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


his ring-a plain, heavy gold band,
quite free from the slightest attempt
at ornament-in place of hers.
TOO large! You will have to wear
it on your thumb"
why" she says. involuntarlly, 1t is
like a wedding-ring
is it?" he replies-"all the better;
We are as good as married then! Now
put my ring on for me-"
Ard he holds out his hand
May, blushing and quiverilg, takes
the strong hand. white and sh2pely as
a Ietchfords should be, and tries the
ring on one finger after another until
she reaches the last.
"Th2t's the only one It will fit" she
says.
Poor little ring!" he says; 1T is
hart lines for it, but I'll love it better
than You ever did,
you can easily do that" she an
swers; sit is terribly ugly"
Il like ugly things" he says; and his
face goes down to hers.
But May hears Carries voice, and
then starts away
"May-May! where are your
"All right" shouts Sir Heron. 1--WE
were lost, like the babes in the wood"
BE quick" laughs Carrie, sit is be-
ginning to rain
1t is not only beginning, it has be-
gun; and the two look up at the sky
with mutual surprise
do not come any further" says
May
The light from Gresham hall was
st. canning in front of Them throwing
Carries figure as she stands in the
doorway, in boldrelief.
May l not?" he says, reluctantly.
"Win zen not let me come in--for
few minutes only?'
NO" she muTmurs
She does not want to see him group
ed with gorgeous footmen and Mr..
Daltcn-does not want to carry the re-
membrane Of her last words spoken
tonight confused with her fathers
loud voice
mo. Goodnight and she holds
cut her hand timidly.
He looks at it with feigned polite
ness, then smiles and draws her in1o
the shadow Of the trees.
Goodnight" he exclaims, watching
her lovingly. "You would send me
away with a couple of cold words
like that, and a mere shake of the
hands, Why were you made so
cruelty? Is all your heart in that
sweet little face, and those dear soft
eyes? Goodnight. Is that alp" he
says, reproachfully.
She looks up shyly, and her eyes
sink under the passi )nate earnest
ness which meets and oVerwhelms her.
Il want something more than that,
he says. do you want to send me
away miserable after making me the
happiest man in all the wide world?
Yes, the happiest! And yesterday-to-
day-this evening, event was the
most wretched being to be found from
Lands End to John o. Greats, pc sess-
I'd with the demon of jealousy. May"
, he stops suddenly. "by the way, you
haven't told me whose portrait that is
! which made me suffer such agonies."
She starts and looks down.
mo-" he says, eagerly, for during
that pause the demon had not exactly
entered into him, but had capped his
wings from afar, as it were. mo! You
are quite sure?"
quite" she says. "If you would
| like to know"
stop, No, l do not want to know
I am quite satisfied. You shall not
tell me-you shall not! If there is
some past history-well, it is past,
My life begins from tonight-from to-
night"
Oh. love, how potent art thou, Be-
| fore thee, conscience. moral courage.
duty itself fall vanquished! May is
silent, save for the speechless throb
of gratitude and devotion which ac-
| llnowledges mis- nobleness.
Yes. my life dates from tonight.
Heaven. when think how blank it
has been without you, How could
have lived. May? have lived with
out you, but | cannot do so from to-
night. You hold me in the palm of
this little hand And now wish me
goodnight properly. Shall I teach
| you h0w?"
She looks ND with a smile.
yes? First. then, say after me
| Heron, love YOU"
May shrinks with a maidenly shy
ness.
Say it-come,"
Heron love you"
! His face lights up with intense joy.
Heaven bless you, my darling!" he
says. and as he enfolds her he bends
| to kiss her: but before he can reach
her red lips. she throws her arms
around him, and with white, rapt
face, presses her lips to his and kisses
him; then. as he stands dazed for a
moment with the passionate caress
she breaks from him, and he loses her.
Carrie, still waiting for her in the
hall. stares at the flying figure as it
dashes mp the steps, and uttcrs an ex-
clamation of alarm.
Good gracious, May! What is the
matter? Where is Sir Heron?"
''Ab, yes, Sir Heron, come in" says
Mr.. Dalton, trotting out of the draw
ing room Then he. too, stares at the
beautiful face all flushed and radiant
where's Sir Heron?" he s9vs. peer