Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-04-13
CHAPTER Y


make up the eXqui lie landscape of that
famous glade. Bur ham BeeChes. 1t Is
81 wonderful contrast. this early morning
in the country, with its bracinG crisp
air. its rusting Of dead leaves and sing
ing Of birds. 10 tile fog and raw atmos-
rilere Of the early morning Of the day
before in the city
Here all seems 10 breathe content and
peace. and in 10 place more 50 than IN
this pretty brown colt &c with its bow
windows and old fashioned porch, ITS
trim little flower beds aud orchard. and
two bright little women, in old fashioned
shintz morning dresses. gathering chry-
-santhemums in the iftle slip OF ground
under the palinss, facing the road.
They go ia presently. chatting cleerily
50 each other the WHILE and arrange the
flowers in two old china vases, one on
each /. K Of the mautelpiece, aud then
sit down to breakfast.
These are George Temples maiden
annts. and this is their home. They are
as kindly and happy rs it is possible 10
NE, and they seem to live for the hap
pincss Of each other.
At some time the two sisters had had
4 brass plate on the door, with an ait-
nOuncement that it was IA seminary for
young Ladies'; but that had been long
taken off. and they were now ndepeH-
dent OF the world
1 wonder" remarks the chest, brisk
y, handing her sister her tea, If we
shall have George aud Maggie down be
Sore Christmas"
I'm afraid not. sister" returns tue
younger. shaking her head; "you know
what Maggie said in her last letter, that
George was SO worried with business. he
never seemed to have hardly an hour for
himself So l suppose we shall have to
wait till then"
"Ah Lefty. it seems only yesterday
that - had our litsle Maggie almost a
baby. | often think how strange it is
that things should have fnrned out 50
we'll
Indeed Won may we'll say that Flea
nor" says the younger sister What
could have been better for us, aud for
them, too? Instead OF losing our pet.
as We always feared wa should have
done. she narres our nephew. just as
we hoped she would; and then. in addi
zion TO all these blessings. the money
paid for her while she was with us is 90
{ De paid us oh our lives"
'Ah. we've much indeed 20 be crate
Tul for. | often wonder what Maggie's
father would have thought, had he lived
TO see her grow up, and whether lie
Would have taken her from MS"
.Ah. often think of that, too. | re
member so well the last time he came;
aud how handsome and brave he looked:
and how proudly he kissed the child. aud
called il his own little dary-hared joy.
1t Is sad to think be died so suddenly
somewhere abroad. wasn't it;'
Well. that l never could quite make
-uut. Mrs Cholmondey only just said
lie WAS dead, and that the child was to
i.emGin with us always on the same
eersAs, and she was such a grand. proud.
cold lady, that I felt afraid to ask any
questions"
We'll. perhaps IL was as we'll; partic
ularly as we might have had her taken
away from us. and that would have brok-
en- our hearts,
Indeed it would. Eleanor Heaven
bless her! Why. the house wouid have
been wretched without her; aud George
might never have turned ont the steady.
good young fellow lie is ii he hadn't got
such a good wife 10 look after him.
And then the rustic servant COMES in
with the news that Burgess is coming up
the road on bis dandy -horse. which in
deed is the case. rs the man who carries
the mails from place to place. and has
been to the city this last year SO so, has
done up and started nm old bicycle, upon
which lie rides triumphant by.
The ladies' so into the garden, in Il
-
w.stch the stalwart young postmnn as he
.b,vss SIP to III gate and throws him
self off his machine Good morning.
Burgess have you any letters Tor us?'
Two, ma ann" replies the postman,
smilingly, "both with double postage
paid. too. else you would not have got
Fem till tomorrow this time
The elder sister takes the cpistles. and
they 20 into the parlor Dne is in
female hand, the other a round. firm,
Iawyer-like hand. and 10 blue business
like envelope,
Come. my dear. open MaSgie's first
and If all IS right with her. we need rot
fear the contents Of the other"
So Maggie's poor pitiful letter is read
amid sobs and tears. and mougnful en-
braces and condolences.
It is only n few ,earful lines. stating
that George has been taken to prison
aud she can't see 20 write any more for
ihe tears that ARE binding her; and
would her dear auuts come to her NJ
once.
or course We must 40 al once" they
decided, and finding the other epiStle--
which is from the firm Of LAWYERS reg
commended by Mr. Gandcr-is 10 the
sstne effect. and strongly counselinE i'm
mediate attention TO the case. they call
up Martha. aud make immediate prtD
aratjons for their journey
And before the shadows Of night have
CLOSED in. they are on their way to their
poor troubled Maggie
CHAPTER VI.
The sisters drive To Fulham, and ar,
pat down at the pretty little house: ana
Miss Lefty pulls the he'll with jerAy
nervous manner.
Presently they are in the hall: aut
Maggie with her pale face and tearfu
eyes. Is bidding them welcome In broker
sentences
To think. dear aunt that my Gcore,
-sGOpld be guilty of such a dreadful
.erime, So dear and good rs / though
aim"
Welt. darling, we must hope for th
best" says Miss Lefty, soothiusly d"
cant help thinking there must bu mis
take somewhere. I can't think Gcors
would really do anything wrong
You know, Maggie dear. / suppose
the lawyers have written 10 us:'
No. auntje. dear-but l gave tNcr
yonr address"
You have not told us Vet what he