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

1 Jul AounQ the paper IOuSu anu lue
pencil tiresome; she even declared the
new piano was out Of tune. At half
past two she slipped quietly out of
the drawing-room. and returned in a
few minutes with glowing cheeks
and hair freshly braided. My simple
little Maggie! l felt like an ogress,
deyouring her little secret.
Sooner or later everything must nave
an end, and Maggie's suspense termin-
ated when the HOPES carriage was
seen coming up the lawn. But Mag
gie's restlessness was gone too. She
sat very pale and very still. could
almost fancy heard the child's limo
cent heart beating.
had always hoped great things
from my darling; and it is much to
say that was amply satisfied when
saw Walter. / did not idealize him as
my sister did, nor could l see any re-
| semblance to my picture of Sir
Launcelot. He was a fine, manly
young fellow, with frank, noble
face, as open and clear as the day;
man whose glance met your own
boldly, for he had nothing to hide;
and the clear, bright eyes revealed
the bright, clear soul. He had a
charming smile that lighted up his
faoe-a kind, genial smile, that it
cheered one to see, and a pleasant
voice that fell unsteady on my ear.
| welcomed him to Fernside.
think the meeting between Maggie
and him was one of the prettiest little
scenes I ever witnessed. My sisters
face glowed until it was like a red
rose. Her blue eyes fell until their
dark fringes rested on her cheek.
Walter flushed too, up to the roots Of
his hair. Then they tried to talk so
unconsciously, and got themselves
into such dreadful entanglements and
messes that l was obliged at times to
come to the rescue.
On the following day Walter came
again, with another invitation from
Mrs Hope; and after that, every day
brought him, on some pretext or
! other, to Fernside He must have ex-
hausted his imagination in finding
excuses, for every Gay brought a
fresh and very plausible one. can
see him now, standing hat in hand be-
fore me, growing red and more con-
fused every minute, while he STAN
mered out his reason for calling.
never helped him by single word.
1t was just as much as I could do to
keep my face straight, or from laugh
ing outright.
In the meanwhile the affair was
growing very serious with poor Mag
gle The child's whole life was en-
crossed in her love. If Walter
praised a song she sang it until
was fairly wearied of the melody.
What soothed my jealous heart was,
that she did not seem to love me less.
Had she done so, am afraid / should
have disliked Walter.
One morning our young hero came
earlier than usual. He asked to see
me alone; and then I knew the hour
was come in which some one else
would lay claim to my darling. / es-
teened him always; but after that in
terview / quite loved him, he was so
honest and straightforward. He knew.
he said, that Maggie had no parents
living; therefore she tad double
claim upon his consideration; and be-
fore naming his love to her. he applied
to me, her sister and gardian, for per-
mission to do so. He said plainly that
he was not very rich at present, but
he hoped. with industry and perse-
verance, to make home fit for my
darling If could intrust her to him.
.TIave you said anything of this to
my sister," l asked, looking up into
his honest, earnest face.
NO. not one word, Miss Lisle," he
answered; "she is so young and SO
: simple; I would not do so until I had
your permission"
Of course he had only done his duty,
but liked him so much for his honor
able conduct I told him frankly that
! | would give my treasure to him, but
that she was so young and so child
/ like, I thought he had better wait an
| other year before he spoke to her. /
not insist upon this, but / advised
him for her sake to wait before he en-
gagged himself to her He agreed with
me although most reluctantly, that
it would perhaps be best.
Il AM leaving Ordley tomorrow.
Miss Lisle," he said. BE charitable,
and invite me to dine with you. Think
how long it win be before see your
sister again!"
! complied gladly with this request.
You will allow me to write to her.
he said; Il promise you, Miss Lisle,
/ will not mention the word love to
your sister until you yourself give me
permission to do so. but allow me to
write to her, or she may forget me. "
I do not think there is any fear Of
that" | said; hut / see no objection
to your writing sometimes"
The rest of that day he spent with
US how happy my little Maggie was'
She put on her garden hat, to show
him her favorite trees and hooks.
Walter listened to her. and looked at
her, as though she were an angel by
his side.
In the cleaning they stood together
at the drawing-room window; and al
though Walter honorably kept his