Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-11-17

in the breeze, and such unspeakabls
JOY in his soul as he had thought the
world could never give him.
"Oh, my darling" he murmurs, "and
have 7 found you at last when / had
given up in despair; have found the
one thing all my life has been set
upon, a true pure, trusting love-
for loves sake and mine alone? Oh,
Jeanne, my child-woman, my own!"
And as he spoke, Vernon Vane. the
grim, cynical recluse, seemed to
change; the hard, stern features soft
ened and grew young, the cold eyes
cleaned brightly, the rare smile lit
up the handsome face, and remained
there. II love had awakened Jeanne
and called her into life, 1t had given
new life to Vernon Vane.
And Jeanne-well, Jeanne was
afraid-actually afraid to face the
homeIy scrutiny of Aunt Jane; she
felt that her story was written on her
haIf-parted lips.
Il am so tired, Hal, tell them" she
said. and slipped by him up to her
own room.
Then the new Jeanne went to the
glass and looked at herself-looked
TIL she grew crimson, and covered
her face with her hands.
HE loves me-he loves mel" she
cried, sinking on her knees, and lay
ing her had upon her hand.
"Oh, let me think of it--how he
said it. 4 love you, Jeanne, love
you. But Is It true?' she breathed,
with sudden alarm. Where am L?
Have been dreaming? Oh, yes! but
mono, he said IL, and | can feel his
lips tremb,ingly, almost Reyerently.
yes. he kissed me! no one else
has kissed me like that. Yes, 1t is
love; / knew 1t the moment he wills.
pered: I love you! And he--he so
great and noble, so grand, loves me-
oh. what for-what for? why should
he? I am such a simple. poor, mlser-
able girl; and hel oh, it cannot be
tme-it cannot be true; and yet, I
love you, Jeanne, | love you!' He
said il, and it must be true!"
Jeanne fell asleep repeating these
magic words which she had heard for
the first time, and they were in her
ears when she awoke. The happy
sleep.long, poets say what they may
TO the contrary, and the sun was
streaming through the diamond case
ment window ere she stole down
stairs with a telltale blush on her
face, and the light in her eyes which
Vernon vane's kisses had called
there. To Jeanne there seemed
new light over the earth, that filled It
with a new beauty; she was half per-
suaded that the birds. fitting from
elm 10 elm, were rejoicing In her Joy.
We'll. child" said Aunt Jane. look
ing up from the coffee cups. Il
thought you were never coming down.
Were you so very tired last night?
What did you do-dance?'
mo-" said Jeanne, hiding her
flushed cheeks behind her cup;
there was no dancing, aunt, think. "
"You Think" echoed Aunt Jane.
BLESS the girl! don't you know
Well. you don't look any the worse
for your gay doings. And Mr.. vane
was there, after all? He Is getting
quite soclable Which of the girls did
he fall in Iowa with--eh? Maud or
Georgina?'
"I-I-dont think with either,
aunt" stammered poor Jeanne,
Hum! toe soon. suppose. I've
kept your breakfast warm for you,
and now l must so. Bless the girl,
what color she's got, she added.
and os she passed. she bent down
and kissed d." sweet, upturned face.
Jeanne wound her arms around the
old lady neck.
Aunt" she murmured. hesitatingly.
"Wen?" said Aunt Jane.
Nothing" replied Jeanne, exas-
peratingly
What is 1t you want? Something,
III be bound. What is 1t, child?'
Nothing in ali he world!" ex-
claimed Jeanne ferventy,
Aunt Jane stared, murmured "Bless
the child" again. and boited of toI
her dearly beloved kitchen. and
Jeanne was lef. with her secret un.
told. She finished her breakfast, and
being a healthy girl, although In love.
made hearty one, and then went
dutifuly to the piano; but scales we're
not to be thought of this morning. for
every one of them went to the tune of
Il love you. Jeannet" and before five
minutes had elapsed, she had caught
up her hat and was out in the garden.
There was room there to think and re-
alize; besides. she could see from the
arbor the corner of the road which
Vernon Yane would pass.
What would Aunt Jane say to him
when he came? Suppose they said
Ne" At this terrible idea Jeanne
turned pale--for q moment; what
should she do if they said MOI sud
denly there came the clatter of the
horses hoofs upon the road. and
Jeanne was wondering who it could
be, when they suddenly ceased. and a
mans footsteps were heard coming
around the garden path. Now he was
here. so near. Jeanne grew timid and
shy. and drew back within he arhor
to gain time. the footsteps grew
slower, then ceased. and Jeanne
with 81 sudden Araa3 iDsf he should