Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-07-19

No says Vane
Parks stands and looks at the table,
gloomily.
Il thought he'd be done with all this,
Mr.. Vane. he says, net complainingly.
bat resretfully. Sir Heron has
seemed 50 much better in health and
spirits lately"
Don't alarm yourself. Parks" says
Vane, he has lost the train, or stop
ped another night You fret like an
old woman, my good fellow"
Parks shakes his head.
you don't know Sir Heron as we'll
IS l do, begging your pardon, sir;
am always anxious now. | see him
sometimes, sir. when he doesn't
know I'm in the room. and | don't
like the looks of him There's some
thing on his mind. Mr. Vane."
$50 there is on most of our minds,
my good Parks" says Vane What
weighs most on my mind is the fact
that there is nothing in my pocket.
We've all got some skeleton in cup
board; by the way. have you got a
small bottle of ppmmery in that cup
board? this kind of conversation is
exLa listing"
Parks. who thoroughly understands
| Nj. Vane VayasCur, opens bottle OF
champagne am Vane sips Il languidly.
Ten YOU what it is, Parks" he says,
this wedding will be the death of me,
When it is over I shall retire 70 a
/ lunatic 9svlum to recover my balance
of mind SINE people like Heron and
Miss Navasour are TOO much for me.
Hush, sir, There is Sir Heron,
and Parks, whose ears have been more
intent on the stairs than on Vane,
opens the door.
/ 1t is Heron. Heron. enveloped in
an ulster. splashes of mud upon his
riding CATERS: his face white and hag-
gard his eyes wild and wearied.
He comes in. and pauses suddenly
At sight Of Vane. then crosses the
room and stands before the fire.
"Halloa," says Vane, HeIc you
are al last Where have you been
Is anything the matter?" he adds,
staring NJ at the haggard face.
MATTEL 10 tdNT ~ ~ - " AANN
should be The matter Parks. brings
me something t" drink.
Parks opens another bottle OF POM
merry, and pours out glass, then,
with an anxious stare at his masters
face, noiselessly and reluctantly leaves
the room.
Heron takes up the glass, and Vane
4,n.r,ahInc fh q 4
the wine shakes over the brim.
Can he have been drinking?" he
thinks.
Heron drains the glass and sets it
down, then takes off his ulster and
drops into a chair. looking around the
room with a vacant stare.
Vane watches him for minute in
silence. Intimate as he ls with his
brother-in- law-elect, there are times in
which it ie best to leave him 10 him
self, and this is one of them.
At last Heron seems to remember
him.
Have you been waiting long?" he
says.
NO" says Vane, mot long. l have
just left Gretnor; he wants us TO 70
down to Richmond on his coach.
Rose"
Heron starts tc his feet anu PAGES
up and down the room. then he stops
and locks down at him.
81 cannot go; do not wait for me. l
am tired"
where have you been?" asks Vane.
You look as if you had seen ghost. :"
y smile. bitter and mocking, breaks
over Heron's face.
so | have. he says.
What on earth do you mean?"
No matter" says Heron, YEARLY.
you say Rose is going with Gretnor
Will you make my excuse?-tell her
that have only just got back, and
am tired Va e, how long does it
want to the wedding?'
Vane looks up with rather a sullen
flush.
;" Pom my word. you are the last man
to have forgotten" ne says
Forgive me-" says Heron. six
weeks. is it not? am not fit to show
up todav-not fit to be seen in decent
/ society"
vane gets up and looks at him
gravely.
Look here. Heron" he says, you
are all wrong again. What promised
/ has come true. The pace has told uT-
or YOU. The hanging about town is
playing the deuce with you. Why
don't you get away for a few weeks. I
! dare say Rose would manage 90 do
witout you. Get away over to Paris
TO Jericho, if you like-any place where
you can be quiet"
Quiet" repeats Heron, with a bit
ter laugh. Quiet Your prescrip-
1 ton is Door one. my dear fellow.
don't want quiet. i loathe IT,
Well say. i2aa with MS charm
/ inc caLdor, it seems ~ me that you'll
have a pretty long spell of it in the
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