Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-04-05
Continued.

May"
Bless my soul, why couldn't you
10th say so, them" exclaims Mr. Dali
ton; "how did it occur2"
In the picture room," explains Car
RE, "a piece of armor fell-whv. May p,
what ring is that?"
May snatches her hand away, but
Carrie is too quick.
May, it is Sir Heron's ring! saw
him wear it tonight"
"Hush!" says May; but Mr.. Dalton's
ear is too quick.
Whats that? Whose ring? Sir
Heron'ss What on earth"
Then he stares at Mays face, and
his own grows white with hope and an
ticipatory triumph
"Why-why don't you speak?" he
says; did Sir Heron give you this
ring?"
Yes" says May.
Mr.. Dalton sinks into his chair.
May" gasps Carrie, with wide
open eyes and mouth
May turns to her, and bending down,
kisses her.
You shouldn't have spoken, dear
she says; but it is true. Sir Heron
has asked me to marry him."
Mr.. Dalton springs from his chair,
and stands gasping like FISH. then
slowly his face Pushes, and he finds
speech.
ASKED YOU to marry him. Is it
true? That isn't'-with a spasm of
fear-"this isn't one of your old prac-
teal jokes?"
Then seeing that Mays face is full
of earnestness, he takes her in his
arms, and-well. not exactly cries
but sobs and cries with proud emotion:
God bless you, my dear child. This
IS the proudest moment of your old
fathers life! Sir Hern--you-yOu
will be Lady Letchford, May. | al.
ways knew your heart was in the right
place. and that you'd be an honor to
your family Lady Letchford! Bless
my soul! ani-and-let me look at the
ring Well-well! ET-er-Carrie-
reach me the soda water and brandy"
And quite overcome he sinks into the
chair Lady Letchford!" he NUT
ters: Lady Letchford," tnen he
laughs and mods knowingly It's a SUR
prise, | know, but no such a surprise
as you think" ne says, patting her on
the back. II saw it coming! l knew
which way the wind was blowing, and
-ha. hal think l gave it a helping
hand tonight Yes. you played your
cards we'll. May, admirably, and it
does you credit Lord! there isn't
girl in the county-uot the best born of
them all-that won't envy you. Hun
dreds have set their cap at him, and
my daughter has beat 'em-beat EN-"
and he thrusts his hands into his
pockets and laughs. But, mind" wag-
ging his head playfuly at May, who
stands striving hard to keep the con-
tempt and disgust from showing them
selves on her eyes and lips, but mind,
Your father gave you a helping hand.
| always said I'd back you up, and
old it let it right out plain and
straightforward, and l am right;
there's nothing like putting things
straightforward"
What do you mean?" says May. in
low voice.
why, my dear, | fiatter myself
brought things to a head for you to-
night. | wasn't going to let them
think that they was going to make a
bad bargain of it. Don't tell me these
swells don't care for money. l know
better; it is natural. Everybody likes
money Why. half the people marries
f,y nd nv ehnJIH thnCp
Letchfords refuse it?''
"Well?" drops like piece of ice
from Mays lips.
well. my dear, won't you sit down?
Sit down, my dear. Carrie. get your
sister a chair
May waves her hand impatiently.
We'll. my dear, when me and Sir
Heron and Mr., Vavasour was alone
sittin' comfortable over our wine, |
spoke straight out, and | told 'em that
# nv daughter married well I'd do the
andsome thing. oh, l had my eyes
on Sir Heron-he's a deep 'un. he is.
There he sat with his legs stretched
out as if he wasn't listening, but when
] out with it plain, and said, I'd give
you married to my liking, | saw him
jump as if he had been shot. Mind |
! knew the Letchfords were rather
snort just now-I had it from their |
agents. or else shouldn't have opened !
my mouth so wide. But that's my mot |
to-bid high If you've set your mind
on the lot-bid high. and they'll knock |
il down al once. You've done your
part like-like a good girl, my dear; I
but it was the forty thousand pounds /
that clinched it. depend upon it,
With white, set face, and anguished /
eyes. May looks down at him; then /
suddenly her hands go up to her face,
and she bursts into a storm Of passian-
ate sobs
BLESS my soul! exclaims the
father. what's the matter now?-
what have done?"
"Oh. papa" says Carrie through her
tears. why did you say that? Don't !
you see?"
Hang me il / do" is the instant re-
spon-e. eTu;-tut What on earth
-, Bless my soul! OF all he extraori /
binary GIRLS
Mays tears cease before she reaches +
her own room. ana the warm radiant /
light slows in her face and beams in !
her ewes asains as Carrie. who has
g,