Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-07-18

CHAPTER XXI.


empty milk-cans and apple baskets
one of those exasperating trains
which provided the travelling Yankee
to declare that if the eugine-driyer
would be kind enough to pull up he,
the Yankee, would get down and walk,
as he was in hurry
OF course there was no convey
ance to meet him, and buttoning his
coat, for a strong, keen, east wind
was blowing, he ran down the steps.
BY the time he had reached the
farm gate his brow was black as
thunder with anger and bewilderment.
He swung the gate back and strobe
into the house. One of the dairy
maids, who was making butter, set
up cry of dismay at his appearances
and fed.
The shout caused Mrs. Tibet,
who was at work in the kitchen, to
turn round, and at sight of Cyril,
standing amazed in the doorway, she
dropped into a chair and began to
cry and rock herself to and fro.
Cyril stared at her with an angry
frown.
What in the name of Heaven, is
the matter?" he demanded, wiping
the perspiration from his brow
"Oh. Mr.. Cyril, and you've come
back" sobbed Mrs. Tibet, not with
out a sigh of relief
Come back OF course have"
said Cyril. What is there wonder
full in that? Why do you all look
at me as If had risen from the
dead? What does it all mean?'
oh, Mr.. Cyril, dear, how could
you?" sobbed Mrs. Tibet.
How could I-what?" growled
Cyril, taking off his overcoat and
finging it on a chair. For Heavens
sake leave off crying, my good WON
an, and explain yourself! What has
happened? Is"-and his face paled
-"is-anyone iIl?"
Mrs. Tibet burst into renewed
sobs.
I'll, of course she is" she rea
sponded Indignantly, and no wonder.
It's enough to be the death of anyone
to think as you should have gone and
done such a thing-you, as we were
all 80 fond of and looked up to. oh,
dear oh, dear"
Cyril bit his lip.
DO you mean that-that Lola
Miss Dale-is ill?' he said, reaching
for his coat again.
Yes, very i'll, dear young soul
Stop, Master Cyril; it's no use your
going up to the Abbey" for Cyril had
strobe to the door instantly. It's h
strobe to the door instantly. It's no
use your going You wouldn't see
her. l doubt that they'd let you go
into the house at all Oh, dear"
Cyril came over TO her and put his
hand on her shoulder am afraid he
gasped it rather roughly.
Woman he said, sternly, don't
you see that YOU are driving NE mad,
Can't you speak out, and tell me what
has happened"
'-Oh. Master Cyril, dear, how can
yor ask me, you as know more than
we do How could you go and break
my dear young lady's heart? You that
she-I mean e-were 50 fond Of, and
for tnat impudent, forward jade, too,
I shall go mad" groaned Cyril
"Of whom are yQI talking? What Is
that you say I have done? Come,
answer these questions, or hold your
tonguel"
ooh, Mr. Cyril, dear, don't be 50
stern with me-" sobbed Mrs Tibet.
1--WE stood up for you through It all
till the letter came; Mr.. Cyril, it's Of
no use your looking at me so. Miss
Leola-everybody knows all; you'd
much better have stayed away You'd
much better go back to her"
Go back to whom
ITO that bold, wicked Polly Mars
den" sobbed Mrs. Tibbatt.
"What?" shouted Cyril, shaking
poor Mrs. Tibet. What in Heavens
name, do you mean? What do know
about Polly Marsden, you insane
woman"
Mrs. Tibet stared up at him with
mingled misery and Indignation.
"Oh, Mr. Cyrili" she cried Il don't
think you'd be so brazen, with me at
ASdSts W uti Z II @iC. " no 0ASnL ~
know better j n you, that ran away
with her-the de"
'I-ran-away with Polly Mars
dem" repeated Cy-il, in wild
amazement, Gracious Heaven, You
must be mad Why, isn't she at
home here in the viIage?"
Mrs Tibet stared openmouthed.
"In the village? No. she is whore
you took her. Mr.. Cyril"
Indeed" said Cyril, his Jyos fash
ing ominously. And SO it is gen
orally believed that I have run away
with Miss Polly Marsden, is it? And
pray, why have you fixed upon me so
especially-will no other man in the
place suit you?"
His sarcastic scorn frightened Mrs.
Tibet, and she began to cry again,
but rather more doubtfully.
Looking up at him as be stood
there, all aglow with righteous indig-
nation and conscious innocence, he
eally looked incapable of the thing
laid to his charge
what else was we to believer" she
said Didn't she so up by the last
train with your"