Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-01-20

les OlShy any WOAldu 10 hpAOAcu
when an honest love is offered TO her.
know yours is such-I am sure you mean
truly what you say, and it makes me the
more sorry, Tor indeed | do like you very.
very much, Dick, only"
Only not in the only way | want TO
be 'ikedp interrupted Dick, gloomily.
No. 1t is kindest to be plain with
you, just now, Dick. / wish l could re-
turn your love--I do, indeed. But can
notr'
Never. Marcia? Never? would
wait any time, do anything, for just the
smallest hope" pleaded Dick humbiy,
searching for one CLEAN of comfort.
Marcia could not keep back the tears
Of pity, his manner was so touching and
earnest, so different from headlong
Dicks usual needless fashion. She put
her handkerchief to her eyes, and sob
bed. Il could not give it, Dick"
| We'll! Don't rry, please don't." said
| Dick I'm not worth crying over. It's
only the answer | expected. anyhow.
! don't blame you, Marcia. not in the least
| You've shown me a hundred times that
was not your choice, only wouldn't see
it. nay l ask one question, Marcia 2"
"Certainly."
Are you engaged to lie DruT
ooh, no, Dick; no, indeed! l never
want to be engaged to him or anybody; l
shall never marry, but stay with papa
and always take care of him"
Dick laughed again, a short, mirthless
laugh, not pleasant to hear.
IAN old maid, en-? Think l see you
at it. There would be several objections
to that, fancy"
Hadn't we better go back to the par
Tor? They will wonder why we stay so
long" said Marcia, gently, anxious to
end the painful interview.
set was just forming for quadrille.
Marcia took a place in it, but Dick soon
disappeared from the room a second
time. And while music and dancing
went on SO merrily below, poor Dick
might have been found in his own cham
Der, seated at his table, his arms folded
upon it, his proud head bowed upon
them, weenirg IKE a child for the love
which could not be his.
Some one besides Dick disappeared
from the parlor that evening. There
was a call for music and Myra was
wanted with her guitar, bat Myra could
not be found.
Il think l saw her in the hall a mo-
ment since. Iwill find her directly" said
Mr.. lie Dru. Ever ready to oblige, he
made his way through the hall, out to the
front verandah.
A group of the negroes. In holiday
dress, were gathered there, watching
through the open windows the revels of
their beloved white folks"
Lima, the pretty mulatto maid of the
,pGtia iriG apnrpaahaI md aolr aT
is you lookin' fur somebody, Marse lie
Dru" She made him swift sign and
said. in a low voice, 'In the garden, sir"
"Ah: Thank you. Linap said Mr.
Louis, SHd quietly running down the We
randall steps, he went toward the garden
in haste to bring Miss Myra to sing.
Sam was among the negroes, waiting
for a chance to get near Lima. As soon
as he was so favored, he made her low
bow and said, softly:
Miss Leslie, would it be acceptable
TO you TO take a short promenade in the
moonlight dis ebenin'T"
why, ! doesn't care ef l does" an
swered Lima, tossing her pretty head CO.
quettishly, until The coral eardrops Myra
had given her twinEIed again. But l
has to be back in de house by supper
time"
Lima took his arm. offered wish an la
Louis flourish. and they strolled int the
garden as self-satsfed as any OF Il cir
white compeers. Beneath a dropping
catalpa tree they paused for little.
shall you be to home aSunday night,
Miss Lesle?" asked Sam.
II reckon shall, Mr. Douglas"
Den | will take dat opportunity OBJ
payin' you a call"
Suddenly the low murmur of voices
reached their ears. 1t came from a
honeysuckle arbor near by, and n glance
showed them Myra and Louis sitting
close together upon the rustic bench
within.
Let us so furder down an not 'sturb
EN-" said Lima, quickly, moving away
from the catalpa tree. Sam followed her
before they had been perceived by G
couple in the arhor
Il wonder which Marse Lo Dru gwine
70 marry. your Miss Marshy or my Miss
Myra?" observed Lima, making the coral
cardrops twinkle again.
Il doesn't know oh his payin ten
tious to Miss Myra," said Sam.
oh he walk in de woods wild her
mos cherry day an sens her notes an
t'ings lie done slip a note in p,y 80
dis berry ebenin an / TUX it upsta rs TO
her an her eyes all laugh when she
read H."
Now, doesn't half like dat" said
sam. obviously.
why, what you tink. sam? Marse
lie Dru not mean no harm"
Il don't 90 fur to say he does. chile,
Morse lie Dru berry fiji gemmen--bcry
fine. deed. But | doesn't believe in pay
in court to mo den one young lady TO
onct. You knows l doesn't. Lina"'
NO more does l, Sam. but you an
me hadn't hcttah be talkin' bout dem
what's 'hovc us. Wese jcs' keep dis
hlur To uursclbcs"
\ full hour after he left il Mr. Louis
reappcared in the parlor with Myra on
his arm.
Il failed 10 find the truaut until
moment since he said, looking around
with his usual courtly grace,
While Myra in answer to MagGie's
quick question. why. whore have YOU
been, child:' answered. iaurhinsly:
"Oh, ! was So unfortunate as 20 rip
the lace iIouuee of my dress. 50 had 10
run upstairs and fix IL. The task proved
+ longer than | expected, and SO | found
T Mr.. lie Dru searching for me when
came down"
Mr. Louis brought Myras guitar. gal
lantly throwing the blue ribbon around
! beer soft neck Then he retired. and de-
voted himself "a Marcia for the rest OF
the evening.
S'HANTER Y.