Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-10-11
HER pENNY'S WORTH

hlTIdil.
"1fs not an original remark" said
Howard Creighton, "but I'll take you
up"
ut may not be original" she retort-
ed. brldling, but it's better than sit
ting lie an owl, as you have been
these last ten minutes"
GIVE me the penny"
'rNot until you have delivered the
goods" she said laughingly.
'Well, to begin, / was thinking
how much ! loved you"
"You don't expect a penny for an
old story like that do you" she asked
mockingly.
at depends upon The value you place
upon true love"
II thought it was the other sort that
was valued in dollars and cents. Look
at Lettie Conover."
Miss Conoyer," he explained, "is
not purchasing love with her marriage
settlements. Her father is paying for
the privilege OF calling his grandchil-
dren by a title"
"Dont you think you have absorbed
a lot of Socialism,"
81 am not a Socialist" he defended.
81 simply detest this modern device of
seeking to bolster up n good American
name with nothing worse than hog
lard upon 1t with the uncleanly pedi-
gree of the sort of lordling who will
marry for money, clearly realizing that
a T.. ,1N 4Fn ~ ah Is
wanted"
She gravely passed him coin. 1.-THE
original thoughts were not worth the
price. This is"
He motioned her hand away. ut
would be a poor missionary who
would sell his gospel" he declared.
"Do you suggest that l am in need
Of being saved?' she demanded, color
ing.
81 hope not" was his quiet answer.
81 think you're just horrid. l never
gave Lord Carnavon any encourage
ment to follow ne home"
Creighton shrugged his shoulders
ever so slightly
'If you think that l even permitted
him to imagine
HE has no Imagination. Only an
instinct"
Howard Creighton" she stormed,
IT want you to understand that Lord
Carnavon Is a friend Of mine. l do
not permit my friends to be spoken of
In that fashion"
farThon no is a friend ?"
Nothing more" she declared hastily
"And very little of that" he finished.
'It's your money he wants
''How do you known
II happened to know he explained
to your father that he could not mar
ry unless he could first pay Off his
debts
How did you happenY she asked,
with cutting carcasm.
"Simply because your father brought
the schedule to me to find out if it were
exorbitant"
very tactfuI of father to take the
schedule to you just because you hap
pen to be his legal adviser"
"Quite natural" he admitted. "You
see, unlike Carnavon, do not adver-
tlse my love"
do you insinuate that he has beer
making me conspicuous by his atten-
tionY'
well" said Creighton mildly, ''he
only needs a license and n leader to
complete the suggestion of doglike de
votion."
She rose and turned upon him. 81
would have you understand she said
flercely, "since father has admitted you
into his confidence that am going to
marry Lord Carnavon"
II hope not" he said sincerely.
apart from all personal feelings,
should hate to see you throw yourself
away upon a man who sees in you only
a means of satisfying his creditors"
You know better than that"
81 know more than that" no correct
ed. I've loved you, Miriam, ever since
you were a child. When 1 was work
ing my way through college and law
school and your father was still fight
ing for the fortune he since has gain
ed, you loved me You love me still"
Her lips trcmbled a little, but she
made no sound. She turned away to
the window and cooled her flushed
face against the icy pane.
Il shall be rich. too, some day. Mean
while / do not demand that my wife
shall pay my debts. | want only You"
Il am engaged TO another" She
scarcely spoke above a whisper.
but you DO not love him. and you do
love me. Won't YOU send him upon his
way, dearest =
lie did not see that she was crying.
and he urged the question again. THIS
time there was only the mute surrcn-
der to his cnress. but 1t was enough 70
assure him that the decision OF Revolu.
tionary days had been repeated aud
there was another British defeat.
Carnavon was rather glad He had
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