Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-02-18

born and cbristened, get married and de,
in fiction as well as in fact"
"Oh. yes" admitted Brce, with a
smile. There's heroine in the story y
ooh, of course Mr. rutherford.
And she marries the owner Of the
breezy old homesteadE'
The color came and went in Barbara
face. She wishc he wouldn't discuss
her story so persistently.
1T hasn't happened yet she said,
with a queer smile. Il don't know that
III have it happen when | recast the
story 1t would be dreadfully common
place They all end that way"
"Do theyf" asked Brice innocently.
II have never read many romances. |
hope l may have the pleasure of read
ing one Of yours when it is in print, for,
of course, there will be . scramble among
the publishers to get 1t. There's a hero
in it, too, isn't there?
"Unquestionably. He stands out in
bold colors."
Resembling me to any extent|
"Well-yes." she said, with slight
falter.
Describe him TO me-"
Miss Bradleigh looked at him across
the table. Her brown eyes were large,
round, and full. when she cared to open
them to their fullest capacity.
I'm permit you to read the manu-
script" she said
las sort of compromise? | haven't
the time. Now, Miss Bradieigh, do please
tell me what sort of a fellow the hero
is. You can do it in terse, succinct
way. and | would sooner hear you talk
than read your manuscript, however
clear and pretty it may be-"
He only becomes heroic through dis
cipline. His character is brought out by
degrees, as the story progresses, not so
much by any words Of mine as by the
coloring given to his life by reason of
his own actions"
by which you wish TO convey the idea
that we are the architects of our own
characters, and that if life is mean it is
because we make it mean. Character
is what we really are; reputation what
others suppose us to be-"
She shot him an approving glance. He
would talk sensbly when he cared to
exert himself that much. The look of
gravity became his handsome Saxon
face
We'll, what did the hero do, or fail
to do?'
Barbara glanced out Of the window.
scarcely perceptible lutter of embarrass-
ment in her face. She debated her reply;
his persistency wasn't excusable; she
might punish him for it and perhaps ben
eft him as well.
what we succeed in doing would
make rather small book, while what
we fail to do would fill Volumes she
slowly said. a soft, pink glow blending
with her creamy complexion. The hero
about whom you wish to know is purely
a creature of fancy. willful, perverse,
passionate. depraved."
But not beyond redemption" sug
gested Brice.
"As the sequel shows" replied she.
Il Till the bill in most particulars, +"
Brce said, with a shrug.
Il am not describing you" reioincd
Barbara. "Of course the man had some
commendable traits. inherent and acquir-
ed He was surrounded by duties, but
he failed to do them; wonderful priyi-
leges were his. but he neglected TO avail
himself of them: there were golden op-
portunities. but he allowed them to pass
He lacked gratitude for
favors shown; his appreciation was dull:
his sense of accountability was stunted
he lived solely for himself; he had no
high aim in life. He was capable but
INDECENT He had fine property. hut
he permitted it to so to ruin; he was
rich, but he squandered his money; he
preferred the false glamour of the world
to the sweet, calm, genuine brightness of
home; he had kind, loving, self-sacri-
ficing mother. but he simply tolerated
her. His views of life were warped.
his opinions were cratic his Judgment
was biased; his regard for women"
And what about the heroine?" inter
rupted Brice.
His tone was somewhat strident.
CHANGING up at him, Barbara saw that
his face was flushed, that the blue in
his eyes had deepened, and that his lips
wdere slightly compressed.
II wasn't to describe her" she said.
But. she--made-a man of him?'
Yes"
Regarding it as er-her-missiou p
IN certain degree" admitted Bar
bara beginning to feel nervous.
she was an angel,'
she was always conscious Of her in
suffcienCy.' Barbara said, her lips
twitching.
Her efforts were heartily seconded
by the--the-hero's mother" continued
Brice.
The telltale blood filed Miss Brad.
legh's face. He seemed to he blessed
with rare prescience. She had not anti
cipated such a turn in the conversation
He rose to his feet, picked up his hat
and sullenly said:
ct might read very pretty. and all
that, in the story. but yet be highly i'm,
probable in fact"
He strobe out Of the room in moody
manner. not bidding her Rdeu, not even
glancing toward her.
She looked after his retreating figure
an expression akin to dismay in her wide
open eyes Her lips twitched nervously
and she felt that her cheeks were burn
ing. She carefully recalled all that had
been said. tried to forecast the trouble
that might come out Of IT, She was very
much disturbed. and when she descended
to tea. an hour or two later her apprc
hension had not entirely subsidized. She
was glad TO find tn" Brice was not pres
emit
He Is off somewhere with Miss Went
worth" Mrs Rutherford said. correctly
interpreting Miss Barbara's glance at biz
plate.
He is partial TO her, l fancy" Mis-
Barbara remarked in a careless, partly
interrogative tone
Cor She 10 him, replied Mrs. Ruther
ford, lifting her aristocratic hrowS. Ssh
is very superficial. aud ms selfish as h,
| is. They would never get along together