Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-07-25
THE FATE OF A BACHELOR GIRL.
BY Anna George.


come to Ray Desmond, and, half real
izing what it meant, half shrinking
from the decision she must make,
her past life swept before her while
she listened to the old, old story-the
life of 'bon camaraderie," of uncon-
ventionai hours and meals, of rapid
expeditions in any and every direc-
ton, and OF hard work. it is true, but
work which she loved. And in ex-
change the deep. low tones of the
mans voice in her ear, offering her
ease and pleasure the probable dull.
ness of domesticity, and last. the
love of man who knew wha. love
meant.
Darling" he whispered. are you
afraid? want you now and al ways.
Say Yes, sweetheart cannot give
you up
Again the silence, while the man
looked down at the slight figure in
gray leaning against the mantlepiece.
and Eis face grew stern and white as
he waited for his answer
1T is love. love, love that makes
the world go round!' And yet the
girl had fought so hard to reach her
goal. Was anything worth giving i,
all up for now?
Il can't" she said at last.
And the mans lips frightened as he
looked down at her.
Why not? At least l may have a
reason"
Tue tone, more than the words,
stung, and the color famed into her
face, as with equal brevity she an
swered:
1T is not good enough"
Thank you! That is quite sufi.
Client and 1 can only express my re-
grets."
You do not understand me-"
Pardon me. l think your mean
ing is quite clear am only sorry
for the stupidity which prevented my
seeing before what you have so clear.
ly explained"
at is not what you offer me, but
what I must give up"
Il imagine it comes to much the
same thing. Whatever It is, the re-
suit is the same It only remains
to say good-by, and to go our respec-
tive ways"
His voice choked a little over the
last words. and his brown eyes had
lost their brightness. For a moment
he touched her hand, and then she
alone listening drearily to the
departing footsteps.
The May sunshine flooded the pref
| ty room, resting lovingly on the big
bowls of flowers standing wherever
space could Be found for them, ana
shining on apers-papers every
where Resting, too, on the soft,
brown fufiness of Rays hair, and the
small foot which tapped restlessiy as.
she sat lost in a dream.
Three years ago she had set her
heart on being a writer, and for three
years she had fought not only for
success, but against that web of con-
ventionality with which girls in her
| position are fenced in; against the
petty social laws in which her moth
| err so delighted and which faced Ray
at every turn. She had won her
laurels at last-a permanent post on
the staff of a paper. a recognized posi-
ton among women who write, and as
much society of the kind she most
enjoyed as she had time for. The
exchange, as she had said, seemed
hardly good enough.
The life of a lawyers wtfe-a Mrs.
Nobody with no individuality and
nothing to do, every interest given up
for the sake Of one man who had but
few months come into her life. Ana
yet, deep down there. lurked an I'M
comfortable suspicion that the man
might have been worth it. after all.
And do you really know him, Ray
Couldn't you send him card for my
party next week." asked Mrs. Des-
mond. Rays pretty sister-in-law, as
she sat in the most luxurious Of arm
chairs. slipping her tea and looking
up at Ray who had dropped in on her
way home one afternoon.
Il knew him five years ago" said
Ray dreamiIy; but, of course, he
was an ordinary individual then. No
body dreamed that he would become
famous in those days"
That is always so tiresome, muir
| INJURED Mrs. Desmond. "If we could
only know beforehand which OF ones
! friends win become famous we would
never lose sight of them until 1t
came of. You really might send
him a card, though, Ray Every
one is talking of his wonderful sue
cesses. and | have my sister Nelly
up for her first season, and she Is
longing to see him"
Give me the card" said Ray
shortly. I'm send It."
Mrs. Desmond's party was as crowd
ed as her parties usually were, and
there about - O'Clock Ray found her
self, to her own surprise. Dances
were not much in her line, but wish
to see again the only man who had
| ever come between her and her work
nj 49,, -. gloomy opd bNpeS of EhN