Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-08-26
CHAPTER xxi.

eyes Of a strong man. The poor old
father-white-haired, haggard, trembling
like a leaf, and feyerishly clasping the
child who had been the darling Of his
days. He looked into her face-he
smoothed back her hair with his wrin-
killed. hand-he murmured her name
while, sobbing and moaning, she chung to
him ind entreated his forgiveness. |
stood looking on, almost terrified. As |
did so, my aunt brushtd past me, and,
entering the kitchen, uttered a cry of
surprise.
'Anniep'
The tone of her voice was harsh and
cold, and her face was stern indeed. Re
leasing herself from her fathers en-
brace, my cousin turned to her mother
with ontstretched arms.
"Yes. mother! / have come bacs!"
But my aunt. with the same stern ex-
preston. repulsed her. and the poor. girl
fell back with u pitiful moan.
"Bide n bit! Wha brSught ZEE? Did
you COON back alonef'
1--WE came home togetl en-" l said,
stepping forward.
Let me look at 'ee!" cried my aunt,
suddenly approaching her daughter, who
NAl = AhNE III oDRtEAs v t[atf EaA I
zee look your mother in the lace? Nav?
Then away wi zee. for you'm ma daugh-
ter o. n,iner'
Ny uneles who had sunk trembling into
a chair, looked up, amazed, as she con-
tint ed:
Lax Mt your father! Look at the
shame ard trouble you'm brought upon
him. A y. " ago be was a happy man,
and | were a happy woman but now
look at us 10th now! Better to be dead
and buried than to COON back var, bring
ing sorrow on folk thar once held their
heads up wi the best"
was lost in amazement at my aunt's
severity: for never foe a moment had /
! anticipated such a reception. Hitherto,
indeed, my uncle had seemed to take the
affair most to heart, and Il was his atti-
tude toward Annie that | had most
dreaded.
Come. come. aunt / said. "You
must not talk to Annie 20. There has
been trouble, no doubt: but it Is all over
now. and everything can be explained"
"Whar has she been all this while,
tell me that7 She left O. her avn. free
viii. and she comes back o her avn
free will; but till | know what she ha'
done. III ne'er sit down or break bread
wi her again.
II told you how It would be!'' cried
Annie. addressing her words to me. but
still hiding her face. Let ME gol /
wish | hal never GOMEZ
And she made a hurried movement to-
ward the door, as IL to hy. Seeing this,
my aunt relented a little; though her
manner was still harsh enough. At this
moment, my uncle rose,
Annie" he said. 'daau't heed moth
or. She dawn't mean it my lass-she
dawn't mean 1t! Whate'er you'm done,
this Is vour home. and you are my child
Our little lass" Then, turning to his
wife. be added, Speak to her. wife!
speak kindly to her! Maybe she'll tell zee
all her trouble"
His broken tones. so pleading and pitt
full. melted the mothers heart. With a
wild cry she sank into a chair, the tears
streaming down her face.
"oh! Annie. Annie! may the Lord for
give zee for what you ha' donei"
Suddenly mastering herself, my cousin
uncovered her face and loked at her
mother. Then. drying her tears. and
speaking with tremulous determination,
she said:
IL know | have been wicked. / know
| should never have gone away. But IL
you have suffered, SO have I. / never
meant TO bring trouble upon you or faith.
er; | loved you both too we'll for that,
But il you can't forgive me, If your
heart is still bitter against me. | had
better so away. | don't want to be a
trouble or q burden. | have made my
bed. l know. and | must lie upon it:
and IL ! had not met my cousin Hugh
| should never have come home"
"reli me the truth. Annie Pendragon.'
said my aunt. "Wha took thee from
home? Was it him as is lying, dead aud
murdered. in his graveY"
Annie opened her eyes in wonder. My
uncle started, and then, curious 10 say.
averted his face, but stood listening.
Il have already asked her that ques-
ton" / said: "and she denies it."
/ saw ms uncle start again. He was
still eagerly listening.
NO. mother" said Annie firmly.
"Naw9 Ye were seen together { FaI-
mouth: sill the folk think tho overseer
took zee away FRO home"
Then It Is net rue"
My uncle turned; his face. which had
heen troubled before. now CHASTITY be
yond measure.
Annie. Annie. my lass" he cried,
'nawn't deny 1t, Speak the truth, and
we'll forgive zee! IL were Mcastcr john
son--say it were, Annie. say it were.
His voice WAS pleading and full Of en-
treaty. l alone of all there. guessed why,
But Annie sht : her head sadly. as she
replied:
Ne, father. Him you speak Of was
nothing TO ne.
Ny uncle had turned away, like a
man mortally wounded, and. leaning
against the Intel of the window. was
locking wildly cut.
"nawn't speak 10 me-" he said
"dawn't. my lass. | can't hear IT.
l thought It time 20 interfere. 81. gent
" taking Annie by the hand, | I'd her to
my aunt. and made them shake hands
and kiss each ether, ii,ss some sort OF
reconcilement Nas established, and pres
I entity the two women. mother and daugh.
ter. went upstairs together. DIRECTLY we
were alone. my uncle turned and facsi
me. l saw that he WAS STR, gresuy agi'
tated. and fancied that l guessed the
cause.
sHugh. my lad" he said Il kNlw
can trust ZEE. Ever sin You was = iitit
lad. you'm been s'aost = son to me-
With the tears hiding n my eyes
I wrung his hand. } pitied him, viii