Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-09-02
CHAPTER XIII.

myself fO- having been the means Of
bringing her home again.
But when people have poverty before
them they cannot afford to exaggerate
sentimental troubles. and | soon came
TO the conclusion that the best way 10
help Annie was to help myself--to obtain
situation, in fact. As al hope of OBJ
tanning employment in st. Gurlott's was
cut of the question, ] turned my ATTIC
ton to other quarters. After many hea-
pending disappointments and endless cor
fespondence, | obtained q situation as
DyeFSeer of n copper mine In Devon.
/ was in the midst of my preparations,
half happy in the thought Of being able
% inhabit a part Of the globe where my
misfortunes could not find me out. when
l one day heard a piece 81 news which
killed at one blow all my hopes Of the
future, and made my life mere Dead Sea
fruit.
A report spread over the village that
4 lrge Redruth was about to be married
4 thwith TO Madeline Graham.
When Annie heard the news. she cried
bitterly; and I. blind as usual. believed
she cried ont Of sympathy for me.
1t is shame, Hugh she said, after
paving made yon love her, that she
should vile away another man.
Don't say a word against Miss Ora
ham," | returned, for she Is an angel.
Iss, hold your piece" cried my aunt.
lis nawt to Us, and why should you
interfere? And. after all, It's better as It
Is. She could never have wed wi
Hugh"
There was sound sense 10 my aunf's
words. though at the time. with the
hercest jealousy and hatred raging IN
my heart against the man who had sup
planted me. could not listen to them.
"A few days reflection. however. brought
me to better state Of mind--showed
me that / was q fool. and that the news
which had wrought such an astounding
effect upon me was only what / might
have expected.
II was a fnu bright night, clear and
still, though the shifting clouds in the
sky predicted storm. Z had strolied out.
and found the sea as calm as a mill
pond. fringed with white where the edge
Tapped the stones upon the shore. The
moon was shining rndiantly upon it: also
upon the boat house, which | looked at
tenderly, remembering how had carried
Madeline there. With a heavily drawn
800 tFAAR AhRAh ~ AhNfN AMAJF WYNN
d land wes laid upon my shoulder, and
turning, fooad myself face % face with
Madeline herself.
Yes: there she stood, looking more like |
. spirit than thing Of flesh and blood
her face was so white, her eyes 30 sad. |
She was wrapped from head to foot In |
costly furs. while a black hcod was
thrown lightly over her head md tied |
under her chin.
@MadeIineT I said: Miss Graham,
you here at this hour2"
Yes" she answered calmly smiling |
a little; st Is strange place to find |
me, is il not2 But then You know, Mr.. |
Treiawney, | am strange creature.
may as well confess the
truth. / followed you here tonight"
After our dinner this evening, came
out with Anita, intending to pay you
a visit at the cottage. When we came
within sight Of the gate, ! saw you
standing there. l paused moment be- |
fore stepping forward 10 speak 10 you |
and you moved away. striking across the
marshes toward the sea. | sent Anita |
back, and followed You here"
| was not altogether glad that she had |
done so. II was torture to be near her. |
to look At her, and to knew that she had |
come straight from the car. ssing arms of |
another man. However, commanded
myself sufficiently to say;
ut is not right for you to be here. |
Miss Graham. win you let me take you
home y
you shall do so presently" she an
swered, not looking at me, but keeping
her eyes fixed upon the sea. Now |
want to talk to ycu. Is It true you are
going awayr
Yes; It is quite true"
"Aud you viii be glad to 90" she con-
tinued--''to leave your homer
Yes" | replied; II shall De glad 10
60. As to my home ~why, I have no
home now. all is so sorely changed.
There will never be happiness for me
here again.
"You talk very bitterly" continued
Madeline. "What do You mean. Mr.. Ire
lawneyT
Il mean" | answered, utterly losing
my selfcontrol. that, through all these
months Of darkness and trouble. have
been sustained by one thought, one hope,
Miss Graham, we are alone together to-
night: there Is no one but you to hear
me may never see you again in this
werld. therefore l will say IT, love
you have loved you all my lifel''
She put ~ her hand and said. hurried
~. Mr.. Trciawney, please say no morer'
But il was too late; took her hand
and kissed 1t.
Il loved you" | continued. Sin those
far-of days when we were boy and girl
together. Then years afterwhrd the sea
gave you back to my arms. Once again
had looked into your face, my darling
| had but one hope. une thought | know
i was q mailman. knew there was
gulf between us broader than the sea
from which snstched you. aud yet.
fool that was. lived in my paradise,
and refused to see the pitfalls which
were looming ahead. II was enough to
know that ! loved you. and that some,
times | was gladdened by a sight Of
your face"
/ paused. aud dropped her hand she
was crying.
Miss Graham" | cried. don't cry.
for heavens sake! You have a right 60
hate me for what / have said"
She quickly brushed away her tears.
and turned to me, smiling sadly.
Don't say so, please. | hcntr ana
respect you more than can say--nore
than ! can confess. even 70 myself. |
shall pray always for your welfare and
happiness. and shall never forget you
as long as / liver
Suddenly l said. Miss Graham, when
are you 10 be marriedY" She started,
besitated for moment, and then re-
piled: