Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-03-09
80 prrp vyI-ff,nntinnea.l

CHATTER AAI.---t ConllDuSu.l
AIasgie's wedding day, the twelfth,
was very near at hand. Mareia's had
been expected a month or six weeks
later, but Mr. Louis was anxious to haye
II come off earlier There was a reason
for his haste beyond love for his OK
pectant bride. The dropping state of
hiyra Leslie's health had become evil
dent 10 every one, aud her family We're
Very anxious about her. All the old
grannies in the neighborhood predicted
ehat she was going into a galloping CON
sumption.
Louis lie Dru knew-Sam, Lima and
Florence suspected Myra was
alrooping with Il broken heart. but not
oue Of these fonr expressed an opinion
regarding the matter Doubtless it in
.i;s;,e.sced Mr. Louis in his desire for
haste So did little incident which took
place at Douglas Hail about this time.
Florence had no love for Louis -she
knew him to be villain as we'll as If
Nance had told her the whole story. But
of course she treated him with perfect
courtesy when she met him
Florence was spending the day at the
hall with Marcia, who often invited her.
Marcia had always loved the noble girl.
She loved her even better now, because
she believed that Vance loved her. In
decd. tie whole family, including the
gta-p sighted Mr.. Louis, were under the
same miStes.e just Ilow--that of believ-
Dug VaNce and Florence on 4ged.
The tNec s.fts were IN the la..S.. :, tn
Louis, when a message was brought Il
Marcia that the dressmakers wanted her
upstairs. When she arose TO obey the
summons, Florence. having no fancy for
a tefe-a-tete with EIr Louis, rose also,
saying, Let me 20, too.
Il was about asking you to excuse me
for a little while. said lie Drn. i think
! viii indulge in a short ride before din
ner'
As they lett the room. Florence drew
Aer Handkerchief from her pocket. A
white paper fluttered out with the bit OF
cambria and fell to the floor Florence
did not see it, but Mr.. Louis did. He
stopped. picked it up. and was about gal
3antly to restore it when his eve CHANGED
SO.catch a postmaFlx upon it. He quietly
waited until tie girls had left the room,
and then looked at it.
1t was an empty envelope. addressed
so Miss Florence Edwards. and post
marked New Haven. Conn. And Mr..
Louis recognized the handwriting as that
-af Vance Douglas.
In the tends name" quoth Sir.
Louis. what is he doing there? III ven
fure the Squire doesn't know where he
Is. Why didn't Miss Slyboots tell il,
when she knows they are anxious for
snews from him Now III put Marcia up
20 a thing eF two. What il he makes
discoveries there? Pshaw, lie cant.
There's no danger. But, all things con-
sidered, ii may as well be best to make
matters safe before he comes home.
Wonder il can't manage it2 Business
letters took him off-why shouldn't they
sske me. too2 III think of it. III not
give missy this envelope. but put it
gvhere she'll End II"
He went back to the chair in which
F'Iorry had been sitting. and dropped the
envelope where il had first fallen, Then
he went ont 10 keep the engagement,
which was not lonely ride, inasmueh as
She only rode as far as the woods on the
shore just below River View. where be
tIismounted, tied his horse 10 a tree, aud
disappeared ia the grove, where a blue
eyed girl was waiting for him with a
sOrrowfuI heart.
tit CHANGED that E'lorry had received
Fanee's last letter that morning just as
she was starting for the haIl. She had
hurriedly glanced over il, and slipped It
anto her pocket, TO re-read during the
day, not even taking time to put il into
the envelope. Lucky careiessnessi Which
saved Louis from reading the letter
which would inevitably put him on the
right track. Florence came back into
she parlor before Marcia did and then
she saw the envelope lying close to her
chair. She quickly picked il up, and her
face flushed as she saw what It was.
How careless I was to drop it, she
said to herself What II Louis had pick
ed ii up? How glad am / found it
Hnyself III make sure it doesn't drop
sgain.'
They were anxious, at the old hall. for
Vance's return in time for Maggie's we'd
ding. At the supper table. the day after
FIorry's visit. the Squire said, for the
tenth time. at least
Il wonder why our boy doesn't come,
or et least, write to us?"
"Tm afraid he is sick" said AMT
So"
Marcia said nothing, nor did Louis,
Just then: but as they walked - the par
sor. after supper. ne said:
Marcia. did it never occur to You 70
nsk Miss Edwards for news Of Vaneei
IL were you, would ask her"
CHAPTER XXIf.
The elegant parlors Of the Leslie man
sion were brilliant with lights aud odor-
aus with flowers. At an early hour they