlocution. l wish"
q wouldn't grant nor recognize any
claim -that-circumscri my free
dom" interrupted Barbara.
You shouldn't say that" protested
Charlie Dewan. Sometimes bondage
may be incstimably sweet i can con
ceive such case. As your slave. for in
stance. DO you not know that our free
dom is very much Circumscribed? There
isn't day but takes in reef of it.
Yes" exclaimed Barbara, with A
gasp.
She thought of the revelation made to
her that day--of the responsibility Of
which she had been apprised--of 5hat
yearning childish cry for a mothers love.
presence and protection.
Then there was the letter yet unourn-
ed Might that not still more circum-
scribe her liberty? Oh worse still. over
shadow all her life?
Her tone had startled Mr. Dewan. and
he glanced at her down his cheeks He
debated whether il was not best for him
to veer away from the topic under con
ssderation There might be suuken reefs
Just ahead; it was safer for him out in
the mid-channel Of conversation. They
walked on and talked as they walked,
aud at last entered the grounds at Csoy-
lands. They were little surprised 10 see
that the parlor was brilliantly illumin-
ated When they entered the parlor they
were astonished st what they saw; az