Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-07-17
I Vualter's Wooin1
By Bertha NJ. Clay Z
By Bertha NJ. Clay

lmet mine with a glance full OF trust
and confidence. My father, who had
never been strong, did not long sur
vive her. He faded away slowly and
gently, without any serious illness or
violent pain. One morning when
went as usual to take him some tea,
| / found him lying with sweet smhe
on his cold pale lips, and | knew that
he had met my mother again and was
happy with her.
| was only % when that happened,
and with my baby sister / was alone
in the world. I felt that was young
to be the mistress of so large a place
as Fernside; only % with summer
bloom on my face, Uut my Hears vas
old within me. Every life has its
own story. and mine had been told
before my father died. | had heard
the death-knell Of every hope had.
| | had lived and loved; it was all over
now. end my secret was my own. l
knew l must live out my life and use
it we'll; and after sharp, bitter strug-
gle / did so. For he whom l had
loved chow dearly, no words can tell
was more than dead to me.
Every one was very kind to us In
our lonelineses. My dear father had
left all his money to me, and | was
to give Maggie half when she was
twenty-one. He had left Fernside to
be mine for life; for he knew that |
should never leave it for another
home.
When Maggie was five years old l
began her education. l let her run
wild until then, and from that hour |
devoted myself to tie task. had
had good masters myself, and for
some years was able to manage
without assistance; but the child be-
gan to exhibit a wonderful taste for
music and / resolved that she should
have the benefit Of further instruc-
ton.
Then the quiet routine Of our lives
was somewhat broken. Dark-bearded
professors came to Fernside, and a
sweet, rich voice was heard singing at
all times in the old walls. But no
voice ever moved me as Maggie's did;
it was so rich, so sweet, so full OF
passion, yet clear as the chimes of a
silvery bell, for had spent a small
fortune in its cultivation.
So my darling grew up beautiful
and good, as modest and innocent as
| the little violets under the hedge; in
deed that flower was a perfect type
of her. When she reached her
eighteenth year / do not think pref
tier, sweeter girl could have been
found in all the country side. There
was one peculiarly about her-she
was still in everything a perfect
child, simple and innocent Her lonely
and isolated life accounted in a great
measure for this. She had never
heard the language Of the world, end
literally understood nothing of it.
The charm Of guileless simplicity was
strong upon her Our library was a
very small and select one. Books in
those days were not so plentiful as
now. Ordley did not possess a circu-
lating library My little sister mad
not devoured love stories by the
dozen; and I doubt much If She knew
there was any love than mine.
| wonder often and long who would
gather this priceless flower of mine.
The time was drawing near when she
would be transplanted to another
home: but, fortunately for me, could
MOI fopoSao tho fIff11rp
When Maggie was Is, l relaxed the
strictly studious habits in which she
had been trained. For her sake
went again into society, and took her
with me- Ordley was large and
fiourishing town. There were many
good families there, who were only
too pleased to see US, and to visit at
/ Fernside. / began to give little par
ties. Gay voices and merry laugh.
ter sounded once more in my silent
home; but saw 10 one who was any
thing like the picture ] had drawn of
what Aagige's lover should be. The
gentlemen all admired her-she was
so fresh, and fair, and innocent; but
= as yet had not seen one to whom
would have given my darling. One
morning sine came to me, full of ex
citement.
'Deena," she cried, her large blue
; eyes flashing, what do you think!
Mrs. Hope is going to give ball
not little dancing party, you know
but a real ball; and Clara says we
shall both be invited. Only think OF
it,
She clasped her little hands to
gether in ecstasy, as though the
world held no greater JOY. Poor
child
viii you let me go?" she asked
anxiously.
Yes, my darlin5," I replied and
J, | will buy you the prettiest dress in
Ordley to go In"
She sighed in the fulness of her con
tent and happiness. I have some
, times thought that had known all
, that would spring from that ball.
might perhaps have been tempted to
have kept my little sister at home.
. CHAPTER ~
think the night | d. essed Maggie
for her first ball was one of the
proudest and happiest of my life.
had arranged a recherche toilette for