Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-06-22
CHAPTER XVI.

r The wedding day drew near and
there was a great fear and dread at the
Joung brides heart Every day she had
declared she would tell him all. and ev-
cry evening that came saw the task
unfulfHed. SO she put it off, from time
TO time until it was too late, for they
were leaving town, and Randall was not
TO see her again before the eve Of the
Z wedding day
She is happy to night; forgetful of ev-
erything but the present -forgetful even
CT the secret that has TO be told, how
sLe knows not; thinking of neither past
nor future. but only watching the sink
ing sun. ~ d catching the red light rs
it flashes Jack from the western win
dows, dimly .een through the vista Of
trees.
There are giant shadows falling
around her. cool breeze is just begin
ming to whisper through the leaves of
the trees. and she stands listening to
the murrnur, without thought of any
ting in the world but that it is exceed
ingly pleasant, aud that just now she is
very happy.
So absorbed is she that she does not
hear footsteps rapidly approaching her.
and starts violently as a hand touches
her, and shrinks away. half frightened.
1t Is only a grimy little boy. with his
mouth distended into u grin of satisfac-
I ton.
The lad gives her a scrap of paper.
pointing to a figure lodging behind the
trees: and presently a tattered. beggar-
ike looking man rapidly crosses the path
before her. and Maggie, getting alarmed,
hastens home.
1t is dark now, and she goes to her
room 10 take off her things, and read the
mysterious. dirty piece Of paper She
still has il crushed up in her hand, and
ere She can unfasten her hat she has to
lay down the note and then she catches
sight Of the writing. Her face turns a
chastity white She takes up the note.
with q shudder and holds it in her
dainty fingers with ineffable disgust and
scorn.
Only few lines. hut such as make
such women rs this hard and cruel as
the grave. And she sets her teeth firm
~ aud her face is as rigid as marble
She gets up presently, stands up proud
Is. and throws back the beautiful head
r.
Give up Randal--my loye,--never, Soon
/ or leath" And she tears up the little
sheet OF paper in fury of passion.
( throws them down in a little heap. and
stamps on them again aud again. Il
defy YOU" She says, pointing her finger
( in the direction OF the wood. And. for
my loves sake as well as my own, / will
flut TO the last, Give MP Randal-my
+ l0ye-ncver." And she kisses the ring
he has given her for pledg, of betrothal.
and the diamonds and oIals flash back
the sparks from her eyes. that are filled
with passionate tears.
81 she sits. sierra and quiet. but plot
ting deeply; steelng her heart to do and
/ dare end using oil the subtle skill Of
/ her Womans brain, which has never
! been aroused till now. and murmurs Mt
/ last, oh, for the day to pass. and Mr..
/ Roystou 8t home oace more, | shall not
/ be safe until he is back again
( The secret that has haunted her late
! R--the fear that wheE her story had
/ been toli, this man whom she loved so
! passionately might cast her of MS un-
/ worthy was as nothing to the secret that
+ would have to he kept now that she has
read these few lines.
III Mrs. Atkins will only come" She
murmUrs. she may help me, have
] read Of such things being done. and why
! Mt. now Ny only hope" She says.
/ drear.ly "But if she will help me. all
hmay be Well! He cannot follow us
abroad. ut an events" And then She
! blnl $ ont the candles and PAGES M and
down the room. She looks out OF the
! window turtively and starts, for she
! fnncieS she sees shadow passing 10 and
I fro beyond the lawn.
Maggie writes a letter next day. and
AFTER luncheon she aud May drive dow
/ 10 the village I'm tho pony carriage. Ar
rived NJ the pcStotiice. Maggie jumped
niTh,y out and posted the letter her
SELF. and then came and stood for a mo-
uvui beside the carriage ere Sat GOT n
There was Black Jem. is usual
standing at the alehousc dao7. talking &c
n very dsreputahlo looking m, IA. whom
Ire seemed to tr'at with great eontcmpt
He points ont the vehicle presently
. and its inmates. and his companion
after two or three eager questions, sides
Hp the street followed by a Sneerins
J laugh from Black lem. and presently
passes Maggie. who looks straight a.
. him without tinching.
lie mouths strangely as he passes her