Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-06-01
NJ a G G / G S H e a TT


I and saw and heard nothing till a grea
rustling of silk and muslin. and his moth
er was rushing across the room. crying
Ernest, my darling." and sobbing over
/ llirrI and kissing him. and welcoming
him home my dear boy" shl says,
with trembling lips. why did you sur
prise US like this? " And before he can
answer the question, Maud in his arms,
embracing him affectionately.
Did you not get my letter."
mo, indeed" said Mrs. Cholmondely,
"or | should have been at Dover to have
met you. We have not had it,"
"Ah. il has miscarried, then, sup
pose" And then they look at him with
painful scrutiny. and note how changed
he is. and how grave and quiet.
lie moves presently, walks over to his
sister. AMI his mother almost gives Il
sob of pain Surely. surely her boy is
not always to walk like this. she thinks;
and even Maud, gentle Maud, starts VIC
lently as she looks at him. They had
told her that he would be a little lame.
but the reality is terrible, and brings
great tears to his mothers eyes.
And how is Miss Duucombe?" he
asks. presently; and where is she to-
day.
she is very we'll says his mother,
rather coldly; and as she notes the light
in her sons face as he hears this. her
heart turns as cold as stone. and every
spark Of love for Maggie. for the time
being. goes from her. Go and see if
Miss Duncombe has taken off her things.
dear" she says, gently. to Maud, "and
t,s-s-, y
us presently--that is. as soon as the we'd
ding is over" adds Mrs. Cholmondely,
lightly and careIessly.
Leave you, mother You astonish
me. indeed, Why should she leave?r
well. dear, l do not want either a
governess or companion; and, of course
Maud viii not
''She saved my sisters life. mother
and that is something to be considered"
Very true. my dear boy; size behaved
well upon that occasion, and it shall not
be forgotten"
And at this juncture. MsiId and Mag
gle come in, and Ernest rises ard flushes
painfully as she gives him her hand, and
with real feeling in her voice says she
is glad to see him home again. And look
ing into her eyes and holding her hand.
the Captain is quite content
There is a grand wedding in the house.
and all is bright and beautiful; flowers,
and favors and bride cake and speeches;
aud Maud is Mrs. Archer Grenfell; and
the old Colonel, with a sigh of great
satisfaction and delight, feels that the
one great object Of his life is accom-
plished
The bride has left to change her dress;
and Maggie, with a tear-stained face. is
waiting to help her, and to say good
by"
She looks down upon the little dark
face, as she kneels ut her feet, pulling
ont a fold of her dress. and then the
shadow has departed. and they kiss each
other. and cry happily over each other
like two dear sisters.
So the young couple start on their
honaynoen tour. and their voyage Of life,
amid shower of white satin slippers;
and the Colonel goes to the Continent,
and Mrs. Cholmondely and Maggie and
Ernest are alone.
Mrs Benson had duly become Mrs.
Atkins just before this. and Mrs. ChoI-
mondely had made her a ha.d.ome pres
ent. to help furnish the house she had
said: but Mrs. Atkins had stored that
away. and had devoted much time and
ingenuity in completing the furnishing Of
her house from secondhand furniture
shops, that she might not touch her gold
en- hoard.
Ernest was sitting talking to his moth
err, soon after the wedding. and lookinl;
out at the open window. He looked
very pale and sad tonight, and yet with
a resolved look on his face Presently
he looks up, and says. And so Miss
Duncombe is going to leave you, moth
erg'
Yes, dear" she replies 81 am try
ing to get her another situation; she is
now answering a letter from a friend of
mine that l think she .1ay suit. But do
you know, Ernest, l am afraid we have
rather spoiled her"
And at this, Maggie enters the room.
and seeing the party, timidly advances,
half inclined, so il seems, to retreat. She
has been crying, he thinks, poor darling;
and his great loving heart gives a bound
Of pity. and he looks ut his mother al
most reproachfully.
lyon look tired. child. Mrs. Cholmon-
dely said, softening little: and she al
most involuntarily takes the pretty face
between her hands and kisses her.
There. good night and she releases
her; and the Captain. with a warm glow
on his face, limps across the room and
opens the door, aud whispers. Good
night" as he takes her hand. lie sits
down again. and there is silence be-
tween them for a few moments.
Mother he says, suddenly, before
l met with this-this accident you re-
member you were wishing that | would
get married DO You remember it,"
Yes. my son, WELL" answered Mrs.
r1oimondely. with a sigh.
We'll, | think the necessity Is great
er than ever now. l shall never be a
very active fellow again, mother. l
saouldnt feel it so much il | had low
ing wife; and l fancy could be very
happy. even if l have to limp all my
days"
We'll. dear" said his mother, taking
his hand, what is it that YOU wish me
to do--choose you wifeT'
No. only make me happy by approx
ing my choice. After all, you ought to
love her as dearly as | do; aud IL can
only win her. and get You to receive her
as daughter, think l S, ID be the
| happiest fellow alive"
My own boy" the fond mother had
said, las II | would not love any one you
cared for! Why Ernest, it will be the
only object of my future life to make
| you happy. Come, dear, who is the lady
hot Mabel, | suppose?"
'No. mother, not Mabel; lady Of ne
| family. for aught l know; one who has