Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-08-12
cuApTER XVII.

posted my luggage l started on AT once
70 the Offices Of the mining company. l
was ~astonished. on arriving at my desti-
nation, to ind that the Offices con
sisted only Of a couple Of grimy rooms
in a side street. was received hy a
dilapidafed aud somewhat dirty old clerk.
He informed me that the head Of the firm
was at that moment IN his room. was
taken to him. and made haste to state
my ease.
/ soon found that my presence there
was comparatively useless. Like mas
ter. like man, they say. and certainly
Ssecege Rearuth, in forming a company
70 conduct the mine. had been careful
TO select men whose views aceOr1~d with
his own besides, my character nad pre-
-eeded me- they had been forewarned of
I+v visit. and TO all :ly complaints they
had nothing to sly.
Sick at heart ! left the place. What
my next move you'd be / did not know.
1t was certain / could do nothing for
the Cornish miners; and since they could
not starye. they must be left to trudge on
with that grim skeleton Death forever
by their side,
ponderiug thus, | made my way slowly
along the crowded streets, gazing abb
stractedly AZ the sea Of faces surround
ing me. Il was Saturday afternoon, and
the Strand was thronged. The hum of
the busy crowd distracted me, turn
ed. intending to pass down one of the
side streets, when suddenly / stepped
face 10 face with a woman who was
coming toward me. and uttered a cry.
II was my cousin Annie.
Bnt 10 changed was she that ( scarce
~ knew her. She was dressed as a !lIy,
and looked Ike one; but her face was
pale, her eyes looked troubled and sad.
SHE mnst have been w@iSips quickly,
for as I turned to face her she almost
fell into ny arms.
The cry / gave attracted her; she look
ed inio my face. and knew me. She
paused. uncertain what 20 do. My sud
1en appearance there. Of nil places on
the earth. was 50 unexpected that il com.
pieteiy unnerved her. For a momeat
she seemed about 10 fly then, conquering
herself. she stood her ground.
Hugh she exclaimed. "You herei'
Nes| answered, sternly enough. Il
am here
| felt no JOY IN meeting her. Had she
come 70 me poor. despised. should
nav tAhff NAA III lily aAAASF An1 nAAAs
lou poor, rcpentant child, come home"
but when she stood before me in her fine
raiment, my heart hardened: for |
thought ef the heart broken old people
whom she had left. Ny appearance
must have been strange, for l began to
attract some attention, when Annie took
1ne by the arm and led me down the side
street | had intended TO take.
n - ~. MsV EEIs4 - -
London 70 look for meY'
mo. I came on other business, but |
promised to seek you and take you back"
She was still white as death and trem
bling violently. As | uttered these words,
she shock her head, and her eyes filed
with tears.
II eanntt 90 home. Hugh: not yet
she said. sadly.
Not yetY | repeated. "wiR ii ever
be better for Sou than ii Is nowfr
Yes, Hugh. . I'd soon. 1 hope, I shall
be able to go and et1ss them no trouble.
Hugh. dear Hugh you rave never once
taken aly hand you have not looked at
sne as yol would have done some months
ago. You think | hare brought trouble
upon you all; but | am a lawful wife.
"a lawful wife? Whose wifef"
"Ah! do not ask me that. / cannot
tell you. But | am a wife. and some day,
very soon, ! shall be acknowledged. Hugh.
viii you not take my hand. aud say that
son forgive mef''
Il have nothing to forgive" / replied
You did me nc wrong; but you ruined
the happiness Of your home. ana you
have broken your fathers heart,
.Ifugh!'
ut is as well for you to hear II. An
ME, | continued When your fight
was discovered your father bore il brave
II. we thought; but il seems he hid the
worst Of his trouble from Us, and pinned
IN secret. IL has been like 4 canker.
worm gnawing at his heart; and now he
IL weak and feeble, like a weary, worn
old mant''
| ceased, for Annie had turned away
and was crying piteously. | went to her
and took her hand.
Annie ! said, "telI me the name Of
he man who has been the author of ali
fais trouble, and | win ask no more
Il cannot tell you. Hugh. Why SHOULD
you wish TO knowl | tell you | am his
wife
'Ii you are his wife, where Ii The need
of all this secrecy z
"Fhers are reasons why he cannot ae.
knowIed me just now therefore. / have
mede a solemn vow never TO tell his
name until he gives me permission. Is Il
not enough for you to know that | have
not disgraced you, and that | am han.
pyY Will yon tell them at home that
you found me well, snd that they must
not griave; because some day soon I shall
come back to themT'
Where are you living now p / asked
Close BY here" she replied. Quickly.
II was on my way home when | met
you. Will you come with me, Hugh? l
win show You the rooms"
l asseRted; and she led the way. She
walked quickly, aud paused before a
house. Entering with n ~latchkey, she
passed al a light Of stairs aud entered
= room.
This IS where 1 live. Hugh" she
said.
1t was a change indeed from the c,lrn.
ssh kitchen in which she had lived all her
life. The room was enc which | could
imagine Madeline occupying. hut Which
was singalsrly out Of place when coupled
with AnnieF'
Having looked about me. l prepared to
leave.
Where are you going. Hugh?" she
asked Home? Shall l see you apain?"
That ! don't know. Since You say
yon are well cared Tor and happy. whers
i the use Of troubling yoas Some day.
perhaps, when your sun begins to set.
youIi end your way back to those who