Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-11-03
By CHARLES CARvICE

~
eyes are grayely set upon the Gins.
She does not once look toward Yer
non Vane, until a sudden gust blows
the sal straight against the mast. and
nearly sweeps the boat TO the waters
edge; then she says, quietly:
There's going to, be I storm"
II is only for a moment, but
Vernon Vane looks up at the sud
denly darkening sky and mods.
You know the coast?'' he says.
Yes says Jeanne. pushing back
her hat and grasping the helm; "once
we round the point we run before the
wind"
There is no hesitation in her voice,
and certainly no fear, though even
While she has been speaking, the sea
has grown lumpier and shows its
foam.teeth and the Nancy Bell neels
over to the waters edge.
Now we shall see her go!" ex-
claims Hal, excitedly. Jeanne VIII
show Mr.. Vane what the Nancy Bell
can dol"
"sit quiet" says Jeanne; Mr..
vans does not want to swim lack to
the cliffs"
The warning is not altogether un-
necessary, for every moment the wind
grows more fierce and the sky more
threatening.
Now, indeed, the Nancy Bell cleaves
through the water, riding over the
crested waves and splitting the foam
into two Kissing, angry currents. SUD
denly a big drop OF rain falls into
Vane's pipe; it is the commencement
of the shower. With the rain comes
darkness. and then both are SWEEP
away by a sudden gust of wind, which
reveals the cliffs frowning before
| them.
"Take care!' says Jeanne; shorter
the salt"
"Aye-aye!' says Vane, quietly, anC
then he rests his head on his arm
and looks at her. He knows that they
are now driving at a fearful pace
straight for the most dangerous coas
in England one false turn OF th'
helm, one falter of the little hands
that grasp it so firmly, and over the!
90 on to one of the jagged rocks Owe
which the sea breaks Increasingly
| But Jeanne's eye does not quail, mo-
/ her hands falter. With her soft, rec
lips set firmly. and her eyes all agloV
with excitement, she sticks to he
post.
THE channel must be narrow here,
saws Vane. crawling nearer to her,
Jeanne mods.
81 know it. am steering for tina
point there" and she mods TOWARD
the cliff opening.
But the next instant he calls t.
Hal:
Look to the sail!" and lays r
strong hand over hers. We ar
drawing too near on" he says, Il
that is the point. Let me help you.
Jeanne does not refuse. and shifts
her hands but his are still touching
them, and his face is close to hel
heart. Once, as she stoops down, hel
hair blown loosely by the wind
sweeps lightly against his cheek, ant
she feels his hand press more tightly
| on hers. She knows, too, that MS
eyes are fixed on hers. although she
does not look toward him, and there
is a strange throbblng at her heart
which troubles and bewilders' her
even in this intense moment and she
grows pale.
"Jeanne-Jeanne!' she hears him
whisper: "you are not afraid?"
Afraid? no. she replies, hall
turning her face to him with visit
full look. mo, not afraid
What them" he asks.
Jeanne looks around with dreamy
eyes, in which there is something OF
the startled expression of a wilt ami
NAL. when 1t first hears the cry of its
hunters. and feels that it will soon be
at bay"
Il do not know" she says, tremu-
lously. Il cannot hold the helm"
Leave it to me. Jeanne." he says,
and as he grasps the tiller with one
strong hand, he draws her downward
with the other. Leave it to me.
Jeanne"
Make for the point" she murmurs
in his ear, then sits with lowered
head that nearly touches his breast.
Straight on her course PUSHES the
Nancy Bell, watched by anxious eyes
from the shore. which strive to get a.
glimpse at Jeanne, and marvel at
missing her from her place. 1t is the
first time Jeanne has hinched from
her lost! What ails her? Is 1t fear
that caused her hand to slip from the
helm-tha, forces her TO sit so
meekly where he babe her?
Is It fear? Jeanne cannot tell. Be
fore her the cliffs loom as if in a
CHAPTER W.T.
dream; all she feels is the warm.
firm. yet tender grasp of the strong
arm-all she hears above the wind is /
the musical "Jeanne--Jea
So she sits. dropping like a rose
bent by the storm. until the Nancy
Bell with one impetuous leap, rushes
her keel upon the shore Then, as he
lifts her in his arms she hears his
voice softly in her ears
Jeanne, we are ashore"
And she--awakes.