Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-03-09


at present but a winter in Florida woild
not be bad idea, il Marcia was his
companion, and he had plenty Of money
And tie Squire certainly could not OBJ
iect 10 a lengthy wedding toGr.
on the Monday morning after Lionel
and Maggie went away, the very day on
which Vance had hoped 10 start west
with Nettie. Mr. Louis rode to Frankfort
for the mail
He came back with long face, ate
scarcely any dinner. and seemed so de
jected that when. as they rose from the
table, he turned to Squire Douglas and
asked for few moments interview the
good old Squire hastily said, Yes. GER
tainiy, certainly. my boy. But DO trust
you have received no bad news"
Louis led the way TO the library before
he answered When they were alone he
said. with a deep sigh: II have had
news. sir 1t rests with yourself and
Miss Marcia whether it is to be consid-
cred good or bad. / received this morn
ing letter concerning my property in
Florida which demands my presence at
once-will keep me there for two or
three months most likely"
Il was not aware that you owned land
in Florida. Louis
Il suppose not. Squire. | have not
been wont 10 boast OF my possessions. :
The truth was il had never occurred
/, to Mr. Louis before TO say that he had
property in Florida, simply because be
did not have any.
"Are you obliged to leave US at once,
LOUISE
Yes. sir. It must postpone ef- we'd
ding, unless the wedding comes hrSt.
And what difference would it make? We
should 90 on our wedding trip in three
Or four weeks; anyway. it is Gully few
days earlier. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. is
all
Yes. I see. my son, Well. send for
Marcia. IL she is willing 70 hurry her
preparations little, it's ali right with
ne"
Thank you. sir, oh, thank you." cried
Louis, eagerly seizing a2d pressing the
old gentleman's land - consider my
cause won. for I almost knew l can win
Marcia's eonsent"
Marcia was summent aud the case
presented. 1t seemed to her almost a re-
lief TO be married and gone before Vance
came home. II was wrong for her to
love him new-after her marriage she
would surely be able 10 forget him. and it
was but difference Of few days after
all--what iid it matter? She readily
consented to go to Florida, and they
concluded 10 send out the cards for Tues
day. the 24th. just week and one day.
az early, Marcia said, as they could
possibly get ready
Ta.,s.sa xx+ea-fI NOT bss at kapoa hfrf IL
Squire fervently hoped that Vance would
be there. Marcia earnestly hoped be
would not So did Louis, bat for differ
there was no danger of his arriving by
that time.
When Florence received the news it
struck terror 70 her soul Only a week.
/ What if Vance did not come? But he
must come. She mnst get him word.
Letters were too slow-there was only
are way-to telegraph. She had his adj
dress both at New Haven and Willow
bank
Vance was not at New Haven. A
message sent there would never have
reached him. To dispatch from Frank
fort, Florry did not dare. They knew
/ so many people there, it might chance to
come to Louis knowiedge-that would
I not do to risk.
I so Florence suddenly discovered thai
/ she must have s6ae articles before Mar
eia's wedding, which she could not find
I in Frankfort, but must go over to Lex
I ingtou 70 procure. She went, the very
I next day--on Tuesday morning. But
! from the tcain she almost Jew TO the
telegraph olEicr, snd sens to Vance this
message:
Come nj once, or you wa be too late.
/ The wedding is Tuesday, 9th. What
shall do? Send answer here, soon as
possible"
She waited in the Office for nearly sIgo
hours. Then yance's answer came; it
read thus:
Il will be there, with his wife. IL
| fail to arrive by evening. oath, tell my
Cncle all with letters"
Florence left the Office with lighter
heart. Vance knew now--he would be
there. IL possible. Anyway. Marcia was
saved. for those words with his wife
/ had told Florence Of Vance's entire sue
cess.
And even IL BE failed to get there in
time. and the telling Of the secret de
voiyed ON her, she knew that wher
Squire Douglas had seen Yance's letters
and the Telegram he would stop the wed
ding until Vance came.
On went the days as IL they were not
fraught with the tragedy OF human life
each one bringing the wedding day near
err Saturday afternoon she went over
/ to consult Marcia on some arrangement
Of dress. In the hall she met Aunt Mad
eleine. who told her 10 go right IN, and
she would find Marcia ia the back par
Tor. Thinking playfully to take her By
surprise. Florence opened the door very
softly. and saw sigh, which strucl
her dumb with establishment.
Marcia WAS there. on her knees upoI
the floor, before small stand on which
a photograph of Vance in a velvet fran,
rested against a gilt easel Marciai
back WIS to the ,'oor. but Florence couit
see that she was weeping and sobbinl
passionately. and pressing kisses upo'
III .enseless picture. in an agony of dis
tress and despair.
Awed and troubled to the heart, Florr,
softly closed the door, and swiftly pass
ed ont of the house. without speaking
10 any one or doing her errand. But sin
could read the riddle now--she bekl tn
key. This deep grief in a light-hearte,
girl like Marcia was not caused by
temporary parting with her cousin
was the evidence Of deeper feeling.
Il always wanted her 10 love Vance
and now / know she does" said Fl0rry
as she FASTENED out why she hai