Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-10-20


know-has been there, there has al
ways been something going on, and
Jeanne gads up there almo~ 9yery
day"
Almost every day. echoes Vernon
vane; yes, have seen her pass"
And no wonder" says Hal; the
house is dull enough to drive anybody
away. Uncle John is always in his
laboratory, and Aunt Jane is always
in the kitchen. BY the way, sir,
Aunt Jane told me to ask you if you
would come up to tea tonight! I'd
almost forgotten it, because l knew
you wouldn't come-you never &C any
where, do you?"
NO" says Vernon vane.
And that axes your kindneFs in
taking h trouble over me all
the kinde., says Hal, sucking his
lead pencil and staring at the cliff;
but perhaps you won't mind just
coming in this evening"
Wen see" says Vernon Vane,
painting industriously. And so your
sister is always at the park"
Nearly always" answers Hal. and
no wonder! its dull enough at home. "
Gust so" says Vernon Vane.
u don't know why she should go so
much. though says the boy. Maud
and Georgina are not much company,
and the Honorable Mr. Fitzjames is an
awful fool"
$50 he isl" assents the artist, then
corrects himself quickly; at least, he
looks so"
But he's an Hon, and the cousin
of a duke, and that makes the differ
ence, 1 suppose"
81 suppose So" assents the artist
with a curt smile.
Both worked on in silence, during
which a girl figure, cad in blue serge,
descends the hill behind them, and,
unseen by them, swiftly approaches.
She stands, indeed, close behind the
artist before either knows that she is
near, and it is Hal who, looking up,
exclaims:
"Jeanne!" and so announces her
presence.
At Halls exclamation, Vernon Vane's
brush is suspended, and he looks
around.
A fairer picture than any cliff or
-ock can present meets his eye, for
Jeanne, flushed with her walk, and
radiant with her youth and buoyant
health. is beautiful indeed
Fer a moment she STANDS speech
less, gazing from the wet canvas to
the cliff which reflects; then she Gays:
How beautiful!
Vernon Vane looks first at her, then
at the white cliff and the sea break
ing wrathfully against it.
Eyes," he says, in his grave way.
Il mean your picture" says Jeanne;
that is what l call beautiful"
"And mean the cliff" he says, in
his dry tone.
Jeanne shakes her head.
Il did not know it was beautiful I'M
til I saw it there" and she points to
the wet canvas. Il saw you from
above and came down. Do you know
that it is nearly dusk-nearly blind
mans holiday? Have you not I'm
ished for toiay?"
Hal jumps up and closes his draw
ing-case: Vernon Vane leans back
and stares at his canvas.
Where have you been, Jen?" asks
Hal.
AT the park" answers Jeanne.
Always at the park" retorts Hal;
you nearly live there"
Jeanne looks at him abstractedly;
Vernon vane's eyes are on her tace.
You're always there" grumbles
Hal. what on earth you find to do
there, / can't conceive. Do you talk
about pills to old Lambton?"
Jeanne laughs.
Let me look at your drawing,
HALF"
She takes the pencil sketch from
the boys hands and looks at Vernon
Vane.
rs he getting on-does be learn?"
Vernon Vane mods.
Yes"
Jeannes eyes soften.
How kind of you to take so much
trouble with him-you. whose time is
so valuabIei"
i can well spare the time" he
says, quietly.
Then he rises and wipes his
brushes; Hal jumps to his ct to as
sist, and then they turn from the sea
zone forgets that it is winter on q
day like this, until the evening
comes" says Vernon Vane, looking
back at the clear sunset sky. Are
you well wrapped up Hal?"
Hal laughs.
Yes, sir; i've got my guernsey on
Cold can't get through that. It's bet
ter than a great-coat, though aunt
says l look like the London coster'
mongers. or one Of the fishermen here
at the Cliff"
Vernon Vane rests his hand on the
boys shoulder with a smile and Hal
rattlcs on from one subject to an
other; Jeanne walks in silence by
their side, occasionally glancing from
the handsome face Of the man to the
frank face of the boy.
AS they near the village one or
two persons pass them eeet Jeanne,
and touch their hats TO the artist.
Mr.. Vernon Vane has been a fort.