Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-06-21
Continued.

time. perhaps. Meanwhile-hush'
there is Mrs. Boxall'-she breaks off
as that good lady's voice is heard at
the bottom of the stairs announcing
| tea
With persons Of the Boxall class,
tea is the meal of the day-it is the
one meal which all can partake of in
mutual leisure and ease.
Mr. Boxall is one of those men who
praise be to them-"always come
home to tea" and seldom does he ar
rive without some dainty to enrich
their festive repast.
Tonight there is a dish of tea-cake,
! cold ham, and some stewed Normandy
pippins-the latter specially provided
for Carrie, who has not yet passed the
sweet-tooth age
Mr.. Boxall-who has exchanged his
city coat and boots for lounge Jacket
and slippers-greets them with his
usual smile-a smile of affection and
respect, finely cOmmingled, and draws
Carries favorite chair to the fire, as
he shakes hanis with May.
Never in all his life has the worthy
little man been so haRpy as he has
been during these past few weeks.
The mere fact of having the two
beautiful girls beneath his roof and
under his protection is a source OF de-
! light to him In the city lie holds his
head even higher than he used when
he wa confidential clerk to the great
! Il al 10 hg /.
the lookout for something to buy as a
treat for one or both of them.
For May he entertains a respect that
is as like the feuda devotion as we
can approach in these matter-of fact
days and for Carrie, golden-haired
Carrie, he cherishes a love that is
simply paternal.
If they want to repay him for all
that he has done for them. they have
only to smile and look happy and his
gratitude knows no bounds.
Tonight, as he draws Carries chair
forward, and puts another for May at
the table. where she will insist upon
cutting the bread and butter and as
sisting gene, ally, he beams more
cheerily than ever May, as she meets
his beaming smile, feels the Vicar OF
Warley's letter buIning like a coal in
her pocket.
Well. Miss Carrie" he says, rub
hing his hands, did you think | was
never coming? | ought to apologize
for being so late. I've been detained
in the city. No, I've motive been
to the West End. ana he smiles. I'm
afraid you find it very dull, Miss
May"
Dull, no." says May, cutting away
at the bread and butter.
"Oh, but you do, you know he
says. confiently-'I know you DO.
You miss things-it's natural. You
miss your horse-riding, for instance
and your music, eh?''
May shakes her head
ooh, but you do, Come now, be can
did, he says. But you Shan't miss
it long-not after tomorrow, Miss
May"
Tomorrow" asks May. smiling
across the table at him.
Yes, hn mods, with a beaming
smile Il didn't mean to say any
thing about it, but I'm a bal one to
keep a secret. I've bought a piano
for you young ladies; none of your
| German instruments, but a real Bload-
wood Oh, hope | know what is
due you, my dears?'
May puts down the knife and looks
across at MIN with something like
sorrowful regret.
ooh, Mr. Boxall!"
Mr.. Boxall rubs his hands with
keen enjoyment for her jismay.
And why oh, Mr.. BoXall?' he
says. with a chuckle. do you think
was going to let you NOPE and pine
| for want OF d little music Besides,
you needn't look so sorrowful, Miss
MAY; it's a pieceof pure seltlshness, for
it's me and the missis will benefit by
it, You can't play it witho It our
! hearing it. | hope you'll like it. They
say it's a fine tone. and you needn't
think anything of it. I've had very
good week in the city, as your poor
father used to say, and I've cleared
two ah. half-a-iozen Broadwoods.
What's the matter, Miss Carrier for
Carrie began to whimper
May goes around to him and puts
her hand on his arm-the thin, small
arm that has done knights service in
ner behalf
Il am so sorry you s ould have
done this" she says, and her lips
culver. Il am afraid you Will think us
ungrateful; but-but you will read
that Mr.. Boxall? You will not mis-
understand us, will you?" and she
puts the advertisement and letters in
his hand
With knitted brOws he reads them
reads them over twice, then looks at
her, CONSERVATION and Indignation bat
Ting for mastery.
What ne exclaims. at last. You
don't mean this? It's a joke. Miss
May" an4 he laughs but Mays sor-
rowful look Of appeal alarms him.
"What?" he almost shouts. You
you-my masters daughter, going as
schoolmistress? ?"
q was one before" says May,
pleadingly.
Know" he says But don't care
for that. That-that was before all
the money was made Now it is diff
| ferent. Oh. Miss May. you don't want
to break our hearts"
Then Mrs. Boxall comes forward
II