Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-08-26


Yes that is all, she said, @of
course. But it is strange DR.. Hamii-
ton doesn't get rid of it for him"
Perhaps he doesn't help the doc
tor" he retorted. Boys always are
careless about themselves. But don't
let Frank absorb all the converse
tion." he said. Let US talk of our
selves and he kissed her hand again
Yes" said Stella obediently.
He kept her hand in his and pressed
| it.
Il have come to speak to you to-
night Stella, about ourselves, darling.
| want you to be very good to mel"
She looked forward at the lighted
! voom with the same set expression,
waiting patiently, obediently, for him
to proceed. There was no response in
her face. He noticed 1.-THE never
failed to notice it, and it maddened
him. He set his teeth hard.
Stella, l have been waiting month
after month to say what l am going
to say now, but I couldn't wait any
longer, my darling. my owI. / wish
the marriage TO take place"
She did not start, but she turned
and 'ooked at him, and her face shone
whitley In the darkness, and he felt
faint shudder in the hand i'm
prisoned in his.
viii you not speak?" he said, after
moment. almost angry. because of
the tempest of passion and breathed
tenderness that possessed him. "Have
you nothing to say, or will you say
mo-? | almost expect it."
Il will not say no." she said, at
last, and her voice was cold and
strained. you have a right-the
right have given you-to demand
the fulfilment of our bargain"
Good Heaven" he broke in, pas
sionately. Why do you talk like this?
Shall never, never win you to love
me? VIII you never forget how we
came together?"
DO not ask me- she said, almost
pleaded, and her face quivered. I'm
deed-indeed, l try, try-try hard to
LCA e3CN NuC PcoAg anu W gtEdoE 9Ous
1t was piteous to hear and see her,
and his heart ached; but it was for
himself as well as for her.
DO you doubt my loye?" he said,
hoarsely. DO you think any man
could love you better than l do?
Does that count as nothing with you.
yes, yes she said, slowly, sadly.
st does count. I-I-"then she
looked down. why will you speak
of love between US" she said ASK
me-tell me to do anything, and
will do it, but do not speak of Lowell"
He bit his lip.
We'll" he said, with an effort, Il
will come. You cannot stand against
a love like mine. And you will let
our marriage be soon?"
Yes" she said. simply.
lie raised her hand to his lips, and
kissed it, hungrily, and she forced
back the shudder which threatened to
overmaster her.
BY soon,' he murmured, as they
walked toward the house, 81 mean
quite soon-before the winter"
Stella did not speak.
let it be next month, darling" he
murmured. Il s. ~ not feel sure or
you until iou are my very own. Once
you are nine beyond question, l will
teach you to love me-"
Stella looked at him, and a strange,
despairing smi'e. more bitter and sad
than tears, shone on her pale lips.
Teach her to love him! AS if love
could be taught!
81 am not afraid" he said answer
ing her smile mo one could with
stand it-not even you, though your
heart we're adamant."
at Is not that" she said, in a low
voice, as she thought of the dull ach-
ing which was its pittance by day and
night
They went into the house. Mr..
Etheridge was wandering about the
room, smoking his pipe, his head upon
his breast, buried in thought, as usual.
Frank was lying back in the old arm
chair; he looked YEARLY fragile and
delicate but the beautiful color shone
il his face.
He looked up and nodded as JAS
per entered, but Jasper was not sat
isfied With the nod. and went over
to him and laid hand upon his shout
der, at which the boy WINGED and
shrank family; he never could bear
Jasper to touch him. and always re-
sented it.
We'll, Frank" he said, with his
faint smile, "how's the cold tonight
Frank murmured something indis
tinctly, and shifted in his seat.
mot so well. eh?" said Jasper
ct seems to me that change would
do you good What do you say to
going away for a little while"
The boy looked up at Stella with
glance OF alarm Leave Stella,
Il don't want to go away" he said,
shortly Il am quite well. hate a
change"
Stella came up to his chair, and
lnelt beside him,
1T would do you good. dear, she
said. in her low, musical vsice.
He bent near her,
do you mean-alone--" b asked
Il don't want to go alore--I w.n't,
=, fact