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


Ii is evening; the sun Is sinking
slowly behind the Wiltshire hills. and
crimsoning the htticed window of
Marley schoolhouse, where, wrapped
in ,yaceful repose. May and Carrie
spend their unevantful days; it drops
also into the murly. smoky haze OF
Log son, glittefing redly on the car
riaScs as they roll homewari from the
park, and dats the delicate. peachlike
face of Rose Vavasour, as she leans
back in Lad Letchford'a Darouche
cts rising. smiles beaming in respect
full n:4d admi,ing adieux.
1t sets. TOO on far different scene
on somber, rocky pass far away in
m -slcTious ASIA. sinking slowly. not
&c ne hum of the school children. or
the rattle aad luz of fashionahl
London life. but to the SOUND of the
huele. the cry of the sentinel. and the
dull boom of a cannon which belches
forth a flying shot across the crimson
plain.
Surely, the sun can never get tired'
The mos Unsuitable traveller and
novelty-m0nger cen scarcely envy old
Soils experience through one single
day.
Ice, snow, fiery sands. and fierce
siroccos. smiling English meadows,
voluptuous vineyards, vast rolling
prairies and wild. rugged passes, they
all fall to his days work; and his
beams, God-like, smile on fair and foul
alike. and even rs be smiles down on
an English valley j. e Marley sinking
to its peaceful repose, ne needs must
smile on the rocky pass, the grim and
sternly solemn fortress far away in
Asia.
Yes. while the languid votaries OF
fashion are tTotting home from the
Row, while English villagers are wend-
ing homewari from their days toll
the bugle winds through the aowery
plain, and the hatchery of the sentinel
rises to hush the sun To rest.
For the game which kings and en-
perors love is in full swing, and Is be.
ing played out to the dire end.
The dogs of war have teen let loose
over the land, and rapine and rayage
stalk hand in hand. with the black
vulture o. femme and disease hover.
ing over their heads.
It is hard to believe. out here in the
grim fortress in the east. hard to be
l'eye. and while the bugle rings in
one'S ears, AMI one watches the fiery
shot ana shell flying overhead; while
oHo's eyes rest onlv on armed men.
uut all the pararbernalia Of war-.hat
smoky, gay and pleasureloving London
lies so near--a bare three days jour
Ley.
But 50 It is. brief as is Ihe time
required to make the journey, the
great ci might as well be at a gears
space. so far as the public is con
c5rned, for it is surrounded by a hostile
force. shut In by a tjghtiy-drawn cord
of armed men, and as fully cut off from
he world a. II raging seas divided H.
For months the ldDelv game Of war
has horI, Going on PGoj AND treas,
u.c bp, all human calculation has
5een lsyished On the rG5al sport.
Ta~kcy lies Hee ling az the feet Of
isHss.a-alI say the wise men. is over.
"a The great, all-D0werful bear has
won tne game anu is alreaJy tear
ing is nIey.
But Tough the game Is won. there
are still some audacioUs rlayers who
refuse 70 leave the fatli table. still
cling TO their cards and decline -
acknowledge themselves beaten.
Russia uay be al the very doors Of
Constantihcpie, msv be at this mo-
msnt detailing terrHs-harI terms-Of
peace at San StefanO. but there Is still
q strong pIace mere and there which
REFUSES 70 ackuoV ledge itself beaten.
AMI Which. with the Bravery Of despair.