Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-07-17
CHAPTER ].


ana my faded youth. l. was an old
story to me, those sweet tender words
whispered in the evening gloaming'
those lingering looks, half-proud, half
shv. but it was all new to them and
so full OF beauty! 1t was a story,
tie telling of which glorified their
young lives. They were so innocent
and so happy, so utterly unconscious
of the prosaic afterwards that
must follow their love-dream. The
glamour of love, the mist of falryland,
was strong upon them, and they saw
all things in its light.
It was my little sister, the light o.
my home, my child Maggie that Wal
ter was wooing; and I must tell You
how came to be mother and sister
both to the fsirhaired girl, Who was
all had in the world.
] am living now in the house where
/ was born where my mother died,
and my father drifted slowly into the
unknown land. Fernside is the name
of our home. 1t is pretty place, half
villa, half-cottage and Is about half
mile distant from the town of Ordley.
The house is low, the rooms are large
and pleasant, and the walls are COW
cred with the most glorious profusion
of flowers. The wistaria languidly
droops its lilac,tinted flowers, the
white jessamine shows its starry
blossoms, the fragrant woodbine min
giles with the bright roses, and makes
a picture of beauty of the exterior OF
Fernside. There is large garden too
in front of the house, garden plan
ned and planted by my great-grand-
father 1t is worthy of Fernside. A
row of chestnut trees, tall and stately
that when in bloom, scent the summer
air, form the boundary between the
higa road and the house. On one
side of the garden is perfect grove
OF lilac trees with their tufted flow
ers; on the other side, golden labur'
nuns droop like the tresses of sum
mer. l could not describe the glory
of fruit and flowers which abounds in
that pleasant spot. At the back Of
the house there is large kitchen gar
den and an orchard. Then the green
smiling meadows stretch far away on
to the blue hills that stand out in
bold relief under the summer sky.
Mine is a beautiful home. / would
not exchange it for palace. In the
summer mornings I am aroused by
the carol of a hundred birds; they
seem to fill the trees. / open my win
dow and hear the humming of the
bees, the distant lowing of the cattle;
still glistening with dew, and my
whole heart seems to spring with graf
itude for the beauty around me. Mo-
is Fernside less pleasant when the
Winter snow fringes the trees and
lies like thick veil Ger the coun.
try round" The wind makes wild
music then amongst the trees; 1t walls
and means, it cries and sobs. All,
then again I like to sit and read again
the story Of my life.
Twenty-Five years ago, one dull
misty morning in February-I remem-
Der well it vas Valentines day. and
was wondering whether some one
would remember me, q was Just six
teen then, and full of hope), l heard
hurried knock at my room. door.
] slowly babe the intruder enter. I
was not too pleased ar being disturbed
in my day-dream.
Miss Magdalene. said a hasty
voice, your papa wants You directly
Your mamma is very i'll"
threw on dressing gown. and
was soon at his room door. A strange
woman, who had not seen before
answered my summons. looked at
her with great surprise. Where is
papa?' | said; he wants me-"
"Hushl" said my father, coming 70
the door; do not speak loudly, .aag
dalene; your mother is very ILL.,"
He held what seemed to me a little
bundle of pink flannel in his arms
He beckoned me to follow him into
his dressing-room, where large fire
burned in the CRATE.
"Magdafene,' he said, his eyes
dimmed with tears as he spoke, here
is q little sister for you. Now re
member. / give her TO you, and all
your LIE long she must be your child
and your charge"
took the bundle from him and
opened it with great awe. There, in a
warm nest OF soft pink flannel, lay a
fair little babe, with sweet tiny
face, and the softest golden down on
its head. ! kissed the tender little
cheeks over and over again, and from
that moment, the little one found a
home in my heart that has been tc
her a haven of rest ever since.
nursed her with passionate love.
tended her all day, and at night she
slept in my arms. ! taught her t.
speak and to walk. She was the Joy
and pride of my life. Her little lips
could not manage my long name
given to me in honor of an old aunt
who remembered me in her will--shs
called me Deena, and there was nc
music on earth so sweet to me as that
childs silvery voice She was very
pretty too, with face pure and
sweet, such as they give to angels in
pictures, with large, innocent blue
eyes, that seem always full OF won
der, and dark fringes on the lids that