Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-01-18
CHAPTER |.

of snow throw the whole system into
confusion and our station is the worst
of the lot. If they see an extra port
mantead coming up the lane, they are
sent into fits Of nervous incapability.
Accidents! l wonder they don't have
an accident every hour shouldn't be
at Gil surprised-oh, no, l don't mean
that papa! but why don't she come?
Do you think the horses have fallen
down, or is it only because that horrid
train is later even than usual?"
And Carrie Dalton turns from the
open window at which she had been
standing, with flushed, impatient face
and Indignantly questioning eyes.
1t is the face Of a child-a girl,
rather. in her sixteenth year; just two
years older, by the bye. than the I'M
fortunate Miss Juliet Capuiet, Of
Verona VIXEN she married Signor
Romeo Montague of the same town
awkward, angelic sixteen.
The individual addressed as papa rs
an elderly man, short in stature,
stumpy of figure, red of face, and-as
commonplace as an English tradesmaaI
possibly could be.
"Eh-what?" he says, opening his
eyes, drawing the red silk bandana
from his bald head, and turning I'M
easily in the capacious armchair, in
which he has been having a comfort
able but by no means silent nap.
What did you say, Carrie? I was
-ahem-just dropping off to sleep,
think"
Papa" is the quiet and scornful re-
tort, you have been snoring for the
last hourl 1 was saying that tits
beastly-I mean horrid train is later
than ever. 1t is half past eight, and
May was to have been her at five min
utes to. 1t is shameful-simply
shameful"
Mr.. Dalton arises slowly, blows a
loud and prolonged blast in the ban
dana, takes out a watch of the most
pronounced fryingpan type, and slow
ly compares it with the enc nous gilt
monst. sity which stands like the
model of gaudy mausoleum on the
elaborate carved mantelpiece.
'Humph this clocks five minutes
slow [ wish James or Joseph, or one
of them. would keep it right Some
body viii lose their train some day.
May late. is she All, yes"-another
blast in the bandana- els that window
open, Carrie? There's a fearful
draught somewhere-I've caught an
other cold Carrie shut the door, my
dear"
But he appeals to unheeding ears.
The girl has heard the sound of an APP
preaching carriage, and with fiery
golden hair streaming like a meteor be-
hind her. she is flying down the steps
and around to the front drive.
Mr.. Daton goes and shuts the win
dow, takes up the Times, glances at
the market lists, lays the paper down
again. and stands before the porcelain
CRATE, with his hands behind his back,
and that expression on his face with
which he awaits an interview in the
private room behind his warehouses
in Criticized Friars.
Meanwhile Carrie bounds along the
winding path, and gains the front
steps, just as carriage, shining daz-
zingly in all the glory of varnish,
polished brass, new hammer-cloths,
and brilliant liveries, turns the corner
and dashes up to the front.
With scientific exactness the wigged
coachman pulls up the restless bays,
the long-coated footman drops down
forward with crimson face and dane
ing eyes.
"Oh, May. is it you at last?" she ex-
claims, painting.
Eyes, dear, what's left of me, says
a light. musical voice from amid the
silk Innings. and the next moment the
late arrival steps out and takes the eX-
pectant girl to her bosom.
ooh, May, I'm so glad, so glad you've
come; it seems such long-long
while and how late you arel And
was there an accident. and how did
you like the carriage. and-oh, May
how beautiful you've grown!"
She breaks off suddenly, leaning
back to stare with almost awed admir-
alton at the face above, just above
her.
May Dalton, for she Is SamueI DaE
toms eldest daughter, laughs, and
stoops to kiss the fair, flushed face,
"And how long you've grown, dear!
Do you wear stilts in this part of the
country? Let me look at your feet
Oh. nearly a long dress Good graci
ous, and I have been Ealing up the
vision of little girl il pinafore and
a pigtail waiting to see lne. Carrie, II
strikes me it's wicked - grow SC
fast"
"But-but I'm almost sue you have
grown" responds Carrie. clinging
hanging on to her arm, as they enter
the hall. "Tm-I'm sure you have'
And, oh! May, what do you think of il
all?"
May Dalton looks around curiously
and then down at the eager face with
a peculiar smile.
ITS al very grand, dear"
Grand, I should think So says
Carrie, looking pleased for moment
but the next turning her eyes on the
bright face with a half-troubled express
sion. What do you mean by grand
May. Don't-don't you like it, the
avenue-'
Most beautiful says May, quickly
as if glad to agree. "They are supert
Z ala +roor ar5 A., hos,=e tent II -othnl