Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-07-31


Walter" said. quietly, do not I'M
nerve me; if give way, We shall
lose our last chance.
He raised his face then, and said he
would help me in all that he could
that he should remain until-ah, he
could not finish that sentence, nut 1
knew he meant until the end came.
returned to my dreary watch. It
struck me that the dear voice was
growing fainter and weaker: she
whispered now, and that had to me a
far more dreadful sound than the in
eessant talking.
That night Walter told me the story
of their little quarrel. How trivial
s.ii,i foolish il seemed. And now that
she had drifted so far from US. he
told it to me with a broken voice;
and more than once his eyes were wet
with tears
They were walking on the road TO
Ordley, when Charley Steele. the son
of my old friend, overlook them.
Charley had always admired Maggie
very much in friendly quiet sort of
way. He came to see us sometimes.
He had cultivated voice, and was
fond of singing; and it was no unusual
thing for him to bring new duet to
try over with my sister. Poor boyi
he had no more thought OF love for
her than he had for me. On this par
ticular day Charlie overlook the lovers
as they were on the Ordley road.
After few words of introduction, he
told Maggie he had a beautiful new
duet of Glover's and asked if he might
come down on Monday evening, and
try it over with her. She was pleased
at the idea, and said yes" He
passed on then; and Walter, with a
slight twinge Of jealousy, asked who
on earth was Charley Steele.
do you not remember him, Wal.
ter?" she said. He was at Mrs.
Hopes ball"
NE" replied her lover. abruptly.
Il saw only one face there, Maggie,
and that was yours. This young man
seems to visit your house great
deal. Is there anything very attract
i've in him."
YES" she said with a frankness
that might have disarmed his jeal
ousy; I'VE are both very fond of him;
he sings so beautifully"
Walter walked on most Indignantly.
1t was the first time he had been
jealous.
Maggie" he said, harshly, promise
me you win not sils with Charley
Steele again"
She opened her blue eyes in wonder,
my poor innocent darling! She knew
nothing of jealousy; she thought her
lover was cross and unreasonable. ]
am sure if she had known it was be-
cause he loved her so much, that he
did not hike the thought Of any one
else singing with her, she would have
complied with his request, however un-
reasonable it might appear.
Il cannot promise that, Walter,
she replied, gently. why should I?
1t would seem so vers rude to him"
Il never asked Anything from you
before he saia; and | am surprised
that you let me ask in vain"
Charley is such dear old friend,
she said 81 would not grieye him
for the world"
You prefer grieving mel" cried
Walter; and then more angry words
followed.
They were both to blame; Walter
for being so foolish as to indulge in
any such absurdity as jealousy of that
innocent child, and she for giving way
to the obstinate little bit of temper
SO new and strange in her. Wher
Walter spoke of returning home tha
| evening. she did not ask him 10 re
/ main. and so the foolish children, who
| loved each other better than anything
| in the world duarrelled, and each re
solved that the other should give way
first. have no doubt myself that this
silly trifie, weighing on Maggie's mind
had materially increased her illness.
| All this poor ,1alter told me. in q
broken voice.
| How foolish, how mad | wasl" he
said; but Magdalene-I loved her sc
dearly, and all these dreary weeks
have been longing for one word, only
one little word from her. feared
had offended her forever"
There came low knock at the door
of the room where we were sitting. Il
was the first time I had left my
sisters room for more than a few min
utes, but had felt so grieved for her
sad, lonely lover, that | could not re
frain from visiting him. had not
been away quarter of an hour when
the nurse sought ne.
Miss Isle" she said you had
better come back; It would be well te
send for the doctor do not like the
look of your sisters face"
cried aloud. Oh, Was II possible
the dread change had come at last!
| heard Walter rush off in search Of
DR. Ashe, When / stood again by
Maggie's side, knew the next hour
must settle my darling's fate; the
fierce, angry fever had burned itself
out now; it seemed to be the pallor OF
death that had covered her face
How will it be-" / asked, as the doc
tor held the wasted hand in his
81 cannot tell, 'he replied; "the next
hour win decide If she fe..s into a
| natural sleep she will have a chance