Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-06-21

the look in her eyes. You, Who know
her, cannot deny that that is true"
"A good girl, she repeated slowly.
"Ah, that's the question, Not in the
way you reckon good in your parts,
maybe. Your good girls obey their
parents. and work on the farms, and
go to church regularly every Sunday
They marry one of the laborers, and
work for the childen, and put by a lit.
tie money in the bank. From the time
they are bern until the time they lie
there's never a sin they can lay to
their charge. except being a bit sharp
some times and letting their tongues
get the better of them. Real good
women you say; and So they are, bu;
they have no temptation to be any,
thing else. When you spend your life
among fields AMI flowers, and have lit.
tie children TO love and care for there's
i. rot much of doing wrong.
But we are not all like that Look
at me! | never knew what it was to
have a home My father and mother
were in the profession. and was ON
the stage doing children's parts before
/ could speak. We travelled about the
country, from one lodging house to
another, fasting or feastue as luck
turned and we were IN and out of an
engagement. BY the time | was Is
I knew more of the world than your
old women do when they die; and it
was not beautiful world we lived in.
Then my parents died, and l was left
alone. If l told you the story of the
next few years you would not think
was a fit companion for your future
wife; but remember, things that
seem terrible to you have been mat
tiers of course to me all my life
81 was only a child, and no one had
taught me better. | didn't feel as if
I was doing wrong | was young and
pretty and fun of spirit. and getting
"a well with my work. When / was
20 l played leading parts and drew a
good salary. My luck then began to
change. | had a had accident while
playing the part of fairy in a panto-
mime and was laid up for months.
When at last l was able to be about
again all my old spirit seemed to have
gone, and my beauty had begun to
fade.
Il danced and sang while my heart
was breaking, and painted my face to
/ look fresh and bright. Jared not
even cry, for it would stain my eyes.
used to think could bear it bette9' if
had a little home of my own. and
could keep my troubles to myself. . .
l seemed to grow old ali of sudden,
AMI to long for rest"
She was silent. leaning her head on
her hand, while Will moved restlessly
on his chair, full of sympathy for her
troubles. yet, manlike. unable to ex-
press it.
q never really recovered frr-1 that
accident" she continued My hCelth
seemed to have gone forever and l
was always ailing. One winter ! was
in a hospital and lady came to see
me ana talked religion She meant
to be kind, but couldn't take it in.
She sail God was good and he's been
good enough to her, as any one could
see. But I thought of my own life,
ard of 9, age coming on, and health
gone anu no one TO care for me and
it seemed as if my heart closed right
up, and I couldn't believe it.
But she read the bible to me. and
prayers and hymns; and somehow
they made me feel as if. any way, God
wouldn't Judge me harshly, for if I'd
done wrong I'd done it in Ignorance,
and some of his commandments I'd
| kept without ever knowing what
was doing DO unto others as We
would that they should do unto you.
l could lay it to my conscience that
! I'd never let a fellw creature want
while l had siXpence that l coul !
share. or spoken an unkind word be-
! hind her back, or missed the chance
OF doing her a good turn
Il never knew there was any credit
in that, and I was glad TO think l was
not all bal. though it's hard for wo-
men like me to be good in your sense
of the word.
MY dear. take my advice, and go
| home and think no more of Nellie
We're, or any girl like her. She is not
the wife for you. You are only laying
up disappointment in dreaming of such
thing. Go away. and I'll tell her
what you've said. She will never marry
you. hut she viii be grateful to you all
the same Women love to be Lowell,
and she has none tot much of 1t in her
| life. Think of her kindly as a girl
who has given you a bit of pleasure,
and never. never as a wife"
viii Braithwaite strengthened him
self suddenly, and his eyes flashed
Nay" he said firmly, Il am not that
sort. / don't give up so soon as that
The more she needs me, the more l
want to help. II she had been strong
and prosperous ] should not have
Jared think of her; it was only when
knew she was in want that ] made up
my mind to speak. And don't you
see all that you have toll me
makes me long for her more than
ever. Unjust save her from it! If there
are dangers about | must protect her
I'll love her all the more be-
cause she needs it so badly
The woman covered her face with
her hands, and gave a quick gasping
sob.
"Ah, you good fellow" she cried
brokenly. You good fellow! 1t
makes one almost believe in Col to
meet man like yu. Il you can be so
loving perhaps he. too But o. !ts n