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

turned and left nc platform, md
strobe toward Newton Regis.
With long, regular steps he made
toward the village, his thick boots
ringing on he frost-bound road. the
smoke from his PIPE leaving ira
grant track behind lin.
Every now and then some fellow
wayfarer passed him and gave MIN
goodnight" and the grave, musical
voice returned the greeting courtousiy
For a man who had as he said
drained the draught of life, he was
rather young, and carr ed his youth
more in the stalwart, litheful figure
than in his face, for that was slightly
serious and haggard.
Every step he took was eloquent OF
the grace which belonged to youth
and the class whose bir5hright it is To-
command. AS for his outward man.
it was clad in stout, serviceableI
shooting Jacket of thick material;
he wore a soft felt hat, and his neither
limbs we're suitably terminated by a
pair of leather CATERS, and thick, use
full boots.
He was the sort Of man you do
no, pass without mental comment, and
as he strobe along the road, there
was something about the gait and
bearing which made you uncon-
sciousIy listen for the click and ring
Of armor, his step was so firm ana
commanding, and his face so clearly
and clearly GU.
AS he entered the village, the sum
was sinking behind the hill, and turn
ing to pale pink the snow lying on
the fore-court Of the Gaze House
Hot, flushed, painting Jeanne was
flying before ne foe
She had fought hard and long; had
contested inch by inch Of eer ground /
was covered with snow from head ;ol
foot, and had narrowly escaped q !
black eye. Quick as she had been mi
manufacturing her ammunition, and
dexterous in discharging it, Hal had
been too powerful for her: and now.
with her last snowfall in her hand, /
she fed with fawnlike fee. across the |
frozen lawn. and toward the shelter
Of the old elm that stood beside the |
small gate the back OF the hou @ /
Pelting after her, as hot and crimson
as herself, Hal painted:
Give in, DO you give in, Jen? he /
cried, raising his arm.
'No-nol" she painted, in return,
"Wait untiI I get ano her"
There was a moments silence then
both started.
F0ots cps sounded ii the road be-
hind the wall near which, pant NJ and /
GREATNESS. they were standing.
It's Mr. Bell" said Hal
as it? suppose so, said Jeanne. /
we must go in Come along and .
I'll brush YOU Aunt will be angry
wi h us, as you are all over snow"
SO are you" retorted the boy.
You've had the worst Of it. Look at
your hair"
How can l. you stupid boy?" re-
torted Jeanne; yes, it's Mr. Bell"
Poor Mr.. Bell" said Hal he'll
come in bleatng like a sheep, ana
wiping the snow off his spec .acles. /
Have you. prepared your studies,
Harry, my boy . Ha-ha--ha'" and +
Harry laughed loudly, Jeanne, l am
sorry to say, joining in.
Il wonder what he'd say If told |
him you and | had been having a SCI,
to at snowbalilng, instead of worrying
over Euclid | don't suppose he ever
had a snowballing in his life, Jeanne,"
and Hal stopped short, as if struck by
an inspira ion.
'Well?" asked Jeanne. making flu
tile attempt to shake the snow from
her hair
should like to give him snow
bali not a hard one like you and
have been making but good-sized
soft one that wouldn't hur him, but
just give him shock, eh?"
"All right" says Jeanne, with sub
lime carelessness, Il don't mind,
Don't mind!' echoes Hal. That's
all very well. You haven't the pluck
to do /. Yourself though"
Haven't 10" says Jeanne, with
daring smile.
No" he says, you'll run in and
watch me do it; and I shall get a
hundred lines as sure as eggs are
eggs"
No, you sha'nt, says Jeanne. stoop-
ing down and gathering up a huge
but soft SNOWFALL, I'm do it"
You Wilt" exclaims Hal, with un |
bounded admiration. You're a brick,
Jen! Look here, be quick! that one
will do Run around to the small gate,
and wait till he has passed: then
give it to him straight in the back
ha--ha!-and I'll wait in the hall and
brush him down. win you?"
"All right" says Jeanne. already |
making for the gate at which the
trades-peope enter. and which Mr.. |
Bell. the curate and Halls tutor, must
pass. I'll do it."
Bravo" says Hal BE quick
here he comes,"
With a bound Jeanne gains the side |
gate. opens it, and stands ready toI
spring out and deliver her harmless
but uncomfortable missile,
AS she stands, upright and erect !
with arm appraised and body like a
bow ready to deliver its arrow, the