Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-08-09

isn't he?"
YES, rather" says Carrie, calm
ly. Poor boy, he is terribly in love
am obliged to be sharp with him OF
else he would be too absurd. ] had
to shut him up. as he calls it. today
and tell him there would be one face
n the church so perfectly lovely that
no other would be looked at"
Whose is that?" asks May, alb
sently.
Carrie stares.
ooh, mine, of course" she says
Thens he looks at Mays dreamy eyes
with covert earnestness. you seem
very busy, May?"
May starts.
Yes, was thinking. What is there
for me to do? Give me some of those
rosettes?"
Nary one" says Carrie, putting
them out of her reach. Finish your
letter"
4 have" says May. Poor sgd;
What would give if he were here.
And We don't know even whether he
viii get his for months"
Carrie pauses for a moment.
Are You going to fret about Syi,'
she says. when we have just heard
that he is safe and sound and was
never happier in his life? Besides,
who knows how soon he may be here
/ THAT stupid fort can't hold out forever
and then he will get leave and come to
us like an arrow from bow. Fancy
MAY! Captain Dalton!"
| Mays face lights up in a moment
Dear Syd," she murmurs. Il knew
we should have to be proud of him
.th.' and she signs, eff he were but
| here
Then thered be a fight between
him aud Mr. Boxall who should give
you away Dear old Boxall, I'll be
bound ne is enjoying himself tonight
at the vicarage. | told Graham to be
sure and get him plenty of cigars and
some Undergraduates It's the best
/ fun In the worll TO see them together
Graham so meek and eager to be
friendly. and old Boxa1l so anxious tc
impress him wIth the idea that, In
marrying poor papa's daughter he Is
contracting an alliance with princess
of theb lood And the best of ii is
Graham quite falls in with that view
If ever a man was in love that unfortu
nate man is! May. if you dom
worship him. If you don't adore hin
passionateIy, viii never forgive you,
IGrahams the best man on the EARTH
May looks up, faint color coming Il
her face.
| Yes" she says, simply.
There's the last" says Carrie, fling
ing the rosette into the basket. Now
what next? What's the tie? Half-past
eight. They will be here in half ar
hour Oh" ami she stretches out
her hands in dis there isn't such
a thing as cigar or drop OF whiskj
/ in the house"
May arises and pushes her gently
out OF the room. with a little laugh
~All right abe says; "I'll explain
to Mr.. Boxall that you We -moked and
drank them all
Carrie goes out and bound. mp the
stairs. singing. and May goes. back tC
her chair AMI falls into her DID atti
tIde.
Tonight. as the hours ily by and
carry her toward the allimportant day
sense OF unreality takes possession
OF her. which not even the mass OF
white satin on the chair beside hef
can dispel
Try as she will. her thoughts, like
hoe-h2ing birds. speed back to the
woods of Letchford Woli; the hand.
some. haggard face of the man who
loved and left her arises before her
like haunting vision; his voice rings
In her ears.
Once or twice toni ght. as the dreamy
abstraction grew strong upon her, she
could almost feel the touch Of his lips
upon hers, as they chung In that first
passionate kiss And it has needed all
her strength of mind to keep her from
springing up with wild cry of sor.
rowful despair.
It is only by repeating to herself the
very words Carrie has used that she
can d.7pel the haunted phantom OF the
past.
THE best man ON earth" Yes and
the MODEST, is TIC man she is 70 mar.
~ on the morrow.
For all her outward calm. her heart
beats fast. her head burns. and her
hands would be restless If she did not
Keep them fastlocked.
With an effort she rises and takes
up the wedding-dress.
Yes. she will have done with the
past. and all its haunting memories!
Safe in the love of such a man as
Graham Gordon. she viii be happy
happy!
With nervous hands she folds the
dress, mad, smiling at the litter on the
table, makes an attempt TO put it
straight.
O}erneai Carries light footsteps
patter eheerful,y, het voice floating
down to the tune OF Young Lochln
var"
! In a few moments her lover will be
here. handsome and eager and dt,
voted What q fate is hers, To be
worshipsG by such a mani
Yet. even as ne thinks. that other
face rises before her, her hands drol
TO her side. and she stands staring
with dreamy eyes at the vision Of that