Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-03-29

CHAPTER Kill

broad steps of the Void tolerably well,
but as they pass outside the light
thrown by the lamps, he begins to
stumble and draw long face. 1t is
not three years ago that he used to
tramp through city streets and High
bury lanes, in dark and foggy weather,
uncomplaingly but now-now he leeis
aggrieved at having to walk from the
stately Void to his own gorgeous res
idence and misses the carriage May
who has seized ! arm and clings to
it, leaving Sir Heron to Carrie, is not
much assistance. for she seems rapt
in dream. and utterly Indifferent as
10 the road.
ITS rather dark, his plant reaches
Sir Heron.
wait" sounds the grave voice be-
hind him: but May, as if she had been
commended to hurry, pulls at Mr..
Dalton's fat arm. IF you'll wait a
moment I'll go first" says Sir Heron.
Certainly-certainly! Thank you,
Sir Heron Bless my soul, May why
are YOU in such a hurry?"
1T is rather dark" says Sir Heron,
coming up with them. Suppose you
take my arm, Miss Dalton, and let US
lead the way?"
May hesitates but Mr.. Dalton, who
SIS fat and scant of BREATH" like Fal-
staff, is only too glad to exchange
Mays breaknccb pace for Carries
slower one, and gives her a gentle
push.
She just puts her inger-tips on Sir
Heron's arm, but he takes them and
gently draws them further; and, thus
Teorganized they start off afresh.
All the night is dark and still,
hushed in the embrace of soft clouds
that move, not threaten'ugly, but with
majestic peacefulnes over the
heavenly vault. Silence intense reigns
in earth ana sky, so intense that May
is filled with a fear that the wild
beating of her heart can be heard,
and, nerved by that fear, she forces
herself to speak.
How still it all isl" she says.
She feels that he has turned to her,
feels that his eyes are seeking hers,
and that they are filled with the pas
sionate tenderness which has wrought
so strange a change in them.
yes" he says and his voice is so low
that it does not reach the two plodding
on behind. "Are you in pain now?"
mo" she SAYS; sit does not pain
me unless I move it. 1t is quite mere
nothing; I have forgotten it,"
Forgotten" he says. you will not
forgct all that has passed-all that has
been said tonight?'
He feels the little hand tremble on
his arm.
You will not do that?" he says.
"Ycu-you promised to say no more
tonight"
"Did I-promise?" he says, "then
YOU must let me retrace. Why should
not speak to you? Are you angry
with me?"
MOO" family.
81 was rough and unmannerly, but
had some excuse. | was SO glad to see
you come back TO !ife-yOu do not
know how deathlfke you looked" and
he represses a shudder. so glad, so
wildly glad to near that I had made
stupid mistalSe-'
"Mistake," she echoes in low
voice
"A mistake that has made me
wreiched for days-so wretched that
might have known that loved you"
20, stopl II ought not to listen to
YOU Please stop"
"Why-whv?" he says with passion
ate eagerness; and she feels his eyes
should not tell you that love you?
Is 1t so unnatural?" and he smiles sig
nifcantly.
III is unwise," she says. "You
should not say it,
He stops for a moment, then goes
On at a quicker pace, which instantly
carries them out of sight of Err. Dalton.
"Unwise-unwise." he repeats. ut
is only unwise-and not then even
unwise-if you tell me that l love you
in vain. Is that what yOu are going
to tell me? For Heavens sake, do
not"
He cannot see how the beautiful
face Pushes and pales. or how hard it
is to keep the soft lips firm enough
to answer him.
"What does it matter what II
think?" she says, trying to speak calm
ly-"it cannot matter in the least.
You ought rot to have said what you
have said to me, and l ought not to
have listened"
He does not speak for moment,
and she feels instinctively that he,
too is trying for calm At last he
looks down at her.
"May-let me call you May-are
YOU going to send me away for whtm
n fancy, or some miserable idea? /
love you with all my heart and soul
will you make me happy. and be my
Wife,?
She looks up at him, anc her hand
tightens convulsively.
mo" she says, 81 should not make
you happy. I should make you mis-
cradle. and all your friends-
"Ah. he says, st is an idea"
Not an idea" she says. DO you
think it possible for me not to feel
that it is not to May Dalton that you
Sir Heron-should say what you
have said? If had been blind. ut
terly blind before. tonight would have
opened my eyes TO the distance that
divides not M alone h11f ours"