Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-02-14

wet through and through"
Water has a habit of wetting you,
said Cyril grimly amused by her con
sternation.
And you've got all the way to the
farm to co.
About ten minutes walk" he said
with a smile.
Just time enough 10 catch your
DEATH said Polly, still keeping her
hand-it was very nice, plump hand
upon his arm. You must come ia
and drink a cup of hot tea with little
spirits in 1.-THE kettle is boiling. Oh,
do come in. Mr. Kingsley"
Her tone WAS so anxious and con
cerned, that Cyril who thought it
would be less fussy to accede. with a
short laugh, followed her to the cot
tage
With little futter of excitement
Polly drew a chair close to the fire
and insisted upon his sitting lown-
of course. about the most unwlse thing
she could do-and poured him out a
steaming cup of tea. She was about
to add liberal quantity of brandy,
but he stopped her by laying his hand
on her arm, at which Polly blushed
again, and said:
NO spirits, Polly, never drink
them"
Not when you are wet through,
Mr. Kingsley" she exclaimed. "Oh
but think you ought; and where
did you fall in?'
In the lake." said Cyril. con
cisely. rs your father in?"
He's down at the farm; but how
did you happen to fall in. Mr.. Kings
ley?" she asked curiously.
can accident" said Cyril more
CURLY than before.
Polly looked at him with a curiosity
positively torturlng. He was good
to look at for his face was flushed,
the short curly hair cleaned golden
in the freight, and the wet clothes,
clinging to his stalwart figure, showed
it's graceful strength and proportions.
Polly's curiosity devoured her, but
her admiration conquered.
Il wish, she said, softly, that you'd
let me send to the farm for change
of clothes"
This reused him; he was slipping the
tea abstractedly, and he rose sud
denly.
mo occasion, Polly, shall! be home
in ten minutes, and the tea has made
me as warm as toast" and he looked
round for his cap. She was holding
it to the fire where it steamed pro-
fusely.
well, If you will, you will" she
said, handing it to him reluctantly;
and do hope you won't catch cold. ="
There is little fear of that" he
said Goodnight, thank you" and
he opened the gate.
AS he did so a young man was coming
down the lane whistling. 1t was Ed
ward Young,
His whistle ceased as suddenly, at
sight OF Cyril Kingsley and Polly, as
if some one had thrust a cork in his
mouth, and, instead of coming straight
on, he stopped and turned into the
hedge.
His face grew pale, too, and he set
his teeth hard as he saw Polly bend
over the gate and wave her hand with
most tender smile and blush.
Cyril neither looked tender MOI
blushed as he walked along, and when
he came up to where Edward Young
was standing, he gave him good-even
ing; but Edward stared fiXedly at
him, and merely muttered something
in the bottom of his boots apparently
What's the matter with him p
thought Cyril. carelessly, and STROBE
on.
When he reached the farm he found
Mrs. Tibbett waiting at the door, witt
her hand up to her eyes to shield
them from the sunset, and, to use hel
own expression, her heart in hei
mouth. A rumor had reached her
lying, as rumor generally does, thai
the young manager was drowned
on, Mr.. Kingsley" she exclaimed
clutchlng him in her anxiety. Where
have you been, and what have yot
done? Wet to the skin, too Oh
dear, oh, dear"
Don't be alarmed, Mrs Tibbett," he
said, with a smile. I've been having
a bath, I'll go upstairs. Why bles:
my heart" for all the children camt
rushing at him as if to welcome hin
from the Jaws of deTh anyone
would think l had been endangerins
my life"
And that's what you have been 90
ing" exclaimed Mrs. Tibet. We've
heard all about it. You've saveC
dear Miss Leolas life"
He started and his face grew hot.
Nonsense" he said, almost hastily
Lord Beaumont think that's hi.
name-fell into a ditch. and l pulle5
him out. and with the first touch o
irritableness which Mrr. Tibbett hat
seen him show. he trudged upstairs.
Mrs. TibbeJt hustled about, anC
aired clea,. clothes for him, and lait
them at his door; but Cyril Kingsley
seemed in no hurry to avail himself 0
them.
Indeed he did a second unwise thinl
hat evening. for he sat down in I
chair beside the window, and leanin.
lis head on his hand stared across thu
7-.-- 90 ,L, trhav for fu1l ion m in