Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-02-03

hJNLpi , titdISc diiu Adht sOh hphAS ny
self, I'm so anxious to talk to you"
That would hardly be fair returned
Florry. But you may come over as
early as y0u please in the morning"
''Then exl cct me at a dreadfully early
hour" said Vance.
IAN right, WILL" answered Florence.
Poor Marcia heard every word, but
she would not even allow herself one
sigh--no, she would only try harder to
be true to Louis, who was so good and
true to her.
Florence was not less anxious to see
Vance than he was now to see her So
when he rode over to Spring Hill, as the
Edwards estate was called, early as it
was. he found her waiting for him in
the parlor in a pretty morning gown OF
lilac lawn.
II knew you would come early" she
said. greeting him with cordial smile.
Tell me at once. l feel sure you have
made discovery"
Il have, Forry. l am on the right
track now. You saw the picture which
fell on the floor last nightY'
Not clearly. You picked it up so
| quickly that could only see it was
/ ladys picture, lhat was all. But | guess
| ed that it was the girl re wisl so much
to find"
You are quite right, Florry. l had
only a glance at it myself. But that
was enough to show me n girl with long
black curls, the very girl whose nalne |
had forgotten"
But you remember it now. VanceY
Yes; the instant / saw the picture it
came to me. Her name was Burke, and
! her father was one Of the college facul-
| ty. | think her first name was Nettie,
or Elite, I'm not sure which, as | had
no acquaintance with her beyond bow
in the street"
"And she is the girl connected with
4 that old story? Well, now. tell me ey-
/ erything you remember concerning her"
( said Florry.
! 1T is not as much as l wish it was,
/ even after seeing the picture" returned
! Vance Prof Burke filed an honovable
| chair very ably. But he lost his health,
| and finally died Of consumption. Though
so fine a scholar he was a poor finan-
cier. and when he died his widow and
daughter were left with very little. They
took student boarders to support them
selves. and Louis was one of their board
ors"
at seems as though the college author
tiles ought to have helped them. for the
professors sake" remarked Florence,
sympathizingly.
perhaps they did, but l never knew
! Of t. Mr.. Louis soon grew very devoted
to the daughter-that is, in private. They
were ladies of good birth and high cul-
ture Nettie Burke I'm call her that
anyway was the equal Of Louis lie Dru
in every way except wealth. But he
never was seen with her in any public
place
THAT ought to have shown her there
was Something wrong" said Florence.
, At would seem so, at least"
"You say there was talk of mock
MARRIAGE"
Yes. a great deal Of talk at one time.
| The better part of the college fellows
| turned the cold shoulder to lie Dru be-
cause of it,"
well, Vance" said Florence calmly,
al was not there. But / tell you there
never was any mock marriage"
How do you know, Florry?"
Because n girl. good and pure rs you
say she was, never would suffer herself
to be deceived in that manner"
Not if she knew it. certainly, Flor
r,."
We'll. you mark what l say--if there
VS. any marriage at MI in this case it
was a real one. And if so, and she still
| IiYes-don't You seef"
Yes. do see!" cried Vance, starting
up. II viii know, too, before many
| daysr'
what will you do frst?" cried Flor
ence.
Make a trip to New Haven"
How will you explain your absence?
OF coarse. lie Dru must not know where
you y g gone"
Nor any one. except yourself, Florry.
don't know what ! should do without
you at this juncture, my dear sister"
Aud Vance took her hand in warm,
brothe~ly clasp Florence had not school
cd her cart for nothiI 2. There was no
sadness IN voice or smile as she an
| swered:
Il am very glad II l can be Of any
help Of comfort to you, Vance. Tell me
your plans viii you:"
They are hardly formed yet But
she'll lose no time. Let's sce---this is
Saturday / shall go on Monday, / think.
l have been talking Of taking a trip to
Washington | really have some bust
ness there connected with my fathers
estate. aud received letters this week con
corning it, which VII serve for an ex-
cuSe"
But how can I help you. Nance?'
Il shall need some one 90 watch ar
fairs ut home and keep me informed of
all that takes pie here. and whom
can keep posted as 10 what ] am dong.
and give notice of my return. II it should
he necessary. You can do this for me
if you viii"
Indeed wiI Vance I'm only sorry
it is $50 little"
1T is not little. Florry, Everything
may depend upon my knowing the posi-
tion If things at home"
Il shall keep you faithfully posted
, Vance" said Florence.
; But neither OF them could foreSee just
, how much would depend upon Fiorry':
faithfuiness. after Il while.
CHAPTER XIV
The family at Douglas Hall were sit
tug down to dinner when Vance cam,
in.
IT, Better late than never, my boy" sal,
, the old Squire. by the way, you seen
To take great interest in affairs a