Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-10-13
Continued

FOR lull mluulG JEdnAFs AoA NAS
first time in her life. is too shame
faced to look up; she almost fancies
that if she does she VIII see him put
his hand up to rub the snow from ais
neck, as he did last night. Is 1t pos
sible, she thinks, that he has not rec
ognized her? Perhaps not At last,
she ventures to glance at him. Calm
and serene he walks beside her, his
handsome, slightly-haggard face as
impressive as a Spanish hidalgo's,
Jeanne's heart rises a little, and she
takes another glance. Yes, 1t is the
same man, the same well-worn hunt
ing coat and boots, and he is walking
beside her and carrying her skates!
And last night she threw half a
pound of snow down the back of his
neck! 1t is just such a coincidence
as would ordinarily cause Jeanne to
laugh; but there is something about
the stalwart figure--a grave dignity
something about the handsome face,
with its grandly, alomst sady-set
gravity, which keeps the laugh in
check. So they walked on in silence
Presently he seems to awake or
arouse himself from reverie, and
looks down at the dog.
"He seems better" he says; per
haps he can manage to walk"
Jeanne makes movement to put
Master Terrier down, but he is far
too wise to allow Of any such proceed
ing, and bowls Immediately.
No, indeed, he can't, poor dog!''
saws Jeanne. 1T would be cruel to
let him try"
"You seem very fond of dogs" he
says, regarding her.
Il am" says Jeanne. But no one
could be SO heartless as to leave him
lying there In the snow"
DO you think the snow so very
terrible?" he inquiries, with polite
gravity
Jeanne colors her brightest carna
ton.
Il don't mind it myself; do you?
II is an insane question, because
it gives him his opportunity; but he
does not take it.
Not at all. he says.
Now, If Jeanne had been a woman
OF the world, she would have lei
things rest where they were. would
have chatted demurely about things
in general, and dogs in particular
would have skillfully steered clear Of
the snow topic until they reached the
park lodge; then she would have
taken her dog TO the keeper. regainee
her skates, politely thanked her cour
teous companion, aud let him drift
away. But Jeanne Is frank as g
child; concealment hangs on her as
heavily as the Man of the Sea die
upon Sindab, and, With her usual di
rectness, she says:
1T IL ve;y kind of you to carry my
skates Alternately occurred
vect, rday afternoon. am sorry.
bse'your pardon. 1t was a mistake
1t was | who threw the SNOWFALL al
you" she says at last, desperately
her face crimson and her eyes sci
with mingled defiance and contri
ton.
Il knew that" he says. with a quiet
smile, almost weary in his gravity.
Il didn't think you knew me again,
says Jeanne.
Il knew you in an instant" he re
spends. Pray don't think an more
about it. If l afforded you any amuse.
ment, l am quite content" There is
something in his tone and words
which irritates and exasperates
Jeanne. If there is one thing which
girl of seventeen hates more than
another, 1t is to be treated as a child,
and Jeanne resents his cool, not TO
say Indifferent, reception of her apol-
ogy.
But did not mean it for you,
she says, earnestly u did not know
1t was You who was coming"
Nor he says, looking at her with
the same con.emplatiye smile. May
one ask for whom YOU .ltended the
pleasant attention?'~
Jeanne hesitates a moment. She
would like to maintain q dignlhed ST
lence. but somehow this stulwart.
handsomefaced stranger seems to alb
sorb all the dignity himself. and, al.
most against her viii. she gays:
Il thought 1t was Mr.. Bell"
"And VITO may Mr. Bell be-" he
asks.
He is the curate-my brothers
tutor"
4 see" he says, stroking his mus,
tache The clergy are greatly re-
spected in Newton Regis"
Jeanne colors and looks angry.
He is very sood-natured.' she re-
torts, with significance. and would
not at all have minded"
And you think | am not good
natured, and that have taken it to
heart" he regions smiling at her
frightened lips and 5a!atily-wriullled
forehead.
IL think you consider that was
Fery-very rude and unladylike, I"
says Jeanne.
MY dear child" he begins,
aroused at last by her persistence to
something like earnestness On his
side.
.sr - - trs >, ~ 1