Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-01-09

nor disturbed; and as she would have
more cuse in the end for thanksgiving
than vindictiyeness. Jim had not
troubled his mind about her feelings.
But he found himself looking at her
ret Of her life was in his possession.
She had fallen in love with a man
when she was Is, nd because he had
changed his politics through convic-
ton. her father had sent him away.
IF only he had known how much |
cared!" she wrote on the later pages,
when the story had been partly un-
folded. HE thought | was cold. 1
let him think that, so that he might
not suffer as was suffering, and per-
bps have no more heart for the ca
reer that was so much to him. But
fterwsrd / was sick with sorrow for
what l had @G1 -afterward, when it
was too las u let him know"
When her father had died. on his
death bed he had given the daughter
permission to fall the man back.
But how CO Id do that?" she ask
ed her one eonfdante, that tried
friend of many years, her diary. "He
is great in the worlds eyes now. Even
if he thinks of me still. he might be-
lieve l turned to him because of his
splendid success, which would fiatter
my ambition. No, we are parted
forever-as hopelessly as If he were
married. And o, what l suffer in
the night sometimes, dreaming that
he is married"
On the last page she had written.
fifth Christmas since saw him. Peo-
pie think me SO happy. If they only
knew, now fathers dead and I've no
one near to live for, how gladly I'd
change with any factory girl who has
a right to love her lover. Always, al
way his face is in my mind. What
wouldn't l give to know if he ever
thinks of me! But maybe it's better
not to know. 1t might make the
heartache heavier. But | mustn't
dwell on thoughts of myself. This
is the time to think of others, and |
do try. | don't believe I've forgot
ten anybody. hope they'll like the
Christmas things. | took ever so
much trouble in choosing them all.
Strange, I'm sending a remembrance
OF the day to every one love. except
the one l love best l suppose it's
the little seal I've used to fasten up
the parcels which has bewitched me
into this bitter sweet mood of poign-
ant memories. l so seldom seal
things, therefore rarely have it in my
hands. But the last day we were
happy together lent it to him. How
well remember. He said if ever
wanted him TO come to me, and could
MT write, was to send the seal. That
was before We were sure what father
would say-before l guessed how
sternly he would forbid me to think
OF Jim Hepburn. I wonder would
Jim recognize that seal now? Prob.
ably not Well, it can do no harm
if in my heart wish him this year a
happy Christmas, as l have through
all the other sad, gray years without
| him"
That was the end. Dec. 20 was the
last date, and Jim Potter looked up
with start to find his partners hand
on his shoulder. Everything here's
packed up. Come along to the dining
ROOM said Dick, wholly good natured
again now in the light of success,
we may have bit more trouble
there"
Look here, old chap, out with
thoso Christmas presents she'd put up
ready to CO." commanded jim. "She's
a ripping g4ri. every way, and l can't
have her disappointed after all her
trouble for her friends and Christmas
time, and that on top of broken
heart"
You mean it?"
"You bet / mean it."
Then you're a sentimental ass"
Cant help it if I'm made So Whar
are you going to do about it?'
20, ! suppose you'll have your way
said Dick angrily.
SO the white parcels were all put
back on the desk, and the great
haul consisted only of some antique
odds and ends and some good old
silver. Also twisted gold seal
missed by Miss Dering in the discov-
cry made on Christmas morning. She
wondered why the thieves had taken
that and left the Christmas presents,
so obviously jewelry, but her wonder
was soon forgotten in the tremulous
shame of finding that the secret book
Of her heart had been broken open.
"a burglar surely wouldn't have
bothered to read it, though, of course,
she tried to console herself, Probably
he hoped to find something written
down which would show where other
valuables were kept. Luckily there
was nothing, and the burglar had his
trouble for his pains"
He had something besides. however,
If she had guessed-knowledge and
an excitement.
The twisted gold seal had gone Sc
cretly into his pocket, without a word
to Dick, who had regarded it as of no
Importance, and forgotten it. On
the morning of Christmas eve it had
been posted to James Hepburn. whom
Jim designated as his "namesake."
IF he remembers and cares about
her still. thatll fetch him." he said
to himself and was not surprised when
handsome man, keen eyed, with a
powder of silver on his dark hair.