Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-05-25
CHAPTER XIX.

The shadows that had been creepin
up during this festive season-wnei
Peace on earth, good will to men," ha'
been the loving, gentle message--wer
casting their dull darkness ever so light,
over the Brighton home.
There was a little constraint upoi
them all, making even Maggie uneer.
Portable, if not unhappy. How it began
or why or wherefore, not one Of then
could have told you; but there it was
notwithstanding, and there it showed it
self on this New Years eve, when theJ
were to sit up to see the old year on
and the new one in.
But the change in Ernest was mos
,palpable-he had changed so unmistaka
bly, that even TO ordinary eyes he was
different man to the gay. light-hearteC
Captain of other and happier days. HI
had been walking by the sea this New
Years eve, listening 70 the mournfu
north wind, as it whistled round the cor
ners of the squares.
Poor, love-sick boy, he was in great
grief and sorrow just now. 1t was nc
fault of his; for nobler. happier fellow
had never trod the earth. The cause OF
it was that his idol. Maggie whom he
loved with all his heart and soul. did
not seem to return his passionate attach
ment. but treated him simply as a dean
brother.
His mother does not object to his
shortening his visit, and accepts his lame
excuse good-naturedly enough. much 70
Maud's surprise; and Ernest goes back
to town. So the winter months pass
away. and the early spring sees the fam
lily in the city. whittier. also the Colonel
and Archie had repaired for the opening
sor the season.
They saw a great deal of Ernest now.
He would often come over to their >
O'Clock tea. under pretense OF hearing
all the latest news, and caring for
Maud's companion mora after every visit.
1t was a pleasant time to him; and as
the spring mellowed into summer he
would often take them to the Academy
in the cool early morning. or walk with
them in the park.
Mrs. Cholmondely began to be dread
fully puzzled what to do with Maggie
Cor 1t had never struck her before how
anomalous her position would be when
her daughter really needed no compan-
ion, and had done with governesses and
masters altogether. She had looked for
ward lately more than she had ever done
before, and she began to grow timid and
alarmed for the future.
IL only Ernest would fall in love with
some fair girl that she would be proud to
call daughter, then all might be well, and
the evil day put of. at least for the pres
rent. Maggie might be a companion for
her! and if her husband ever came from
This prison cell to claim her. WELL it was
a long way in the distance yet There
might be some means before then of max
ing an arrangement that would be sat
isfactory to them all.
But the fatal and unfortunate part Of
this prospective arrangement was that
her son declined to fall in love with each
and every one of the eligible young ladies
his mother had carefully selected. and
assured his mother. with serious ex
preston Of face. and decided shake of
the head, that he would WOO none of
them. Mrs Cholmondely had spoken
very seriously to him, and Effectionately,
too: and he had answered almost petu-
lantly, and there had been The nearest
approach to a quarrel ever snown be-
tween mother and son,
why do you wish me 10 marry in
such a dreadful hurry" he had said.
booking straight at his mother, but with
troubled gaze. >,
why do wish it. Ernest2" Mrs.
Tbolmondely had replied. with deep feel
ing in her voice Because | think you
would be happier if you had a sweet.
loving wife; because you must marry
some day. and why not now. when you
are young and beginning life?"
Il don't see the necessity Ernest had
said. quietly, almost suikily. at is one
of the curses Of entailed property that
it gives a nan no chance to do as he
pleases in ,le matter
We'll it has its bright side, too.
his mother had returned, coaxingly; for
ii you happened to fall in love with a
beauty that was portionless. you could
marry for love, pure and simple. dear.
and there are few in this prosaic age
can actually afford to do that"
And then Ernest mad turned 10 her
with a new expression on his face, and
with a trembling eageruess that was al
most painful TO see, and had said, quick
Is, going over to her. IF my future wife
We're beautiful and good. and yet was
of no family or fortune. you would give
her your blessing. and consent to our
marriage. could you not. motherI"
A dash of inspiration crosses her mind
here, and she says. calmly mad proudly.
If / approved of her family and con
nections. and it was for your happiness.
Finest, would but | would sanction no
stepping down in the social scale / be-
Iieve in caste. and l hope my son will
never present a wife to me that I can
not take to my arms with pride. and
without a blush of shame"
And very naughty and patrieian she
looks. this proud lady. as she speaks
thus to her son. So ali the cage mess has
died ont OF the young mans lace. and
the old gloomy expression replaces it, as
he prepares 10 take his leave.
Where is Maud and--and Miss Dun.
combe?" he says, presently. as he but
tons his glove "Oh. / see them out in
the square. And Archie and the Colo
mel, too. I'll just run over aud say how
dye Dc"
Ernest. Ernest" calls Mrs Cholman
dcly. gently, but he does not hear her
aud. VITA sinking heart, she hears tn,
door close behind i'm. why did | no
tell him all5' she niurmurs, tremblingly
why do l let hin rash on to his fate
in this mad fashion? Because | am
coward, and cannot bear his reproaches
but it must be told to him some day
Why not today Then she goes to tia,
window. aud sees him standing holdin.
Maggie hapd in his aud taking to hei
In a low. eager voice, Il will ask him I,
stay to dinner and then tell him til,