Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-01-13
CHAPTER VIII.


his future.
CHAPTER VIII.
A glorious sunset was Frightening all
the beautiful Kentucky hills, and turning
the spray Of the waterfall into a shower
OF gold, when the picnic party set out
on their return to thei; homes. As
Myra was about to noun her horse. she
paused and took a last lingering look at
the falls.
Ugh! It makes me shier all over"
she murmured. Il can't help thinking
of that poor girl"'
Think, instead, of some one who
thinks Of you, Miss Myraw said 4 soft,
sibilant whisper just at her elbow. She
started and turned quickly. And caught
one thrilling glance, as Louis lie Dru
passed with Marcia.
But Marcia was speaking to the lady
with Dick Leslie, and neither heard the
words nor saw the glance which accom-
panied them. But Myra carried the
memory Of both home in the gentle heart
which duttered like an imprisoned bird
in her tender breast. Poor, pretty. ILL
fated Myra!
Maggie had hardly spoken to Lionel
since the cut she gave him, when he left
her SO abruptly before dinner. But when
he came to escort her home, she saw
that he was in no mood to be trified
with. Nevertheless she found it very
hard to resist the temptation to tease
him little So after they were on the
road. bowling along in Lioners buggy,
she began the conversation herself.
Didn't we have a lovely day, Lionel7"
'*Oh, to be surel A most delightful
day. of courseF'
Lionel, you are cross as a bearP
Maggie. Ia like to know what you
girls see in that black a-vised lie Dru to
bewitch every mothers daughter Of
you."
why. he is bewjtching Don't you
think so? He has glorious black eyes,
curly black b lir. splendid mustache. He
has the most charming manners! Sings
like bird, dances like an angel--alI
the essentials OF a perfect love of a
man., Why 20 you hate poor lie Dru
sol What do you know against him p
asked Maggie. SOLDERING down somewhat.
II don't hate him. nor DO l know any
thing serious against him. / am willing
to admit that be is a gentleman in dress
and address, and Marcia Douglas may
like him as much as she chooses. which
she probably win in spite Of ue. But,
Mag, when a stranger. whom six weeks
ago you never had heard Of. can cause
you to turn your back on the devoted
friend OF years. and say you don't care
whether he lives or dies it iS--it is-oh,
WELT it's no use talking; words won't
express what I feel"'
Maggie saw that she was about to be
ANONYMOUSLY vanquished. She turned
round, girl fashion. and tackled the con
trary way as quickly rs possible, She
covered her face with her handkerchief
and began to cry like scolded child
Lionel lost no time in pursuing the
advantage he had won. He quietly slip
ped one arm around Maggie's waist and
said, tenderly
Don't cry. Maggie, darling. I
wouldn't hurt your feelings for all the
world You don't think 1 would. do
your
'N-nor' sobbed Maggie. behind her
Handkerchief.
You know I wouldn't. dear! But this
playing fast and loose. aud tossing me
about like n baby does a ball, won't do
any longer. 1t won't, indeed, Maggie,
dear Either you do love me or you
dou't. and one way or the other it is
time to end the thing. IL you don't,
why. we part tonight. for good and for
ever. Do you wish it that way, Mag.
gie?"
IN no" sobhed Maggie still in hiding.
Then, II you don't wish il you must
love me- and we need never part at ALL
! It's no use to say 1 love you In my
actions haven't already proven that 10
you and everybody else. my words can't
RIt, Maggie. | want 70 let all my future
| life show that there is no one in all the
world 1 love as l do my little girl-my
Maggie. Come, darling put down that
I bit of rag, look me in the face and say
/ you belong to me and 10 nobody else
| Won't you, Muggie?"
Then. as she half resisted. Lionel drew
away the ''hit Of rag" as he called hei
costly handkerchief OF lace aud cam
brio. aud revealed her pretty face, which
| instead of being drowned in tears. was
/ all sparkling and glorious with fun and
/ laughter.
/ But Maggie was fairly conquered. and
( hiding her face again. this time OF
/ Iionel's broad shoulder, she most hum
/ bly, gave all the promises he wanted.
Before they reached home he had hei
fast bound. and wild as she was. b,
knew he could trust her implicitly
! That picnic was n marked day on 9th
or T, lords than those OF Maggie anJ
! Lionel. On that afternoon Marciai
heart was changed from that Of a care
less, happy girl to that of an earnest
thoughtful, loving woman.
Size mad noticed aly that Vanc,
spent a good deal OF time with Florence
Sut she could not understand why tina
fact should cause her such vague feel
ing Of uneasiness. 1t CHANGED to her {,
oyeraear bit OF conversation betweeI
two Frankfort girls. just before the pic