Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-29

done? | might go to Africa, Dut az
not care a button for Africa and the
regeneration of the negroes. Besides
one can't go to Africa alone, and-for-
give re, CHARLIE want to be alone.
The train will be here in five min
utes," retorts Charlie, land then yor
will be alone. And candidly, old fel-
low, much as like you. l couldn
stand this hole"
1T isn't hole, and if it were, no
matter. It suits me. l want a good,
comfortable tomb for time"
BY Jove, you've got what you want,
then!" retorts Charlie, looking around,
with a shudder. "A more dead-and
alive place l never wish to see"
Il like it" responds the other. II
struck me the moment / saw it. But,
be just, this isn't the village OF New
ton Regisi"
Newton Regis" groaLs his com
panion. who ever heard OF 1t?
There isn't pack Of hounds within
twenty miles; there isn't decent
house in the place; there's ditch-a
river, then, If you like-but you can't
fish in the middle Of the winter, and
what on earth you are to do with
Yourself, Heaven only knows!'
Il shall sleep-rest, said the other,
with a grim smile Besides, you for
get; can amuse myself with my
brush. There's the sea. too, within
couple of miles, that will n AXE work
for the easel.
In winter" retorts tle other,
hinging his cigar away contemptu-
ously. You c ant go on painting
snow pieces and storm-beaten rocks
for three mcnths!"
"Wh, notY"
II don't know don't care I'm
out OF my mind over your obstinacy.
and that's fact. Here! when you
con 90 and spend your Christmas like
a Christian, where you like, you come
and bury yourself in this hole"
81 want to be buried" breaks in the
other fiercely: Il am sick of life as
have fond it; l have tried it thor
ough'y, youll admit"
You have gone the pace, yes" as
serts the other
Il have drained tho cup to Its dregs,
and am sick of the wine 20 loathlng.
Perhaps it's because I have d'ained
It. Some fellows sip and sip and
never tire-you are one Of those.
Charlie, but well, snatched the
cup trimming over and-draiued it.
| now fling it from me and retire.
efface myself, wipe myself out. /
have only one desire, and that is to
90 to sleep mentally and physically,
like Rip Van Wrinkle"
And, like him, to wake and find
yourself gray-bearded and aged,
stranger in a strange world that
knows you not, and which you do not
know Good gracious, Vane, you're
enough to drive a sane man mad"
Just so" asserts the other gu city,
''and that proves am no fit compan-
ion for sane men. That Is why ! Will
not go with you, Charlie. Leave me
leave me alone. Call me obstinate,
ldg-headed, what you viii; am re-
solved"
so 1t seems, retorts Charlie, rue.
fully.
And that being So you will help
me. cd fellow" continues the other,
more gently than he had hitherto
SPOKEN. Take this within, as you
have taken many a worse, one of mine,
in good part"
TITS all very well, but you can't be
expected 10 look on cheerfuly at your
friends suicide," gru.nbles Charlie.
His friend laughs short laugh, no;
unpleasant though curt and reluc-
tant.
Tut" he says, "go back and forget
me; I'm not worth remembering! Be.
lieve me Charlie. If any one could
move me from this-well. mad idea, If
you like-you could do 1t, but have
made up my mind, | and the world
are out of friends, as the children
say; I have played with it. eaten with
it. trusted 1t, and have found 1t hol-
low and \ bitter as Dead Sea apples.
Man delights me not, nor woman
either"
81 hope my train won't be late"
Forgive me. Charlie, and bear with
me. do not mean to wound YOU"
"All right" grumbled Charlie
ITO you alone can speak without
conceaiment. To you alone | have
conhded the secret of my hiding
place. my living tomb; can trust you
and knowT have trusted you----''
"Confound It, yes" broke IN his
companion. And you impose on my
stupid, sneaking fonduess for you
Seriously, old fellow. I'm awfuIly-
awfully sorry for you. l had no ides
you were so hard hit How should I
have known?"
How. indeed. seeing the manner OF
life lead" responded the other
NO" he went on, you were right 10
doubt. knowing what you knew.
whether there was any heart left In
me, But through II all / believed in
the purity Of woman. 1t was the on'v
faith had left, and centered 1t "a
her"
"Confound her" muttered his com,
panion.
Why? Why expect her to BE above
her kind? believed with all the
blind, trsLtng faith of a devo'ee; !
tested her--thanks to you. Charlie